PAArts talks to Blood Brothers’ star Niki Evans.

Jul 1 2011 by Alison Anderson, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

NO-ONE can be more familiar with the moving character of Mrs Johnstone than hard-working musical theatre star Niki Evans.

Niki (38) has reprised many times this pivotal role in Willy Russell’s powerful Blood Brothers, which is set to have Perth Concert Hall audiences laughing and crying from Monday, July 11, until Saturday, July 16.

Blood Brothers is a captivating and moving tale of twin boys who, separated at birth, grow up on opposite sides of the tracks, only to be re-united by a twist of fate and a mother’s haunting secret.

Since it was premiered in 1983, winning the Olivier Award for Best New Musical, Blood Brothers has become one of the West End’s longest-running musical productions in history, as well as wowing audiences on UK tours, on Broadway and around the world.

The central role of Mrs Johnstone has been played by singing stars such as Barbara Dickson, Stephanie Lawrence, Kiki Dee, Lyn Paul, four of the Nolan sisters (Linda, Bernie, Denise and Maureen), Mel C – and former X Factor contestant Niki who, unlike most of the talent-seeking programme’s wannabes, has seen her career flourish.

Niki has played Mrs Johnstone in both the West End and the touring productions – and she told PA Arts she would much rather be ‘on the road’ than on the London stage.

“I did the West End show for 18 months and to be honest I didn’t like it too much. It was a bit like clocking in and out every day.

“People thought I was mad when I said I wanted to get out of the West End and go on a tour.

“I find it’s so much more friendly and the audiences are more down-to-earth, much like myself and Mrs Johnstone!

“And the current cast is amazing. I’ve gone from one Blood Brothers cast to another and this one is like travelling around with family.”

Niki explained how she feels her success in this iconic role is partly because of the similarities between her own life and Mrs Johnstone’s: “Mrs Johnstone is just a normal, hard-working woman from Liverpool, and that’s how I see myself, except that I’m a Birmingham girl. I have cleaned toilets, worked in a kitchen and struggled on a low income to bring up kids.

“My life is easier now because my two sons are older, but I’m still a hard-worker and down-to-earth sort of person.”

Niki is certainly one of the X Factor success stories. She made it through to the show’s semi-final in 2007, and walked straight in to Mrs Johnstone’s shoes: “Bill Kenwright (theatre producer) saw me on X Factor and offered me the part. I’d never seen Blood Brothers or been in musical theatre, but a week later there I was on the West End stage playing Mrs Johnstone.”

Since then Niki has dipped in and out of the production. “It would be hard to find a role as good as Mrs Johnstone but I want to give audiences my best so I’ll come in for six month stints.

“I’ve been offered parts in quite a few musicals but I’ve turned them down because none was a good as Mrs Johnstone.”

Niki has a panto stint later this year then she’ll blow the dust off Mrs Johnstone’s pinafore for more reprises of her favourite character: “I love playing Mrs Johnstone and never tire of the songs. I’ll probably still be playing her when I’m 60.”

Tickets for Blood Brothers are available from the box offices at Perth Concert Hall and Perth Theatre, telephone 01738 621031, and online www.horsecross.co.uk