Also there are many parts of the play where Russell makes the brothers contrasts clear. Edward uses more formal language like, ‘Mummy’, whereas Mickey uses, ‘Ma.’ This is because Edward has been brought up in a more upper- class environment. On the other hand, Mickey had grown up with his brother Sammy, always out on the streets and up to no good.
A narrator is used in the play, to express characters feelings and the entire goings on in the play. ‘There’s gypsies in the wood, an’ they’ve been watchin’ you, they’re gonna take your baby away.’ This is when Mrs Lyons tires to prevent Edward from being friends with Mickey, and she fears that they will find out the truth. During the play a number of songs and ballads are used, also to portray the characters feelings. On page forty- one, Edward and Mickey sing a song displaying their friendship. ‘My best friend, I wish I could be like that.’ This shows how much Edward cares for Mickey, and wants to be just like him.
The music creates a dramatic atmosphere, and keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. A time when this happens is when excitement is created, by the sounds of a heartbeat getting louder. The music in the play helps transfer moments of sadness, to joy and happiness or vice-versa. It also takes attention off the plot for a second.
Through the play there is a strong theme of superstition. ‘Oh God, Mrs Lyons, never put new shoes on a table… you never know what’ll happen.’ This is Mrs Johnstone referring to placing new shoes on a table, being bad luck.
Dramatic irony is a key part in this play. The best example is when Mickey takes Edward home for the first time saying, ‘Mam, this is my blood brother.’ Mickey and Edward are unaware the full impact of this announcement, but the audience are. Another example is when Edward doesn’t tell his mother where he received the locket that contains a photo of Mickey and Mrs. Johnstone. He says, ‘It’s just a secret, everybody has a secrets, don’t you have secrets?’ The audience now feels involved with the play and the suspense builds because they know Mrs. Lyons keeps a deep secret.
Although the two boys are brothers, they are treated very differently. This is very clear when they are caught giving cheek to a policeman. He escorts the boys to their parents, and tells them of their actions. When greeted by the Lyons with a glass of whiskey, the policeman suggests it was just a mere prank, and to dock his pocket money. As he arrives at the Johnstone’s house the tale is totally different. He signifies that Mickey was leader of the boys. The policeman then quotes, ‘you don’t wanna end up in court again do y’? Even though it was Edward who was ‘mouthing off’ at the policeman, he has prejudice over the working class. This shows a contrast of the way other characters in the play treat the boys, according to their class. Many people who see the play can often relate to this due to their class prejudice.
There are many occasions in the play where Russell makes the brothers contrasts clear. For example their language, Edward uses formal language like, ‘Mummy,’ whereas Mickey uses, ‘Ma.’ This shows that Edward has been brought up in an upper- class environment. On the other hand, Mickey has grown up much to the influence of his older brother, Sammy, up to no good. The first time Edward and Mickey meet, Edward offers sweets to Mickey. This shocks Mickey a lot of his counter is, ‘are you soft?’ this is because Mickey has always been brought up to keep his belongings to himself, but Edward has learnt to share. Mickey has fewer possessions in life, so he tries to shield them all from other people’s uses.
There are elements of sadness, happiness, frustration and pain in the play. Russell uses sadness to involve the audience so they feel sad for the characters. For example, the sadness at the end of the play, when Mickey shoots Edward. Also humour plays a big part in ‘Blood Brothers’. It keeps the audience interested and balances out the conflict and sorrow in the play. Throughout the play we experience different types of humour like the use of jokes, for example, when Mickey and Edward are talking about Sammy’s head. Mickey tells Edward about Sammy having a metal plate put in his head, when he had an accident. Edward says, ‘a side plate?’ and Mickey replies, ‘no, it’s on top.’ This joke causes misunderstanding because they were unaware of the two meanings, which makes the conversation amusing. Russell uses a wrong use of language, also to humour us. When Edward and his mother argue and Edward says, ‘you’re a fuck off!’ He has picked up this bad language from his new friend, and it sounds totally out of place with his background, which is what makes the audience laugh, as it is completely unexpected.
‘Blood Brothers’ is made up of quite simple storylines. There is nothing too difficult to understand and it helps the audience to stay focused and involved with the action. The mixed scene changes in the film work to keep the audience gripped, as does the fast speed of the play.
Overall I think that Willy Russell is very successful in maintaining the audience’s attention and involving them with his characters. The script is straight forward yet appealing, and the characters are simple yet imaginative.
Overall, this play is very down-to-earth, which makes it easy to relate to. The use of humour contradicting to all the sorrow in the play, is a very good technique. With a script of this quality ‘Blood Brothers’ could run for many more years.
Sophie White
