Blood Brothers, the musical.

I am glad to inform you that Niki Evans will be returning to the role of Mrs. Johnstone in Blood Brothers, in London. She will return on 27th April, 2009 and will run through to late September.

Niki Evans Interview. (22nd/5/'09).

Well, I heard that the audition process was like a rollercoaster ride for you. How did you feel when you got the role, and how did the audition go?
Niki - I sang the wrong song, but they didn't seem to mind too much as they gave me the job! I was up against a well known singer from a group. I found out I had got the job on the day of my single launch. When I got the job I just felt confused! I didn't expect to get it, I went to the audition for the experience!

On your opening night, can you remember how you felt?
Niki - No I can't remember!

Did you see anyone else in the role? Did they have an influence on you? Did you know much about Blood Brothers?
Niki - I saw Lyn Paul in the role - I took over from her. She didn't influence the way I play Mrs J. but Barbara Dickson did. I didn't know anything about Blood Brothers before I went for the audition.

Other cast members have said that the show is challenging, physically and emotionally. Would you agree?
Niki - I don't find it physically challenging but I do find it mentally challenging, yes. Especially singing "Tell Me Its Not True". I know some of the cast do find it physically AND mentally challenging, like Karl here.

(The conversation turns to Karl Greenwood who says - Yes, when I play Mickey there is a lot of running around in the part where I play a 7 yr old. That is very physical, and when Mickey ages the emotional part kicks in).

How do you cope being away from your family?
Niki - I don't. It's very hard.

After over 6 months in the role, how do you keep it fresh, 8 shows a week?
Niki - Each show is different so to me its always fresh. Each audience responds in a different way too. It also depends on how you feel yourself inside each day too - if I am a bit down that can change how I play it, and if I am really happy I have to tone things down to play the part.

And finally, how does it feel to be added to a long list of stars, such as Petula Clark, Carole King, Barbara Dickson, Kiki Dee, Helen Reddy, Marti Webb, Stephanie Lawrence and The Nolan Sisters to have played this role

I haven't really thought about that to be honest.

I read somewhere that the cast played to a tiny audience of.... 5 - have you? lol

Niki - NO! (Karl Greenwood says "A HUNDRED and five maybe" laughing at the same time).

Interviewed in London by Debs Moyce on 22nd May 2009.

For some new photos of Niki Evans and the later 2008 London cast go to Craig Price Photography at http://www.craigpricephotography.com/photos/index.php?album=Production+Photography%2Fproduction-photography .

Having came fourth in 2007's The X Factor, Bill Kenwright was searching for Niki for a while, as he thought  that she would make a brilliant Mrs. Johnstone. She has an excellent voice, and her acting and Liverpudlian accent is really good as well, considering this is her first West End acting job. Having done a couple of weeks in the West End, she then transferred to do the Birminagham leg of the tour for 2 weeks, to thank all of her fans and to play her home town. On November 3rd, 2008, she officially started her 6 month run in the West End.

 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7701075.stm .