A new collection of plays from Willy Russell, one of Britain's best-loved dramatists, features the smash hits Blood Brothers, Our Day Out: The Musical and Shirley Valentine as well as the previously unpublished John, Paul, George, Ringo . . . and Bert. Blood Brothers: A Liverpudlian West Side Story, this is the story of twin brothers separated at birth because their mother cannot afford to keep them both. 'One of those rare exceptions, where a show continues to pack a punch after many years on the road and in the West End' - What's On Stage, (5 stars) Our Day Out: The Musical: Mrs Kay's 'Progress Class' are unleashed for a day's coach trip to Conway Castle in Wales - in an exuberant celebration of the joys and agonies of growing up and being footloose, fourteen and free from school. 'One of those truly magical theatrical experiences that should very definitely not be missed' - Stage Shirley Valentine: The story of a put-upon mother and housewife who leaves the drudgery of cooking dinner for her husband, packs her bags and heads for the sun. 'Shirley is the star of her own monodrama, her gabbing made theatrical in a stream of stories and impersonations that are rooted in essential loneliness and reaction against domestic frustration . . . memorable and joyous' - Independent John, Paul, George, Ringo . . . and Bert: Russell's first major hit, a musical about the Beatles, won the Evening Standard and London Critics' awards for Best New Musical of 1974. 'Why has no-one done it before? Perhaps only a scouser like Willy Russell could have the self-confidence to tackle Liverpool's great phenomenon . . . it's funny, incisive, well-acted and makes its points without any arty philosophising' - Time Out. Willy Russell Plays: 2 features an introduction from the playwright.

ウィリー・ラッセルの戯曲集は、リヴァプールの土着的な息吹と、過酷な現実を笑いに変える不屈の精神が凝縮された傑作です。格差や閉塞感という重いテーマを扱いながらも、言葉は驚くほど軽妙で、生きる喜びを肯定するエネルギーに満ちています。単なる悲喜劇に留まらず、運命やアイデンティティという普遍的な問いを投げかける筆致は、読む者の魂を激しく揺さぶります。 特にブラッド・ブラザーズの数奇な運命や自己解放を描く物語は、活字で追うからこそ、台詞の背後に潜む孤独や渇望がより鮮明に立ち上がります。ト書きの一行に宿る情熱とリズミカルな台詞回しがもたらすカタルシスは、読書の枠を超えた演劇的興奮を約束するでしょう。現状を打破したいと願うすべての人に贈る、至高の文学的至宝です。