Performing in her favourite role in her favourite musical and hinting at another Nolans reunion tour, Maureen Nolan could not be in a happier place. She told Chris Price why Blood Brothers is a tragic story any mother can relate to.

Giving away your baby is an awful thing to do but it doesn’t make you the mother from hell, according to Maureen Nolan.

It is the moral dilemma faced by Mrs Johnstone in Blood Brothers and has kept Maureen coming back to the role year after year.

The show follows two fraternal twins, who are separated at birth after their poor single mother is forced to give one away because she cannot afford to add two babies to her brood of seven children.

Splitting the pair has tragic consequences in Willy Russell’s musical, but Maureen empathises with Mrs Johnstone, who she bases on her own mother.

"We grew up in Dublin and my mother had eight children with no money," said Maureen, who had a string of hits in the 1980s with the Nolan Sisters including I’m In The Mood for Dancing.

"The way Blood Brothers is written means every mother thinks ‘oh God, what else would you do?’ Some of her children were about to be taken off her anyway because social services were worried Mrs Johnstone couldn’t manage, even though she loved them. When she was expecting twins and a woman says ‘give one to me and you can see him every day’ I don’t know what I would do in the same situation.

"Any mother in the audience who comes up to me says they are heartbroken for her. I love Mrs Johnstone. That is why I enjoy playing her so much."

That last sentence is no understatement. Maureen had already watched the play 18 times before she first appeared in it. In this production she appears alongside ex-Wet Wet Wet frontman Marti Pellow, who plays the Narrator.

"The show has got great comedy, tragedy, great music and a great storyline," she said. "I couldn’t ask for more and the part I play is a funny, strong woman and I get the chance to sing eight great songs. Also, it is brilliant writing by Willy Russell.

"It is my all time favourite musical. It has got everything."

Maureen became the fourth Nolan sister to play the part, following Bernie, Denise and Linda, earning them a place in the Guinness Book of World Records in 2007. She has only been acting since 2004 and is still very modest about her on-stage credentials.

"Bernie paved the way for the rest of us," said Maureen. "She left the group and got into Blood Brothers first. We thought if she can do it, then we can.

"Before, I had never really thought about it. I didn’t know whether I could do it. None of us are trained actors, but when Bernie did it very well, I thought there was no harm in giving it a go. I suppose it is an easy transition in some respects. I am still learning, but I am doing so alongside some great actors."

Even if the acting work dries up, Maureen hinted there could be another reunion tour for the Nolans, after 2009’s UK and Ireland tour was such a success.

"There is talk about doing another one," she said. "I hope that comes off. That was the best ever. It was pure fun. Pure cheese and pure camp but really fun."

Celebration for star

Returning to Kent has given Maureen a number of things to look forward to.

She remembers having fun in Canterbury and at Rochester’s Dickens Festival in the past and she has a cousin who lives in Sidcup coming to see her in Tunbridge Wells.

Most importantly, she will be performing in Tunbridge Wells on her 58th birthday on Thursday, June 14.

She said: “We’ll try to organise a company meal out.

“You have got to be careful, though. I’m not a great drinker and I cannot bear hangovers.

“Playing this part is pretty hard physically so I have to be careful, but I’ll have a few.

Blood Brothers runs at Tunbridge Wells’ Assembly Hall Theatre from Tuesday, June 12, to Saturday, June 16. Tickets £15 to £31. Box office 01892 530613.