Denise Nolan 2011

I have been fortunate to have worked in lots of Summer Shows, Tours, West End Shows - you name it! I wanted to pay particular attention to Blood Brothers on the one hansd and all the other shows on the other. I joined Blood Brothers in 2002 and stayed there for 4 years. I was in the West End for almost a year and then on the tour for the remaining three years. I have put the pictures from the show together as well as some of the reviews I received. There isn't much of a show synopsis, because either you know it already or you should!! However, I was asked to rejoin the show a year or so ago and after initailly saying yes I then backed out. It was the right thing to do as I have many happy memories of the show and I am proud of my time with it. But as they say - don't look back - onward and upwards!! We are constantly adding bits and bobs to the 'Other shows' bit. this is a very hard task as there are som many pictures and so few hours in a day - We have more than 10,000 pictures that we are working on scanning, and cataloguing - so please bear with us. I do hope you enjoy what we have put together so far.

Denise Nolan starred as Mrs Johnstone in Willy Russell's Blood Brothers for almost 4 years. She appeared in London's West End for 8 months before joining the company on the UK National Tour. She appeared at major venues for almost four years. She was nominated for several awards and even entered the Guinness book of records along with three of her Sisters. Denise, Bernie, Linda and Maureen all took the same role making them the largest number of siblings to have starred in the same part in a professional production of a show. Denise was widely praised for her portrayal of the part. Listed are some reviews

BLACKPOOL GAZETTE

The standing ovation and the tears told it all the former came from the audience the latter came from the star of the show. Clearly overcome with the emotionally draining role of the tragic Mrs. Johnstone in Willey Russell's award winning and timeless musical. Denise Nolan appeared to be genuinely sobbing her heart out as the final notes of "Tell me it's not true" faded and the lights dimmed for the curtain to fall. Denise seems to somehow sum up the utter hopelessness of the Liverpool Mum's plight. The night belonged to the pinafored Denise Nolan who captured perfectly the pathos of a woman not only struggling with what life throws at her as well as what the Gods have in store for her.

BRADFORD GAZETTE

Denise Nolan (pictured) as Mrs Johnstone captures the warmth and vulnerability of a woman who identifies strongly with Marilyn Monroe yet lives, initially at least, in a Liverpool slum.

UK THEATRE REVIEWS

As Mrs Johnstone, Mickey’s downtrodden but loving mother, Nolan is terrific. Throughout the performance she maintains a perfectly measured Scouse accent, and commands the attention of the audience with an anguished and emotional performance. It’s almost impossible to find chinks in her performance armour.

BBC OXFORD

Mrs Johnstone, played wonderfully by Denise Nolan, along with Christopher Warburton and Daniel Fine as Mickey and Eddie the twins, head an incredibly strong cast.

IPSWICH EVENING NEWS

She delivers the famous closing song "Tell me it's not true" with raw, heart rendering intensity. An outstanding performance in an unmissable show. With her strong voice she can sing in a whisper and the whole audience hangs on to her every word.