What makes Blood Brothers an effective stage play?

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What makes ‘Blood Brothers’ an effective stage play?

In every effective play there are always specific features that the play writer uses to make his play successful such as the interesting characters, dramatic storylines and powerful endings. In this essay I will be focusing on the ‘Blood Brothers’ play to show the main aspects that make it standout to the audience in the theater. The story introduces us to the situation of twin boys separated at birth as they grow up in different controlled environments. They both live a different life and have the same tragic fate and die.One of the key elements which ensure that the audience has an enjoyable experience is the way Willy Russell contrast the two main characters. This will intrigue the audience as it has a huge impact and makes it interesting throughout the entire play; one example of this is on act 2 scene 2:

                                                    [Offering the bag]…what? [shocked]

                                                                                                        This will suggest to the audience that the two boys are from completely different backgrounds. This is shown as Edward, who has a privileged lifestyle, offering Mickey some sweets. Mickey reaction is shock, who is from poverty, isn’t used to kindness and his act of generosity due to his poor upbringing, as he’s brought up in a large family and his not expected to be given anything. Edwards wants to impress Mickey so they can be friends as he has never has friends as a result of his mothers protective upbringing. Mickey suspiciously takes one of Edwards sweets because he is used to people tricking him because in his area are the rough children who play tricks. Whereas Edward, who is a very proper, sheltered, inhibited boy, is brought up to share and be well mannered. Russell presents the ideas of social class differences through numerous examples. The main social class differences are expressed through Edward and Mickey by means of comparison of the two as we are shown. One way in which the social disparities are revealed through speech, as Edward is well spoken and formal, in contrast to Mickey who is informally spoken and uses abbreviated words vastly throughout his context. Another way that the differences are presented is through the behaviour and the way the two characters conduct themselves. Edward is straight forward in terms of personality, whilst Mickey is sly in the way he conducts his actions and his personality is quite difficult to understand. This phrase will imply that Edward isn’t greedy as he gives sweets to Mickey, the keyword from the stage directions is ‘shocked’ this shows an insight into Mickey’s life and shows the audience the extent of children living in poverty. I infer that Mickey would have a surprised and puzzled expression on his face and will show it in his body language. Another contrast between different characters is Mrs Johnston and Mrs Lyons is clearly shown as adjectives are used and also Willy Russell used juxtaposition to show the contrast is on act 1 scene 2:

   ‘Yes it’s a pretty house it’s so big, I’m finding it large at present’

                                                                                                   This example suggest to the audience that Mrs Lyons is very powerful and superior living in such a huge house, and she is sure to let the audience know with adjectives she is using, unlike Mrs Johnston who is poor and despite having very little money to offer her children, she is kind. This tells us that Mrs Lyons is completely unfazed about the house; While Mrs Johnson is impressed by the size of the house, as she only lives in a small house. Mrs Lyons is a very rich woman and could easily afford anything she desires yet the one thing she wants and cannot have is a child of her own. The important words from this sentence are ‘big’ and ‘large’ to describe her house to covey how wealthy and rich she is. I feel that Willy Russell put this dialogue to make the audience sympathise with Mrs Lyons as she is lonely and isolated in her house on her own this is I think one of the reasons she desperately wants a child so she can be occupied and she will have company and also who will be there for her as it gives the impression that Mr Lyons is not around so this might indicates that they don’t spend enough time together. The audience will immediately assume that she has children whereas being a lonely housewife. The wealthy and sophisticated character is completely different to Mrs Johnston who is working class and warm hearted. In act 2 scene 1 the audience will witness a sly, deceptive Mrs Lyons after she has got what she longed for. The contrast will engage the audience:

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                                                                                          ‘Your work has deteriorated, we’re not happy with it.’

                                               This, I feel that the audience will empathize with Mrs Johnston as they realize how ruthless and selfish Mrs Lyons really is. Mrs ...

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