WHENEVER the name Willy Russell is associated with a production, you know you're going to be guaranteed an evening of quality entertainment.

Blood Brothers - like Russell's other best-known plays, Educating Rita and Shirley Valentine - offers an extremely palatable blend of humour, pathos and convincing characterisation. Something of a phenomenon in the world of modern musical theatre, the show has now been running in the West End for 12 years.

It tells the moving story of twin boys who are separated at birth but later reunited by a twist of fate. The heart-tugging tale is accompanied by some great songs, including A Bright New Day, Marilyn Monroe and Tell Me It's Not True. The perfect feelgood pre-Christmas treat.

December 3 -14, The Mayflower, Southampton. Box office: 023 8071 1811.