RARE Productions is to present its first non-musical production at the Sandpit Theatre in St Albans next week – Willy Russell’s original version of Blood Brothers.

Originally written as a school play in 1982, the story concerns the Johnstone twins who were separated at birth. Their lives follow hugely different paths, one privileged and one descending into a life of crime. They become unlikely friends as teenagers and meet up again years later and ultimately discover their true relationship – with tragic consequences. The more famous musical version has only recently closed in the West End after a record-breaking 24-year run.

The play will be performed by the RARE Productions’ interns – a group of four talented young people who are furthering their experience and knowledge of the theatre for a year before going on to drama college and a potential career in the performing arts.

“They’re a very lively group,” laughs director and RARE’s co-founder Andrew Burton. “We’re doing a non-musical production because we wanted them to get a broad spectrum of experience during their internship.

“We’ve given the interns a bit of a say about what they’re doing because they’re so into it, they’ve researched it and they’ve really added to it. They’ve all been really positive about it – they’re like four really excited puppies!”

The four interns are Sam Flowerdew from Hemel Hempstead who plays Eddie, Jack Hamilton from Stevenage who plays Mickey, Lydia Wilcock from Chesham who plays the mother, and Katie Hensley who plays Mrs Lyons from Stevenage.

  • Blood Brothers is at the Sandpit Theatre, The Ridgeway, St Albans on Saturday, December 15 at 3pm and 7.30pm. Details: 01727 370067, www.sandpittheatre.co.uk