Willy Russell Willy Russell William Russell (born 23 August 1947) is an English dramatist, lyricist and composer. His best known works are "Educating Rita", "Shirley Valentine", "Blood Brothers" and "Our Day Out". Russell was born in Whiston in Lancashire. On leaving school, aged 15, he became a ladies' hairdresser eventually running his own salon until the age of 20 when he decided to try to go back to college, eventually qualifying as a teacher. During these years Russell also worked as a semi-professional singer, writing and performing his own songs on the then flourishing and vibrant folk scene. At college, he began
Amanda Muggleton all the State and commercial theatre companies. On stage, her performances with State theatre companies include "Privates on Parade", "The Matchmaker", "The Seagull", "Shirley Valentine" (MTC), "Master Class", "Nicholas Nickleby", "The Rise and Fall of Little Voice", "Soulmates" (STC), "Duet for One", "The Winter's Tale", "Gigi", "We Were Dancing" (QTC), "Twelfth Night", "Blithe Spirit" (SATC), "Educating Rita", "Medea" and "Shirley Valentine" (Hole in the Wall, Perth). Muggleton's commercial credits include "HMS Pinafore" (Essgee), "Hello Dolly" (The Production Company), "The Book Club", "Master Class" (ICA), "Annie" (GFO/SEL/Macks), the original "Steaming" (Morley, Davis), "Eureka!" (Essgee) and "Losing Louis" (Ensemble Theatre). Muggleton has