Revision : Blood Brothers

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‘Blood Brothers’ by Willy Russell

Context

1947         Willy Russell born in Whiston, just outside Liverpool.  

1962         Russell leaves school to become a ladies’ hairdresser.  

1969         Russell returns to school as a mature student.  

  1. Blood Brothers premiers in Liverpool.  

Awarded an Honorary M.A. by the Open University.  

Summary

Act One:

The audience meet Mrs Johnstone.  We learn of her superficial marriage and her large family.  She struggles to feed the children she has and we learn that she is expecting again.  Not one child, but twins.  The audience sees the contrast between the social classes when comparing Mrs Johnstone’s home with the home she cleans, the home of Mr and Mrs Lyons.  In comparison to Mrs Johnstone’s busy and noisy family home, Mrs Lyons is lonely with her husband away on business.  The Lyons have a large and immaculate home, but it is empty.  

Seeing her worry over having two additional mouths to feed, Mrs Lyons persuades Mrs Johnstone to give one of her babies to her.  Mrs Johnstone is reluctant, but Mrs Lyons’ persistence and seeing the opportunity of a good upbringing relents. Mrs Johnstone tells her other children that one of the twins has died and gone to heaven.  

        Fearing that their secret deal will be made known, Mrs Lyons persuades her husband that Mrs Johnstone’s work has slipped and that she should be sacked.  Mrs Lyons uses Mrs Johnstone’s superstitious nature to help silence her forever, telling her that should either twin ever find out that they were separated they shall both die.

        The audience then meets one of the twins, Mickey Johnstone, now age seven.  Mickey and Edward meet and their friendship springs from a fascination in the other.  Eddie sees Mickey as a kind of role model who plays exciting games, swears and spits – things which Eddie has never experienced before.  Mickey ‘educates’ Eddie and the pair become ‘blood brothers’ – a moment of dramatic irony for the audience who know that the pair are exactly that.

        Mrs Lyons is crushed by the news that Eddie is mingling with working class children and is especially worried about his new friendship with the boy she knows is Eddie’s twin.  In order to try to keep Eddie to herself she persuades her husband to move.  He agrees, hoping that this might help his wife to recover and return to her old self.  

        As Eddie takes his leave of the Johnstone family, we see a tender exchange between Mrs Johnstone and Eddie.  This moment appears to show a more affectionate bond that between Eddie and Mrs Lyons.  

        Shortly after the Lyons leave, the Johnstone family also learn that they are to be relocated.  Mr Johnstone sees this has a fresh start and is full of new hope.  

Act Two:

        Eddie and Mickey are now teenagers.  We see the slightly awkward relationship between Eddie and his mother and the more natural and easy-going relationship between Mickey and his mother.   Edward has grown into a polite young man and Mickey is a typical teenage lad, worried about his image and unsure how to deal with his feelings towards girls.  Despite their differences, when the two are reunited once more they are at ease with one another and their differing characters disappear.  

        Edward gets into trouble at school for a locket he wears and refuses to take off.  He surprises his teacher and mother when he refuses to remove it.  Shortly after, Mrs Lyons confronts Mrs Johnstone.  We see Mrs Lyons possessive and obsessive nature in full.  This scene creates sympathy for Mrs Johnstone, who despite lacking the money to offer her children, is the more kind and reasonable of the mothers.  

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        From this moment we begin to see events disintegrate.  The most pivotal moment being Mickey’s part in the shooting and subsequent imprisonment.  Mickey becomes depressed and then reliant on medication.  His childhood sweetheart – now his wife - Linda suffers whilst her husband is in prison and despondent.  

        

        Mickey is released from prison, but his dependence on medication continues.  Linda receives support from Edward, who has grown into a very different man than Mickey.  Edward has a good job, but has retained his generous nature.  He still cares for Linda and it is their affair which initiates ...

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