"One of the best musicals ever written", Blood Brothers, is coming to Dartford as the first musical to play at Orchard West.

With former X-factor finalist Niki Colwell Evans returning as the iconic Mrs Johnstone, Blood Brothers will be showing at the Orchard West Theatre from Wednesday, April 3 until Saturday, April 6.

The much-loved musical performed to sell-out houses on its recent UK tour and returns with gusto.

Niki Colwell Evans first rose to fame in 2007 when she reached the semi-final of series 4 of The X Factor UK mentored by Louis Walsh.

Written by award-winning playwright Willy Russell, few musicals have been received with such acclaim as the multi-award-winning Blood Brothers.

Considered “one of the best musicals ever written”, Bill Kenwright’s Blood Brothers surpassed 10,000 performances in London’s West End, one of only three musicals ever to achieve that milestone.

It has been affectionately christened the “Standing Ovation Musical”, as inevitably it “brings the audience cheering to its feet and roaring its approval” (Daily Mail).

This epic tale of Liverpool life started as a play, performed at a Liverpool comprehensive school in 1981, before opening at the Liverpool Playhouse in 1983.

The musical has since triumphed across the globe, completing sell out seasons in the US, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Japan, and scooping up four awards for Best Musical in London and seven Tony Award nominations on Broadway.

The superb score includes A Bright New Day, Marilyn Monroe and the emotionally charged hit Tell Me It's Not True.

Blood Brothers tells the captivating and moving tale of twins separated at birth, who grow up on the opposite sides of the tracks, only to meet again with tragic consequences.

The Orchard West theatre is just a two minute walk from The Orchard theatre, and has amenities such as a bar, toilets and a huge auditorium which holds 1,091 people.

The Orchard Theatre in Dartford was forced to close after a survey found concerns with the theatre’s RAAC panels.

The venue also supports the continuing employment of the theatre team, visiting artists and backstage crew - plus many local businesses in the surrounding area who rely on footfall from theatregoers.