"X Factor" Finalist Niki Evans to Join Blood Brothers in London | Playbill

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News "X Factor" Finalist Niki Evans to Join Blood Brothers in London Niki Evans, a finalist of the fourth series of the British version of "The X Factor," is to take over as Mrs. Johnstone in the West End production of Willy Russell's Blood Brothers, now in its 21st year at the Phoenix Theatre.

Evans — herself a mother of two from Birmingham — first started singing at the age of 13. In 1990 she toured as a solo singer with pop stars Sonia, Lonnie Gordon, Big Fun and Yell. In 1992 she married and had two children, and in 1999 made her first TV appearance on the BBC series "Star for a Night." She took a further break from the industry after this, returning to audition for "X Factor" in 2007, and making it to the show's semi-final, where she placed fourth. Since then, she has performed with John Barrowman at Birmingham's Symphony Hall, sung alongside Kim Wilde and Heather Small at a concert in Dubai, and appeared as a special guest of Jasper Carrott on his Christmas Rock With Laughter show at the NEC. Her debut single "Love Me No More" was released recently. Evans will make her Blood Brothers debut in the touring version of the show in her native Birmingham for two weeks from Oct. 20, before beginning a six-month run at the Phoenix Theatre from Nov. 3. Marti Webb, the West End veteran who is currently playing the role of Mrs. Johnstone on the tour, will return to London to play Mrs. Johnstone for the two weeks that Evans is in Birmingham, before rejoining the tour from Nov. 3.

The role of Mrs. Johnstone, the mother who has twin sons but gives one away to her wealthy employer to raise, has previously been played by Kiki Dee, Barbara Dickson, Petula Clark, Lyn Paul, Siobhan McCarthy, and four of the Nolan sisters — Linda, Bernie, Denise and Maureen. The show is directed by Bob Tomson and Bill Kenwright.

To book tickets, contact the box office on 0870 060 6629, or visit www.theambassadors.com/phoenix.

 
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