Bill Kenwright’s critically-acclaimed musical, Blood Brothers, is set to move audiences in Aylesbury next week.

Blood Brothers tells the moving story of twin boys separated at birth, only to be reunited by a twist of fate and a mother’s haunting secret. The award-winning musical includes the memorable songs A Bright New Day, Marilyn Monroe and the emotionally charged hit Tell Me It’s Not True.

The star cast includes Marti Pellow as the narrator for a limited time, as well as Maureen Nolan who reprises her role as the tragic Mrs Johnstone.

Maureen, who is perhaps best known as the longest serving member of legendary girl band, The Nolans, is the fourth sister to play the role of Mrs Johnstone, an achievement which earned her and her siblings a place in the record books.

“Three of my sisters have played this role before me, so I had seen the play 18 times before I took on the role and I absolutely loved it. I hadn’t even really got into acting at that point. I eventually diverted into acting and then in 2005 I was asked to audition for Blood Brothers and I've been in and out of the role since 2007. I love playing Mrs Johnstone.”

So what is it about the award-winning musical that keeps her coming back to the leading role she has played for years?

“This is the best experience you can possibly have at the theatre. It’s a fantastic story. A lot of people, particularly men, might say they don’t like musicals, but I really think this is more like a play with music instead of your typical musical. There will be lots of laughing and lots of crying, it’s just a really great story.”

Maureen admits that the challenging role of Mrs Johnstone is a great one to play. 

“My character is a single mother of seven children and she finds out she is expecting again. She can just about cope with one more baby, but then she discovers she is pregnant with twins, so she decides to keep one of the twins and give the other away.

“Mrs Johnstone is funny and feisty and very strong. She’s completely dedicated to her kids and very maternal. She gets to sing some beautiful songs; it’s a great part to play.”

Maureen finds it hard to choose a favourite part in the show, but one particularly powerful and emotional scene sticks out in her mind.

“I have so many favourite parts in the show, but the doorstep scene always sticks out in my mind. I don’t want to give too much of the storyline away but it’s really sweet. Up to that point, she’s been a bit fiery with him but at this point, it’s like he falls in love with her and it’s a really nice scene.

“And I love the part where I sing Light Romance, it’s a really wonderful song.”

The latest tour of Blood Brothers began in Sheffield on 13 January and Maureen is much more comfortable with touring now than she used to be and a tight-knit cast is one of the reasons why.

“I really enjoy touring so much more now than when The Nolans toured. Back then, we would do massive tours with one night shows so we didn’t really get to see any of the towns we performed in. This time round, a few of the cast usually hire a cottage together and we stay there while we’re in a town performing, so I quite enjoy that aspect of touring and seeing each place that I'm in.

“The rest of the cast are amazing, I've known some of them for years. Some of them have been on the tour with me for up to 10 years, like Sean Jones, who plays my son Mickey. He’s amazing; he’s one of the best Mickey’s I've ever performed with. They’re all such lovely people.

“There’s something about Bill Kenwright, he just seems to choose lovely people in his shows. We’re like a family; we all support each other.”

Growing up as part of a musical family paved the way for a career in show business for Maureen, who has been performing on stage with her sisters since she was nine.

“My parents were professional singers so I just sort of fell into performing. To us, it was a normal way of life. It was only when I had my own son that I realised it wasn’t. You know, [my sister] Bernie was on stage from the age of two. It was like we were destined to sing and perform.”

Despite beginning her career in the music business, Maureen is keen to delve further into acting.  

“I really, really enjoy what I'm doing; I get to do singing and acting which I love. I have come to love acting and I really enjoy it, so I haven’t missed the singing at all. TV acting would be a great thing to get into so I can explore different avenues.”

After performing in front of thousands of people over the years, Maureen admits that she doesn’t get nervous on stage anymore, despite being fully aware of the terror of performing in front of a live audience.

“Performing on stage can be terrifying as well because if something goes wrong, you just have to plough through it. I think my past in the music business has helped me deal with that though. The audience love live shows because they know that something can go wrong at any minute. It is terrifying but that’s also the joy of it.

“I don’t really get nervous going on stage anymore. In Blood Brothers, when I go on stage, I'm there for a solid half an hour. I get a little edgy but it’s more excitement than nerves because every audience is different, but that is what I love about it.”

Maureen is certain that the moving play will resonate with every person in the audience in some way.

She said: “Trust me when I say it will be a night you will remember. It’s a fantastic play and something you should see in your lifetime. People love the show; they come over and over again. There are some parts of the show that everyone can relate to. The story is about the class structure; there are people who grow up with nothing and there are people who grow up with a privileged life.

“The play highlights the difference between rich and poor, which is prevalent even today, so everyone can relate in some way.”

Blood Brothers comes to the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre on 23 February until 28 February. Tickets are £10 to £37.50 when booked in person at the Box Office (£12.90 to £41.40 when booked online or over the phone). Book in person, via www.atgtickets.com/aylesbury or call the box office on 0844 871 7607.