One of the most-produced writers of his time, Willy Russell is a playwright and songwriter. He has written a large number of highly successful plays and musicals for stage and TV, and his novel, The Wrong Boy, was published to great acclaim in 2000.Ros Merkin is Reader in Drama at Liverpool John Moores University.

Undoubtedly the most exciting thing to have happened to the English musical theatre in years.

• COMMENTARY Themes (class; nature versus nurture; childhood and growing up; friendship; superstition; fate; dreams) Characters and characterisation Motifs Context Dramatic technique and style Critical responses Other work by the playwright Activities and discussion points Interviews

One of the most-produced writers of his time, Willy Russell is a playwright and songwriter. He has written a large number of highly successful plays and musicals for stage and TV, and his novel, The Wrong Boy, was published to great acclaim in 2000.Ros Merkin is Reader in Drama at Liverpool John Moores University.

Undoubtedly the most exciting thing to have happened to the English musical theatre in years.

• COMMENTARY Themes (class; nature versus nurture; childhood and growing up; friendship; superstition; fate; dreams) Characters and characterisation Motifs Context Dramatic technique and style Critical responses Other work by the playwright Activities and discussion points Interviews

One of the most-produced writers of his time, Willy Russell is a playwright and songwriter. He has written a large number of highly successful plays and musicals for stage and TV, and his novel, The Wrong Boy, was published to great acclaim in 2000.Ros Merkin is Reader in Drama at Liverpool John Moores University.

Undoubtedly the most exciting thing to have happened to the English musical theatre in years.

• COMMENTARY Themes (class; nature versus nurture; childhood and growing up; friendship; superstition; fate; dreams) Characters and characterisation Motifs Context Dramatic technique and style Critical responses Other work by the playwright Activities and discussion points Interviews