Lyn Paul

Paul found great success, when she starred in the musical Blood Brothers, in the matriarchal lead role of Mrs. Johnstone. It was a part she debuted in 1997, and played regularly in the West End and occasionally on the National Tour, up to and including 2021. Paul starred in the show during its 10th anniversary celebrations and was also invited to play the role in Liverpool in 2008, when the city was given the title as the European Capital of Culture.^[9] Paul has received enormous personal and critical success in the show and in 2008 was voted the "undisputed Mrs J. of all time" by a Blood Brothers fansite^[10] as well as being awarded Best Actress in a Professional Production from the Alhambra Theatre Dunfermline.

In October 2012 Bill Kenwright announced that Blood Brothers was to close in London's West End after a 24-year run. For the final two weeks Kenwright put together his dream cast, including original cast members as well as those who appeared in the show on Broadway; he invited Paul back to reprise her role for one last time, an honour which Paul herself has acknowledged.

Most recently Paul reprised her acclaimed role for the 30th anniversary touring production of Blood Brothers, being hailed as the 'definitive Mrs Johnstone'^[11] and celebrating two decades association with the show.

Paul starred in the West End stage production of the

Paul joined the cast of Footloose – the Musical! in the West End 2007 National Tour company in the role of Vi Moore. After the six-month tour, the cast re-opened the show at the Playhouse Theatre, London on 17 August 2007.^[13]

In 2003, Paul performed in a new workshop musical called The Biz!, playing the part of Amanda Power, a theatrical

During the Christmas period of 2014 Paul joined the Tenth Anniversary production of the Cromer Pier Christmas Show — a traditional variety show including song, dance and comedy.

Personal life

During the 1970s Paul dated pop star Rod Stewart.^[16] In 1980, she had a short-lived marriage to Liverpool night club owner Vincent McCaffrey.^[17]

She is now married to Alan Young, with whom she has a son, Ryan. Between 2006 and February 2007, the couple ran a

Her sister is the West End actress and choreographer Nikki Belsher,^[18] with whom she performed alongside in Footloose – the Musical!.^[19]

Paul is a keen supporter of the Alzheimer's Society. (Her mother, Doreen Belcher, died from disease in 2010). In 2011, she produced a Calendar Girls-style naked calendar in aid of the charity, alongside her fellow female Blood Brothers cast mates. The calendar was endorsed by both producer of the show, Bill Kenwright and playwright Willy Russell.

Theatre and filmography (2000–present)

References