The iconic musical Blood Brothers is heading to Cambridge Arts Theatre in August, telling the story of Liverpudlian twins who lead vastly different lives.

Blood Brothers, by Willy Russell, is the 'captivating and moving' tale of fraternal twin brothers Mickey and Eddie.

The brothers were separated at birth, with Mickey raised in a poor family and Eddie in a wealthy family.

Once the pair discover each other, disaster and tragedy ensues.

Originally written in 1981 as a school play, the show opened as a professional production at Liverpool Playhouse in 1983.

Transferring to the Lyric Theatre in London and embarking on a UK tour in 1984, the musical has since enjoyed numerous tours across the world and successful runs on both Broadway and the West End.

Blood Brothers has won multiple awards over the years, including the 1983 Olivier Award for best new musical, the 1993 Drama Desk Award for outstanding featured actor in a musical and the 1998 Olivier Award for best actor in a musical.

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The 1991 West End run of Blood Brothers surpassed 10,000 performances, making it the third longest-running musical to ever play in the West End.

It has also been affectionately christened the 'standing ovation musical', as according to the Daily Mail it inevitably "brings the audience cheering to its feet and roaring its approval".

The play has been described as "dazzling" by the Sunday Telegraph, while the Sunday Times described it as "exhilarating...one of the best musicals ever written".

Meanwhile The Spectator said it was "triumphant, unmissable and unbeatable".

Willy Russell's other notable works include Educating Rita, which was turned into a film in 1983 starring Julie Walters and Michael Caine, Shirley Valentine and Our Day Out

Performances will be held at Cambridge Arts Theatre from Tuesday, August 1 to Saturday, August 5.

From Monday to Saturday performances will take place at 7.30pm, with matinée performances at 2.30pm on the Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Tickets range between £25 and £50, and all ticket prices include a £3 booking fee.

To book call the box office on 01223 503333 or visit www.cambridgeartstheatre.com.