Blood brothers - Context

Question 1

What were the consequences of the Economic recession that Britain experienced?

Answer 1

The economy went into decline and people were earning and spending less money.

Question 2

Where is each act set?

Answer 2

Act 1 - Liverpool

Act 2 - Skelmersdale

Question 3

What are the features of council houses in Liverpool (similar to the Johnstone’s 1st house)?

Answer 3

Small, overcrowded, no heating, no indoor toilets and no garden

Question 4

Why were working-class people like Mrs J happy to be rehoused out of Liverpool?

Answer 4

They thought they might have better living conditions.

Question 5

What are the features of council houses in Skelmersdale (similar to the Johnstone’s 2nd house)?

Answer 5

Clean, safer, modern, had gardens and more open space

Question 6

In Blood Brothers, Russell shows that “ a persons _____ _____ can _______ the ______ of their life”

Answer 6

A persons social class can determine the course of their life

Question 7

What did the government do to people that struggled due to the recession?

Answer 7

Gave people state benefits (money paid to them from the government)

Question 8

Where in the play did we see that a person’s class was associated with their behaviour?

Answer 8

In Act 1, the policeman considers Mickey’s actions to be more serious as he prejudices made him associate criminal behaviour with the working-class

Question 9

We know that money is associated with power. Where do we see this in the play?

Answer 9

-In act 1, Mrs Lyons uses her husbands money to bribe Mrs J to stay away from Edward

Question 10

Which family followed the traditional ‘nuclear’ family structure?

Answer 10

The Lyons family. Russell shows that the ‘ideal’ family structure doesn’t always lead to happiness

Question 11

Where is the impact of gender roles clearly shown in the play?

Answer 11

Mr Lyons stopped Mrs Lyons from adopting because he didn’t want to. Patriarchal society

Question 12

Where in the play is childhood presented as a time of innocence?

Answer 12

After the kids imitate violence, there are no lasting consequences as “the whole things just a game”

Question 13

What things did society associate the youth culture with being?

Answer 13

Free and rebellious

Question 14

Who is the author of Blood Brothers?

Answer 14

Willy Russell

Question 15

What are the main key aspects of Liverpool in the 1980’s which are presented in the play?

Answer 15

• Crime and drug abuse
• Unemployment
• Social class

Question 16

How did Margaret Thatcher being prime minister change society?

Answer 16

• Taxes for rich people fell from 83% to 40%

- Poverty increased

Question 17

Where is the drug abuse and gangs in Liverpool shown in Blood brothers?

Answer 17

• Through the robbery that Sammy and Mickey take part in.

- When Mickey becomes addicted to antidepressants

Question 18

What things in popular culture of Liverpool are presented in the play?

Answer 18

• Marilyn monroe
• Dancing
• Guns

Question 19

What did dancing do in society?

Answer 19

It brought people together. In particular, Mr&Mrs Johnston met while dancing.

Question 20

What thing in society contributed towards Mrs Johnstone having so many children?

Answer 20

The catholic view on birth control. Artificial contraception was seen as evil so big families were common.

Question 21

What famous playwright and director styles inspired Willy Russell when making Blood Brothers?

Answer 21

Brecht. He used things such as direct address, exaggeration, flashbacks, song, still images and the use of having a narrator

Question 22

Name 5 key themes from Blood Brothers

Answer 22

• Social class
• Nature vs nurture
• Superstition
• Education
• Childhood

Question 23

Give an example of something that develops from nature and something that develops from nurture.

Answer 23

Nature- Some people are more susceptible to violent behaviour because of the genes
Nurture- Mental health issues develop because of our environment and what we’re exposed to.

Question 24

Give 3 vocal techniques that are used in the play.

Answer 24

Monotone, Naturalistic, Melodramatic

Question 25

Which character has a clear moment of the ‘Angel’ and ‘Devil’ in their head influencing their decisions?

Answer 25

Mrs J on whether she should give up her baby or not. The Angel would tell her to keep it but the ‘Devil’ tells her to give it away. She gave into the devil.

Question 26

In what way are we meant to sympathise with Mrs Lyons?

Answer 26

She had all her life planned out but was unable to have children.