Q1A Blood Brothers Context Flashcards
Q1A – Three aspects of Social Context
— The play was written by Willy Russell in 1981. It is set in the early 1960s and spans over a twenty year period.
— Crime levels rose at this time as a result of high unemployment and a suffering economy, and there was an increase in illegal drugs being used. The effects of these factors are reflected with Sammy’s involvement with the law, Mickey’s drug addiction and the violent conclusion.
— There was a huge disparity in the class system of the time, which is reflected in the difference between the Lyon’s and the Johnstones.
Q1A – Three aspects of Cultural Context
— Liverpool, at this time, was well known for this music which is reflected in the fact that Russell chose to represent the story through the genre of musical theatre and uses various musical references.
— Pop culture icons of perfection such as Marilyn Monroe are set against Mrs Johnstone’s imperfect life.
— Everyone could access the cinema and this is reflected in Micky and Edward’s visits to see films and also references to ‘cowboys and Indians’ and other American idols.
Q1A – Three aspects of Historical Context
— Willy Russell was a teacher who originally wrote Blood Brothers as a school play in 1981 in conjunction with Merseyside Young People’s Theatre, with the first full performance at the Liverpool Playhouse in 1983.
— During the 1980s, the government underwent a huge transition with a Conservative government coming into power and Margaret Thatcher taking over as Prime Minister.
— There is a historical accuracy in the play, with reference to Marilyn Monroe, the education system, the university opportunities as a result of the differences in the working and middle classes, unemployment in Liverpool, drug addiction and the music of the period.
Q1A – Three aspects of Theatrical Conventions
— This is a piece of musical theatre and was written to be performed on a proscenium arch stage. The techniques of foreshadowing and dramatic irony are often used to warn the audience of future events.
— Split scenes are used throughout to show two scenes being performed on stage at the same time. A flashback is used at the opening as the play starts with the ending.
— The use of song is utilised throughout the play to reveal key information, comment on the action and sometimes create a specific mood.
Q1A – Three aspects of Form and Style
— The style reflects elements of the 1950s ‘kitchen-sink drama’ that focuses on social factors of the working classes.
— The characterisation of Sammy, Linda, Edward and Mickey as children develops comedy, exaggeration and high energy in the performance.
— The Narrator helps to bridge the time span and links scenes with the use of monologue.
Q1A – Three aspects of Genre
— The genre is Musical Theatre, which is theatre that combines song, dialogue and some choreography to relate events and tell a story.
— The play is non-naturalistic in genre with the use of narration, musical elements, ensemble acting, asides and other non-naturalistic techniques.
— It contains elements of both comedy and tragedy and concludes with a climactic and tragic finale.
Q1A – Three aspects of Structure
— The first act begins in the early sixties and spans a seven year period. Act two opens up with the boys as teenagers; around the mid 1970s. This act spans the rest of the boys lives from their teenage years through to adulthood.
— The play only deals with the significant moments in the twin’s lives, scanning past years as well as creating a climactic build up to the tragedy at the end of the play. Russell uses songs to show the time gaps and reveal important information about character and situation.
— There is a flash back at the start of the play in which the final outcome is revealed. After this moment the play moves at a fast pace, in a linear and chronological way.
Q1A – Three aspects of Language
— The dialogue is written in a Liverpool dialect, which is a naturalistic technique used to create realism.
— The class distinction is inferred through the language used and is particularly evident between the characters of Edward and Mickey such as the ‘F’ word and ‘a dictionary’.
— Language is used to show distress and anger as the characters often speak using broken syntax.
Q1A – Score System
1: None could be recalled
2: One could be recalled
3: Two could be recalled
4: Three could be recalled
5: Three could be consistently recalled
