Willy Russell
Blood Brothers
Introduction to the Play
Blood Brothers
Act One
Lesson 1: Author and Setting
Willy Russell
Willy Russell was born in Liverpool and grew up in a working class
family. After leaving school with only one O level, he became a
hairdresser and ran his own salon before trying his hand at a variety of
jobs, including writing songs which were performed in local folk clubs.
He also contributed songs and sketches to local radio programmes. At
20 years old, he returned to college and became a teacher in the
Toxteth area of Liverpool and two years later his first play, Blind
Scouse, was premiered at the Edinburgh Festival.
Setting
Willy Russell never refers to a
specific time in Blood Brothers but
we can assume that the play begins
in the late nineteen fifties and ends
in the early eighties.
It is significant that the play is also
set in Liverpool. At the time the city
was predominately working class
which meant many families were
struggling with unemployment and
poverty.
Setting Continued…
We KNOW this is when the play
is set because events in the play
correspond with major social and
political happenings of that time.
For example, at the end of Act
One the Johnston’s are rehoused
by the council from Liverpool to
Skelmersdale.
Such population migration from
inner-city slums to New Towns
happened across Britain during
the 1960s.
Setting…
Mickey’s unemployment during
Act two places later events in the
late nineteen seventies or early
eighties as factory closures and
mass unemployment swept
through many British towns at this
time.
This period in history which is
known as the Thatcher era, was
an extremely difficult time in history
with thousands of families
struggling to cope with job cuts.
Setting…
Although Willy Russell
wants to entertain the
audience he also wants
them to think about life in
England and in particular
Liverpool, during this time.
“ When the mines closed
it was more than just losing
my job. My dad was a
miner and my Grandad
before him. They took away
all I knew.”
(William Melvey 1982)
“ I never really thought that
it would happen. But it did.
having to start from scratch
at 56 when I should have
been winding down was soul
destroying”
(Anonymous)
Check your understanding
1.Do you think that Willy Russell had a good
education as a child? Explain your answer.
2.What social class was Willy Russell brought up
in?
3.What period of history does the play span?
4.Can you think of any reasons Willy Russell may
have for setting the play in Liverpool?
5.What happened to families living in the inner
city slums of Liverpool in the 1950s and 60s?
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Blood Brothers
Act One
Lesson 2: Social and Historical Context
Blood Brothers
Objectives:
To learn about the social and
historical context of the play.
Liverpool
At the turn of the twentieth century (1900)
Liverpool was one of the world’s richest cities.
Trade with the British Empire flowed through
its port and brought with it great economic
growth. But as the Empire declined so did the
fortunes of the city and by the second half of
the century (the setting of Blood Brothers),
Liverpool was deep in economic recession. The
once bustling docks had fallen derelict and
unemployment swept through the city plunging
thousands of households into poverty. Crime
increased, housing conditions worsened and
drug use became widespread.
Poverty
At the beginning of the play we learn that the
Johnstone family are very poor. In the opening
scenes Mrs Johnstone reveals that she is an
unemployed single mother and we see her
struggling to pay her bills (I start a job next
week. I’ll have money comin’ in an’ I’ll be able
to pay y’) and provide for her family (‘Ey
Mother, I’m starvin’ an’ there’s nothin’ in’).
Her children are on ‘free dinners’ and lack
discipline. At the beginning of the play Mrs
Johnstone does find a cleaning job but her
wage is low and barely enough to live on. For
the majority of the first act the Johnstones live
in what would be a cramped ‘back to back’
terraced house in Liverpool’s inner city slums.
Social and Historical Context
Can you complete the following sentences?
Blood Brothers is set in…
The city was once…
But as the British Empire crumbled…
The decline of the city brought hardships such as…
The Johnstone family are…
They live in…
Life is difficult because…
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Blood Brothers 3
Introducing Mrs Johnstone
Mrs Johnstone
Objectives:
To understand how Willy
Russell creates characters
through dialogue and action.
Characterisation: Blood Brothers
Mrs Johnstone
Read the opening scenes of Blood Brothers.
What is your first impression of Mrs Johnstone?
Consider the stage directions, Mrs Johnstone’s
actions and gestures and the dialogue she
uses.
Mrs Johnstone
What are your first impressions of Mrs Johnstone?
Look at the list of words below. Find five words
that best describe Mrs. Johnstone.
Loving
rich
brave
heartless
superstitious
selfish
ruthless
gullible
happy
caring
manipulative
struggling
Mrs Johnstone
Look at the things Mrs Johnstone says and does in the
opening scenes. What is revealed about her?
What Mr Johnstone says
/ does
suggests
“look, next week I’ll pay y’”
shows
“We got married at the
registry an’ then we had a
‘do’””
shows
shows
“We’ll live like kings, like
bright young things”
shows
“never put new shoes on a
table”
shows
What it shows
Mrs. Johnstone struggles to feed her
family
Write it up
Your work so far about Mrs
Johnstone will describe
aspects of her personality.
Where did those ideas come
from?
12th October 09
Mrs Johnstone
My first impression of Mrs
Johnstone is that she is…
Playwrights create
characters through stage
directions, dialogue and
action but do you know
exactly what these things
are?
Write a paragraph explaining
the word choices you made.
Sentence Starters
To help you write about Mrs. Johnstone you could use some
of the sentence starters below:
12th October 09
Mrs Johnstone
The first thing we notice about Mrs Johnstone is...
Her conversation with the milkman suggests that…
The way she speaks shows that…
The lines spoken by her children tell us…
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Blood Brothers 4
Mrs Lyons
Mrs Lyons
Objectives:
To learn how Willy Russell
introduces the character of
Mrs Lyons to the audience
Characterisation:
Mrs Lyons
Read the next few scenes of
Blood Brothers. What are your
first impressions of Mrs Lyons?
Consider the stage directions, the
character’s actions, interactions
and dialogue.
Mrs Lyons
What are your first impressions of Mrs Lyons? Jot down
words or phrases to describe her.
Mrs Lyons
Read the opening scenes of Blood Brothers and this time
pay close attention to the character of Mrs Lyons.
What Mrs Lyons says /
does
suggests
“We thought children would
come along”
shows
“Oh it seems such a long
time…he’ll be back in about
five months’ time.”
shows
shows
“Mrs Johnstone, with two
more children how can you
possibly avoid some of them
being put into care?”
What it shows
Mrs Lyons does not believe in
superstition
shows
shows
Mrs Lyons is wealthy
Blood Brothers
Blood Brothers 5
Contrasting Characters
Contrasting
Characters
Objectives:
To learn how Willy Russell
contrasts the character of
Mrs Lyons and Mrs Johnstone
Mrs Johnstone and Mrs Lyons
Mrs Johnstone and Mrs Lyons are contrasting characters.
How many examples of contrasts can you find?
Mrs Johnstone
Mrs Lyons
Working Class
Middle Class
Mrs Johnstone and Mrs Lyons
Below are some ideas that show how the characters contrast.
Mrs Johnstone
Mrs Lyons
Working Class
Middle Class
Gullible
Manipulative
Seven children
Childless
Poor
Rich
Kind, caring and thoughtful
Mean, selfish
Hard but busy, dramatic life
Empty, lonely life
Struggling single parent
Has security and marriage
Consolidation
Willy Russell uses 3 main techniques to create
characters.
Stage
Directions
Dialogue
Action
Look out for these techniques as we are
introduced to new characters in the play.
Mrs Johnstone & Mrs Lyons
Using your knowledge of the
characters of Mrs
Johnstone and Mrs Lyons
write a paragraph explaining
how Russell presents the
characters of Mrs Johnstone
and Mrs Lyons to the
audience.
You could use some of the
sentence starters on the
next slide to get you up and
running.
12th October 09
Mrs Johnstone & Mrs Lyons
Mrs Johnstone and Mrs Lyons
are very different…
Contrasting Characters
What have you learned already about Mrs Johnstone and Mrs Lyons?
Below are a few sentence starters to help with your paragraph:
12th September 09
Mrs Johnstone & Mrs Lyons
The first difference we notice about Mrs Johnstone is...
Mrs Johnstone is…whilst Mrs Lyons…
The way they speak conveys to the audience that…
The way they act towards one another gives us an insight into their
relationship…
Character as Archetype
The fact that Mrs Johnstone doesn’t have a first name suggests that she is
less an individual and more defined by her status in society. Mrs Johnstone
has a very low social status. She is a working class, single mother with a
large number of children which she struggles to control. As such she
represents a social group that is often much maligned by society, the single
parent, living on benefits with a large number of children. At the
beginning of the play the Narrator describes Mrs Johnstone as having ‘a
stone in place of her heart’ representing the attitude towards single
parents by some sections of society. Yet the Narrator suggests that the
audience should ‘judge for yourselves’ and Mrs Johnstone is presented to
the audience, according to the stage directions, ‘aged thirty but looks
more like fifty’. The reason for her premature aging is revealed in her
opening song ‘we went dancing’ in which she describes the story of her life
so far. In contrast to her current appearance we learn that once she was
young, happy and ‘sexier than Marilyn Monroe’. She met her future
husband at a dance, became pregnant, got married and three months later
had her first child, Darren Wayne. Three months later she was pregnant
again and by the age of twenty five when she had seven children and
another on the way her husband left her for a younger woman. We see at
the start that Mrs Johnstone is struggling. She cannot pay the milkman and
her children complain of being underfed yet she appears optimistic,
believing that the cleaning job she is due to start will give them enough
money to ‘live like kings’.
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Blood Brothers 6
Point, Evidence, Explain
Point, Evidence,
Explain
Objectives:
To learn how to use P.E.E. when
writing about a drama text.
Writing about texts
When writing about texts use the P.E.E formula. Make a
point, find some evidence and then explain the evidence in
detail.
Don’t forget to explain yourself
Use the information from your tables to write about either
Mrs Johnstone or Mrs Lyons. Do not forget to use the P.E.E
structure in your writing.
For example
Mrs Johnstone struggles to care for
her large family: “Ey Mother, I’m
starvin’ an’ there’s nothin’ in. There
never bloody well is.” Here we see that
Mrs Johnstone finds it hard to provide
for her large family as her children
are hungry. The use of the word
‘bloody’ by Kid Three suggests that the
children are not well behaved and
swear at Mrs Johnstone, emphasising
the sense of her struggling to cope.
Plenary
Read out your work to the rest
of the group.
Discuss how you described
your character using the P.E.E
format.
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Blood Brothers 7
Social Class
Social Class
Objectives:
• To develop knowledge and
understanding of the theme of
social class in Blood Brothers
Class
What do we mean by the word class?
Think of as many uses of the word class as you can in 2 minutes.
First
class
Working
Class
Class
Second
Class
Class of
students
Blood Brothers explores Social Class which is the structure of divisions in a
society determined by the social or economic grouping of its members.
Themes – Social Class
Class is central to the story and a theme that exists
throughout the play. In Blood Brothers Willy Russell explores
how class affects people’s lives. To do this he uses the
Johnstone family and the Lyons family to represent the
working classes and the middle classes.
The Johnstone family is working class. Mrs Johnstone has
rushed into an early marriage due to pregnancy. She is
poorly educated and very superstitious. Her house is a
rented terraced home in a poor neighbourhood which she
struggles to pay for. Conditions are basic and cramped. Mrs
Johnstone’s limited education means that the work she can
do is restricted to poorly-paid jobs and her horizons are
limited. She is delighted when she is re-housed in
Skelmersdale in a newly built council house.
Many of the slum houses in big cities were
demolished at this time and ‘new towns’ made
up of council houses were built to replace them.
By contrast, Mrs Lyons belongs to the wealthier
middle class. She is a housewife with no need
to work as her husband can provide comfortably
for the family. She lives in a large house,
employs a cleaner and enjoys a leisurely
lifestyle. Edward is brought up surrounded by
books, expected to succeed in life and attends a
public school. He will go to university, marry well
and take up a prestigious and well-paid
profession.
Class
This table will help you keep track of the theme of class in the play.
Copy it then complete it as you read through the book.
Page No.
11
13-14
Class Example
Song ‘My Child’
The visit of the
Catalogue and finance
men
Character(s)
Mrs Johnstone
& Mrs Lyons
What it says about the English
class system
The song describes the different
lifestyles and opportunities of
middle and lower class children.
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Blood Brothers 8
Living on the never never
Living on the
never never
Objectives:
To complete a speaking and
listening activity to develop
your understanding of the
themes of the play
Living on the never never
Read the play up to the scene
where the catalogue and finance
men repossess goods from the
Johnstone’s house, then answer
the questions below.
1. Why are the goods repossessed?
2. Why do you think Mrs Johnstone orders
things she cannot afford?
3. Why does Willy Russell include this scene
in the play?
4. Can you think of another character that
Mrs Johnstone owes a debt to?
Living on the never never
Although poverty was widespread during the 1960s in many
parts of Britain this was a time of economic growth and
unprecedented prosperity. High levels of employment and
increasing wages meant that people had more money than
ever to spend and new consumer goods such as washing
machines, refrigerators, TV sets, cookers were within the
reach of more households than ever before. However, many
families like the Johnstones, caught in the poverty trap, were
left behind, unable to afford such luxuries. The only way the
poor could obtain consumer goods was through hire purchase
agreements. In post war Britain Hire Purchase was booming.
In 1956 the British spent £400 million on Hire purchase goods,
only nine years later in 1965 the amount had tripled to £1200
million.
Living on the never never
Hire purchase is a way of paying for goods in weekly
instalments. The advantage in HP agreements is that the
customer receives the goods immediately and then pays off
the balance. However, there are dangers in taking out HP
agreements. Firstly, by paying in instalments people often
pay far more for the goods and if payments are not kept up
then the goods are repossessed even if the customer has
paid off the majority of the balance. We see this happen to
Mrs Johnstone near the beginning of Act one when the
Finance Man and the Catalogue Man confront Mrs Johnstone
and remove hire purchase goods from her home because she
hasn’t kept up the repayments. In one scene she recollects
how debt collectors turned up during a meal and took away
the kitchen table while the family were eating.
In the hotseat
Living on the never never is one way of obtaining goods that you
otherwise could not afford. Think about the following characters: Mrs
Johnstone, the Finance Man and Mrs Johnstone's children. What would
they think and feel about the system of hire purchase?
Plenary
Groups could perform their hot
seating to the class.
Audience members could ask
questions to Mrs Johnstone, her
children and the Finance Man.
Consider what you have learnt about
the theme of poverty from studying
this scene.
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Blood Brothers
Act One
Lesson 9: Got the plot?
Got the plot?
Objectives:
• To consolidate knowledge and
understanding of the plot of Act
One
The story so far
Complete the summary of Act One by filling in the gaps
Blood Brothers begins at the ____ of the
story, with the deaths of Mickey and
Edward. We then go back into the ____
to discover why the boys died. The
mother of both boys, Mrs _____, is
introduced by the _____ who tells the
______ that she gave her _____ away
and that she has a ‘_____’ in place of a
heart. We then meet Mrs Johnstone who
gives us a quick synopsis of her ___. We
discover that she is a ____ mother with 7
_____ to look after. She tells us that her
_____ has walked out on her for a _____
woman and that she is expecting another
____ soon.
The story so far
Complete the summary of Act One by filling in the gaps
Following this opening scene the setting changes to Mrs
_____’ house where Mrs Johnstone works as a ______.
We discover that Mrs Lyons is unable to have _____ but
she desperately wants one and when Mrs Johnstone
announces that she is pregnant with _____ Mrs Lyons
suggests that Mrs Johnstone should ____ one to her.
Mrs Johnstone initially _____ the idea but Mrs Lyons
puts _____ on her and reminds her that social services
will put one of her children into ____ because she can’t
look after them properly. Finally Mrs Johnstone agrees
and they swear on the _____ to always keep the deal a
_____. To frighten the ______ Mrs Johnstone into
silence Mrs Lyons tells her that if the twins ever
discover they were once a _____ they will immediately
____.
The story so far
Complete the summary of Act One by filling in the gaps
Blood Brothers begins at the end of the
story, with the deaths of Mickey and
Edward. We then go back into the past
to discover why the boys died. The
mother of both boys, Mrs Johnstone, is
introduced by the narrator who tells the
audience that she gave her baby away
and that she has a ‘stone’ in place of a
heart. We then meet Mrs Johnstone who
gives us a quick synopsis of her life. We
discover that she is a single mother with
7 children to look after. She tells us that
her husband has walked out on her for a
younger woman and that she is
expecting another child soon.
The story so far
Complete the summary of Act One by filling in the gaps
Following this opening scene the setting changes to Mrs
Lyons’ house where Mrs Johnstone works as a cleaner.
We discover that Mrs Lyons is unable to have children
but she desperately wants one and when Mrs Johnstone
announces that she is pregnant with twins Mrs Lyons
suggests that Mrs Johnstone should give one to her. Mrs
Johnstone initially rejects the idea but Mrs Lyons puts
pressure on her and reminds her that social services will
put one of her children into care because she can’t look
after them properly. Finally Mrs Johnstone agrees and
they swear on the bible to always keep the deal a
secret. To frighten the superstitious Mrs Johnstone into
silence Mrs Lyons tells her that if the twins ever
discover they were once a pair they will immediately
die.
The Comic Strip
Create a comic strip version of Act One.
Mrs Johnstone, a poor single
parent, works as a cleaner
for the wealthy Mrs Lyons.
Mrs Johnstone discovers that
she is pregnant with twins.
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Blood Brothers
Part Two
Lesson 10: Mickey Johnstone
Mickey Johnstone
Objectives:
To learn how Russell introduces the
character of Mickey to the audience.
Match the word and its meaning
Word/phrase
Hooligan
Nott’n
gis
Soft
Meaning
A posh person who acts in a refined way
Liverpool dialect for ‘give me’
stupid
you
poshy
A person who acts in a loud, violent and ant-social way
youse
Useless
last
Nothing
Vocabulary and Idioms
Word/phrase
Hooligan
Nott’n
gis
Soft
Meaning
A person who acts in a loud, violent and ant-social way
Nothing
Liverpool dialect for ‘give me’
Stupid
poshy
A posh person who acts in a refined way
youse
You
last
Useless
Characterisation: Mickey
Johnstone
Read Act One up to “my beautiful,
beautiful son.”
What are your immediate
impressions of Mickey Johnstone?
Consider Russell’s use of stage
directions, actions, and the
dialogue Mickey uses.
Mickey
Mickey
What are your first impressions of Mickey? Find words
or phrases from the text to describe him.
Making an impression
Remember, authors create
characters through
description, dialogue and
action.
These are known as literary
devices, they are the tools
used by writers to make
characters come alive.
19th September 09
Mickey
Mickey Johnstone
Using your knowledge of
description, dialogue and
action write a paragraph
explaining how Willy Russell
presents the character of
Mickey to the audience.
You could use some of the
sentence starters on the
next slide to get you up and
running…
12th September 09
Mickey
As soon as we meet
Mickey we get the
impression that he is…
Introducing Mickey
What have you learned already about Mickey Johnstone? Below are a few
sentence starters to help with your paragraph about Mickey:
12th September 09
Mickey
The first thing we notice about Mickey is that he is….
Mickey is carrying a …
The way he speaks tells the audience that…
The way he talks to Edward shows us that…
Mickey has an older brother called Sammy who is…
Extension – Mickey
1.
Find three quotations from p.20
to p.29 which suggest Mickey is a
friendly child.
2.
How does Russell convey the impression that Mickey is
from a poor background?
How does Mickey talk about Sammy? What does this tell
us about him?
How does Mickey come across to the audience? How does
Russell use stage directions, dialogue and action to
create this impression?
3.
4.
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Of Mice and Men
Part Two
Lesson 11: Edward Lyons
Edward
Objectives:
To develop understanding of the character
of Edward
To learn how to use P.E.E. when writing
about characters.
Writing about texts
When writing about characters in Blood Brothers remember
to use the P.E.E formula. Make a point, find some evidence
and then explain the evidence in detail.
Edward
Read the play up to “my beautiful, beautiful son.”
paying close attention to the character of Edward.
What Edward says / does
shows
“my mummy doesn’t allow me to play
down here actually.”
shows
Offers Mickey a bag of sweets
shows
What it tells us about him
shows Naïve and innocent
shows
Explain yourself
Use the information from your table to write about
Edward. Do not forget to use the P.E.E structure in your
writing.
For example
Edward is a kind, thoughtful child: ‘(He
offers a bag from his pocket)’. These
stage directions show that Edward is
giving and generous as he offers
Mickey not just a sweet but the whole
bag to choose from
Extension - Edward
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
How does Russell use accent and dialect to convey
Edward’s character?
Edward’s behaviour in this part of the play tells us a lot
about him. How does he act towards Mickey and Sammy?
Why does he act like this?
What is Edward’s feelings about Mickey? Find three
quotations to illustrate your points.
Can you find any examples from the scene which hint at
things to come?
Why is Sammy hostile to Edward?
Why is Mickey friendly towards Edward?
What do you think about Edward?
Plenary
Discuss your work with the rest
of the group. Explain how you
made deductions about Edward’s
character.
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Blood Brothers
Part Two
Lesson 12: Sammy
Sammy
Objectives:
To develop understanding of the Character
of Sammy
To develop P.E.T.E.R skills when writing
about characters.
Sammy
Read Act One up to “Edward shakes his head” paying close
attention to the character of Sammy then complete the table
below.
What Sammy says / does
shows
(Sammy laughs at Edward’s voice)
shows
What are you lookin’ at?
shows
shows
shows
shows
What it tells us about him
He is fascinated by guns
Extension – Sammy
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
How does Mickey talk about Sammy in Act One?
Look closely at Sammy's first appearance in the play.
What image is Russell trying to convey?
How does Sammy react to Edward. Use quotations in
your answer.
Why does Sammy react in this way?
What words does Willy Russell use to suggest that Sammy
can be cruel and violent?
What is Sammy’s role in the play? Why has Willy Russell
included him?
Plenary
Discuss your work with the rest
of the group. Explain how you
made deductions about Sammy
based on Russell’s use of stage
directions, action and dialogue.
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Blood Brothers
Part Two
Lesson 13: Mickey and Edward
Mickey & Edward
Objectives:
To learn how Willy Russell
contrasts the characters of
Mickey and Edward
Mickey and Edward
Mickey and Edward are contrasting characters.
How many examples of contrasts can you find?
Mickey
Edward
Poor
Wealthy
Mickey and Edward
Mickey and Edward are contrasting characters.
How many examples of contrasts can you find?
Mickey
Edward
poor
wealthy
One of eight children
Only child
Lots of freedom
Over protective mother
Lacks education
Well educated
Speaks with a Liverpool accent in
Liverpudlian dialect
No accent, uses standard English
Contrasting Characters
Using your knowledge of the
characters of Mickey and
Edward write a paragraph
explaining how Russell
presents these contrasting
characters to the audience.
You could use some of the
sentence starters on the
next slide to get you up and
running.
12th October 09
Mickey and Edward
Mickey and Edward are very
different…
Contrasting Characters
What have you learned already about Mickey and Edward? Below are a
few sentence starters to help with your paragraph:
12th September 09
Mickey and Edward
The first difference we notice about Mickey and Edward is...
Mickey is…whilst Edward…
The way they speak conveys to the audience that…
The way they act towards one another gives us an insight into their
relationship…
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Blood Brothers
Part Two
Lesson 14: Linda
Linda
Objectives:
To learn how Willy Russell introduces
the character Linda
Characterisation: Linda
Read Act One up to “The three children
exit”
What are your immediate impressions of
Linda?
Linda
What are your first impressions of Linda? Think of six
words or phrases which convey her personality.
Linda
Using your knowledge of stage
directions, dialogue and action
write a paragraph explaining
how Willy Russell presents the
character of Linda.
You could use the P.E.E.
formula to help structure your
work.
12th September 09
Linda
Linda is presented as
something of a tom boy by
Willy Russell…
Extension - Linda
1. Find three quotes from the text that show that
Linda cares about Mickey.
2. How does Russell present Linda as courageous
and willing to stand up for what is right?
3. Linda says to Mickey, ‘When you die you’ll
meet your twinny again, won’t y’?’ What does
she mean by this? Explain how this is an
example of dramatic irony.
4. How does Willy Russell present Linda as a
likeable and friendly character?
Plenary
Read out your answers to the rest
of the group.
Discuss how Russell presents the
character of Linda.
Teacher-of-English.com
Blood Brothers
Part Two
Lesson 15: Changing Characters
Changing Characters
Objectives:
To learn how Russell develops the
character of Mrs Lyons
Mrs Lyons
At the start of the play Mrs Lyons is a woman who seems to have everything
whilst Mrs Johnstone appears to have almost nothing. However as the play
develops Mrs Lyons’ life begins to change and her character also alters. Read
the statements below concerning Mrs Lyons then answer True or False.
True or False?
Statement
Mrs Lyons got the child she always wanted but could never have.
Mrs Lyons is a good mother.
Mrs Lyons allows Edward plenty of freedom.
Mrs Lyons is happy and contended now she has a child.
Mrs Lyons is unpredictable and capable of violence and cruelty.
Mrs Lyons is paranoid.
Mrs Lyons is a bad person.
T/F
The Changing Woman
We see Mrs Lyons change over the course of the play. Using the True or
False responses from the previous slide discuss how Mrs Lyons has
changed since the start of the play.
Ch-Ch-ChChChanges!
Plot a graph to
show how Mrs
Lyons changes
over the course
of the play.
Teacher-of-English.com
Blood Brothers
Part Two
Lesson 16: Got the Plot?
Got the plot?
Objectives:
• To consolidate knowledge and
understanding of the plot of
Part Two
The story so far
Complete the summary of Act One by filling in the gaps
Mickey and Edward meet, aged _____. We see that
even though they are genetically almost _____ (sharing
the same biological parents) they have been brought up
in contrasting _____ and _____ and are very _____
children. However, Mickey and Edward fast become
_____ and discover that they share the same _____.
Mickey declares that they are ____ _____ and they
make a ____ (reminiscent of Mrs Johnstone and Mrs
Lyons) and declare _____ to one another and swear
they will be friends until they ___. Mrs Johnstone and
Mrs Lyons discover that the twins have become friends
and, afraid their _____ will be discovered, forbid the
boys from seeing each other. Edward argues with Mrs
Lyons and she ____ him. Later, Edward sneaks out to
play with Mickey and Linda and Mrs Lyons becomes
almost _____.
The story so far
Complete the summary of Act One by filling in the gaps
Mickey and Edward meet, aged seven. We see that
even though they are genetically almost identical
(sharing the same biological parents) they have been
brought up in contrasting families and environments
and are very different children. However, Mickey and
Edward fast become friends and discover that they
share the same birthday. Mickey declares that they are
blood brothers and they make a pact (reminiscent of
Mrs Johnstone and Mrs Lyons) and declare loyalty to
one another and swear they will be friends until they
die. Mrs Johnstone and Mrs Lyons discover that the
twins have become friends and, afraid their secret will
be discovered, forbid the boys from seeing each other.
Edward argues with Mrs Lyons and she hits him. Later,
Edward sneaks out to play with Mickey and Linda and
Mrs Lyons becomes almost hysterical.
The Comic Strip
Create a comic strip version of Act One.
Mickey and Edward meet
aged seven.
Teacher-of-English.com
Blood Brothers
Part Two
Lesson 17: Quiz
Quiz
Objectives:
• To consolidate understanding of
Act One
Quiz
Answer the questions below to show your understanding of Act One
1. What famous movie star is repeatedly mentioned in Act One?
2. What is Mrs Johnstone afraid will happen to her children if she has
twins?
3. What is used to seal the pact between Mrs Johnstone and Mrs Lyons?
4. What superstition does Mrs Lyons tell Mrs Johnstone about twins
secretly parted at birth?
5. How much does Mrs Lyons give Mrs Johnstone when she fires her?
6. How old are Mickey and Edward when they meet?
7. What is the birthday of Mickey and Edward?
8. What do Mickey, Linda and Edward shoot at in the park?
9. What is Mrs Lyons’ first name?
10.What name does Edward give to the policeman?
Quiz
Answers!
1. Marilyn Monroe.
2. One will be taken into care.
3. The Bible.
4. They will die if they discover the truth.
5. Fifty pounds.
6. Seven.
7. July the eighteenth.
8. Peter Pan.
9. Jennifer.
10.Adolph Hitler.
Teacher-of-English.com
Blood Brothers
Part Three
Lesson 18: The Policeman’s Visit
The Policeman’s
Visit
Objectives:
To learn how Russell explores the
themes of class and society through the
Policeman’s visit.
The Policeman’s Visit
Read Act One up to the scene with
the policeman talking to Mr Lyons.
Contrast how the policeman speaks
to each family.
Consider Russell’s use of stage
directions, actions, and the
dialogue the policeman uses.
The Johnstones
Read the scene between the policeman and Mrs Johnstone.
What does the policeman say and do? What does it reveal
about his attitude to the Johnstones?
What he says / does
“he was about to commit a serious
crime.”
shows
What it tells us about him
shows
shows He has no respect for the
Johnstone family
shows
shows
The Lyons
Read the scene between the policeman and Mr Lyons. What
does the policeman say and do? What does it reveal about his
attitude to the Lyons?
What he says / does
shows
“it was more of a prank really.”
shows
What it tells us about him
shows He is polite and respectful to the
Lyons family
shows
shows
The Policeman’s Visit
Using the information you
have gathered write a
paragraph explaining how
the policeman treats each
family differently for
committing the same
‘offence’.
In your answer try to explain
why the policeman speaks to
the parents in contrasting
ways. What is the purpose
of this scene? What is Willy
Russell trying to suggest to
the audience?
12th October 09
The Policeman’s Visit
When the policeman
speaks to Mrs Johnstone
he is…
The Policeman’s Visit
If you are finding it hard to get started here are a few sentence starters
to help with your writing:
12th October 09
The Policeman’s Visit
When the policeman speaks to Mrs Johnstone he is….
He says … which shows that…..
The way he speaks to Mr Lyons is…
He says … shows us that…
In this scene Willy Russell is suggesting that…
Extension – The Policeman’s Visit
1.
Find three quotations in which the policeman threatens
Mrs Johnstone.
2.
Look at the language used by the policeman when he
visits each family. Why does Russell use more
colloquialisms when he speaks to Mrs Johnstone?
How does Mrs Johnstone respond to the policeman? What
does this show about her? What does it suggest about her
social status? Does it remind you of another scene earlier
in the play?
What does the policeman mean by ‘Make sure he keeps
with his own kind’?
How does Russell use stage directions to create a
different mood when the policeman speaks to Mr Lyons?
3.
4.
5.
Teacher-of-English.com
Blood Brothers
Part Three
Lesson 19: Social Context
Social & Historical
Context : Housing
Objectives:
To understand the influence and
significance of the social background of
the play
Housing – Blood Brothers Context
Blood Brothers was first performed at the Liverpool
Playhouse in 1983. The story is set in the decades
of the 1960s, 70s and 80s and to fully understand
some of the play’s themes you need to research a
little about the major social, political and economic
events that took place from 1960 to 1983.
You could use the internet to help
with your research.
Housing
We have already discussed the social and
historical context in some detail in previous
lessons. For this task we are going to focus on
the issue of housing and find out about the
changes in social housing which took place
during the 1950s and 1960s.
Housing
To help your research you could begin by finding
answers to the following questions:
1. What type of housing was demolished in cities like
Liverpool during the 1950s and 60s?
2. What new housing developments were created to house the
population?
3. How did the ‘new towns’ differ from the ‘slum’ housing of
the inner cities?
4. How did this housing transformation affect some people's
lives?
5. How does Blood Brothers reflect the housing transformation
that was happening in Britain in the early 1960s?
6. Why do you think Willy Russell chose to include the issue of
housing in the play? What may he have wanted to achieve?
Remember…
•
The social and historical setting of a play is often
very significant and influential.
•
Britain in the 1950s and 60s was still recovering
from the Second World War and undergoing a
period of great social change.
•
Playwrights can have a number of motives for
writing. Blood Brothers is written to entertain but
also to make audience’s think about serious social
issues such as poverty, class and education.
•
Willy Russell has a political purpose for writing
this play.
Housing
The years following the Second World War were a time of great
change in Britain. In the 1950s and 60s Liverpool, like many
cities, underwent a housing transformation. In the inner city
large areas of old Victorian back to back ‘slum’ houses were
demolished and residents were rehoused in New Towns. During
the 1950s and 60s New Towns sprang up all over the country on
the outskirts of overcrowded towns and cities. In the countryside
outside Liverpool the government created the New Town of
Skelmersdale, and many families were relocated there. Like
many New Towns, Skelmersdale was far more rural in its setting
and the working and middle classes lived in closer proximity. In
Blood Brothers this social upheaval takes place at the end of Act
One. Act One mainly takes place against the backdrop of a
terraced street on the brink of demolition but the final scenes of
the Act show the Johnstone family moving to ’sixty five
Skelmersdale Lane’. Act One ends on a note of optimism as Mrs
Johnstone sings excitedly about her new home, ‘the air is so
pure…the garden’s so big’. Her excitement over simple things we
take for granted ‘we’ll have a front room’ shows how basic her
old house was, how naïve she is and how low her expectations
are.
Housing
Moving from the city slums to the country was a cause for hope,
as Mrs Johnstone says ‘we’ll be all right out here son, away
from the muck an’ the dirt an’ the bloody trouble.’ For the first
time in the play Mrs Johnstone is happy, looking forward to
making a fresh start, ‘Now we can begin again…Got a new
situation, a new destination, an’ no reputation following me.’ Act
one ends with Mrs Johnstone singing the line ‘oh, bright new
day’ striking a note of hope that many families felt when
relocating to New Towns. However, such optimism proved
naïve as the reality of life in the New Towns was far from
paradise (Act Two begins with Mrs Johnstone singing that the
neighbours ‘sometimes fight on Saturday night’ and we hear
dogs barking and a quarrel taking place off stage, ‘What time do
you call this then? Time I got shot of you, rat bag!’) Yet life for
Mrs Johnstone is decidedly better than before. She pays her
bills on time, has rediscovered her social life (going to dances
with Joe the milkman) and is coping better now that some of her
children have grown up and left home.
Teacher-of-English.com
Blood Brothers
Part Three
Lesson 20: Act One Consolidation
Act One Consolidation
Objectives:
To consolidate knowledge and
understanding of Act One.
Act One
Complete the summary of Act One by putting the events in the
correct order
Mickey and Edward meet
Mrs Lyons fires Mrs Johnstone
Mickey, Edward and Linda get into trouble with the police for
throwing stones at windows
Mrs Johnstone and Mrs Lyons discover that the twins have
become friends
Mickey and Edward become blood brothers
Mrs Johnstone announces that she is pregnant with twins
The Johnstone family are rehoused by the council
The narrator tells the audience that Mrs Johnstone has a
‘stone’ in place of a heart
Mrs Lyons hits Edward
Mrs Johnstone agrees to give one of her babies to Mrs Lyons
Act One
1. The narrator tells the audience that Mrs Johnstone has a
‘stone’ in place of a heart
2. Mrs Johnstone announces that she is pregnant with twins
3. Mrs Johnstone agrees to give one of her babies to Mrs Lyons
4. Mrs Lyons fires Mrs Johnstone
5. Mickey and Edward meet
6. Mickey and Edward become blood brothers
7. Mrs Johnstone and Mrs Lyons discover that the twins have
become friends
8. Mrs Lyons hits Edward
9. Mickey, Edward and Linda get into trouble with the police
for throwing stones at windows
10. The Johnstone family are rehoused by the council
The Comic Strip
Create a comic strip version of Act One.
Mrs Johnstone, a poor single
parent, works as a cleaner
for the wealthy Mrs Lyons.
Mickey and Edward meet
aged seven.
Teacher-of-English.com
Blood Brothers
Part Three
Lesson 21: Act Two - Structure
Structure :
Act Two
Objectives:
To develop knowledge and
understanding of Willy Russell’s use
of structure.
Structure
The first scene of Act Two is very similar to the first scene of Act One.
However, some things appear slightly differently in Act Two. Find as
many similarities or differences as you can and enter them in the table.
Act One Scene One
Act Two Scene One
Why do you think Russell structures the play in this way?
Structure
Act One Scene One
Act Two Scene One
Mrs Johnstone sings directly to
the audience
Mrs Johnstone sings directly to
the audience.
The milkman enters and asks Mrs
Johnstone for money
Mrs Johnstone now pays ‘me bills
on time’ and the milkman, Joe,
takes Mrs Johnstone out.
Mrs Johnstone sings the song ‘we
went dancing’
Mrs Johnstone dances with Joe
and sings ‘he takes me dancing’
The name Marilyn Monroe is
repeated
The name Marilyn Monroe is still
repeated
Why has Willy Russell included small differences in Act Two?
What is he saying about Mrs Johnstone’s life? Why is the
name Marilyn Monroe still repeated in Act Two?
Teacher-of-English.com
Blood Brothers
Part Three
Lesson 22: Education
Education
Objectives:
To understand how Willy Russell
explores the theme of
Education in Blood Brothers.
Education
Mickey and Edward have very different
experiences of education. Read the play up to
‘Linda and Mickey leave the class’.
How are Mickey and
Edward’s experiences
of school different?
School
Blood Brothers is a play full of contrasts and the school experience of
Mickey and Edward is again very different. Find examples of how the
schools contrast.
Mickey’s Education
Edward’s Education
Secondary Modern school
Private School
Academic success
Education
Education is a common theme in Willy Russell’s work. Our Day
Out and Educating Rita examine education in much more
detail but Blood Brothers does touch on the theme in a couple
of scenes. The most obvious one is the scene where Mickey is
expelled. Mickey and Linda attend a Secondary Modern
school. Secondary Modern Schools were prevalent through out
Britain in the 1960s and 70s when children took the 11+ exam.
Those who passed the exam went to Grammar Schools whilst
those who failed attended a Secondary Modern. The stage
directions, ‘a class in a secondary Modern school is formed –
all boredom and futility’ suggest criticism of the effectiveness
of such an education system and the events of the scene
appear to emphasize this as the teacher seems frustrated and
his students indifferent. The subject of the lesson (the diet of
the Boro Indians of the Amazon Basin) is almost ridiculously
irrelevant to the lives of the students it is being delivered to.
Here Russell seems to suggest that secondary modern schools
failed many of the students they served.
Education
In contrast Edward attends a private boys boarding
school, he is obviously succeeding academically in
this environment as the teacher mentions that he is
capable of a place at Oxford or Cambridge the most
prestigious Universities in the country. However
Edward rebels against the homophobia (‘this is a
boys’ school…you must behave like one’) and
violence (‘Am I to punish you Lyons? Am I to have
you flogged?’) of the school and is suspended for
swearing at one of the masters. Russell does not
comment overtly on the discussion about state and
private education but shows how education shapes
the futures of young people.
Teacher-of-English.com
Blood Brothers
Part Three
Lesson 23: Building Tension
Building Tension
Objectives:
To develop knowledge and
understanding of how suspense is
created in a key scene of Blood
Brothers
Suspense
In the scene where Mrs Lyons attacks Mrs
Johnstone with a knife suspense is created to
engage the audience and to convey the
deterioration of Mrs Lyons’ mental state.
Find at least five phrases, sentences or
images from the text which heighten
the dramatic tension of this scene then
plot them on a tension graph. See the
next slide for an example…
Climax
Very
tense
Slow
tension
Calm
‘MRS LYONS: Don’t
lie! I know what
you’re doing to me!’
‘Mrs Lyons
appears in
the kitchen…’
Mrs Lyons exits
to the street
Draw a graph to show how tension is created in this scene.
Plenary
Explain how Willy Russell builds
tension in this scene. Refer to
the stage directions, dialogue
and actions in your response and
use your tension graph to help
you.
Extension Activities
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
What does this scene tell us about Mrs Lyons? How has she
changed?
What do you think may have caused Mrs Lyons to change?
What types of sentences are used repeatedly by Mrs Lyons
in this scene? Why do you think Willy Russell has done this?
How does this scene convey the changing fortunes of Mrs
Johnstone and Mrs Lyons?
What does Mrs Johnstone do differently this time when Mrs
Lyons offers her money? What does this suggest?
How has the balance of power changed in the relationship
between Mrs Lyons and Mrs Johnstone?
How is sound used in this scene to build tension?
How does Willy Russell create a sense of foreboding in this
scene?
Teacher-of-English.com
Blood Brothers
Part Two
Lesson 24: Got the Plot?
Got the plot?
Objectives:
• To consolidate knowledge and
understanding of the plot of
Part Three
The story so far
At the start of Act 2 ____ more years have passed and
the twins are __. Mrs Johnstone has made a new life
for herself and appears much _____. Mickey is in love
with ____ but is ______ about it and Edward is away at
______ school. Although things are a lot better for Mrs
Johnstone we see that her children are still causing
trouble; Sammy pulls a _____ out on the bus ______
and Mickey gets _____ from school. We learn that
Edward too has been suspended for _____ at a _____
and while he is back home the twins meet up again.
They are excited and quickly re-establish their good
_____. However, Mrs Lyons is _____ and _____: she
moved here to get away from the ______. She
confronts Mrs Johnstone and tries to ____ her to move
away but this time Mrs Johnstone _____. Mrs Lyons,
desperate, _____ Mrs Johnstone with a ____ but Mrs
Johnstone manages to overpower her. Here we see a
shift of _____ in their relationship. Mrs Lyons is
becoming _____, more paranoid and mentally and
emotionally _____, while Mrs Johnstone is more
responsible and in _____.
The story so far
At the start of Act 2 seven more years have passed and
the twins are 14. Mrs Johnstone has made a new life
for herself and appears much happier. Mickey is in
love with Linda but is embarrassed about it and
Edward is away at boarding school. Although things
are a lot better for Mrs Johnstone we see that her
children are still causing trouble; Sammy pulls a knife
out on the bus conductor and Mickey gets suspended
from school. We learn that Edward too has been
suspended for swearing at a teacher and while he is
back home the twins meet up again. They are excited
and quickly re-establish their good friendship.
However, Mrs Lyons is upset and angry: she moved here
to get away from the Johnstones. She confronts Mrs
Johnstone and tries to pay her to move away but this
time Mrs Johnstone refuses. Mrs Lyons, desperate,
attacks Mrs Johnstone with a knife but Mrs Johnstone
manages to overpower her. Here we see a shift of
power in their relationship. Mrs Lyons is becoming
weaker, more paranoid and mentally and emotionally
unstable, while Mrs Johnstone is more responsible and
in control.
The Comic Strip
Create a comic strip version of Part Three.
Mrs Johnstone has started a
new and better life in
Skelmersdale
Teacher-of-English.com
Blood Brothers
Part Four
Lesson 25: Mickey and Edward
Building Tension
Objectives:
To develop knowledge and
understanding of how Russell develops
the characters of Mickey and Edward in
Blood Brothers
Changing Times
Read up to the scene where Edward returns
from university to celebrate Christmas. It is
obvious that the relationship between the two
friends has changed considerably. But how
have things changed and why?
Changing Times
Think about the Good and Bad times that
Mickey and Edward have experienced during
their lives. What would be the best and worst
thing in each characters life? Would there be
a favourite time of life (childhood,
adolescence, young adulthood, etc)? What
does the future hold for Mickey and Edward.
You could track the course of each character’s
life by plotting a graph to show how their
lives have developed.
Good
Times
Meeting
Edward and
becoming
Blood Brothers
Bad
Times
Growing up poor,
hungry and lonely
Mickey
Complete the missing text to show how Mickey’s life has
unfolded.
Good
Times
Meeting
Mickey and
becoming
Blood
Brothers
Bad
Times
Growing up
rich but
rather
lonely
Edward
Complete the missing text to show how Edward’s life has
unfolded.
Extension Activities
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
What does this scene tell us about Mickey and Edward? How
have they changed?
What do you think may have caused Mickey to change?
How does this scene convey the changing fortunes of Mickey
and Edward?
How is this scene similar to previous scenes between Mrs
Johnstone and Mrs Lyons?
What does Mickey do when Edward offers him money? What
does this suggest?
Mickey says to Edward ‘I grew up. An’ you didn’t, because
you didn’t need to’ What does he mean by this?
How does Willy Russell build tension in this scene?
How does Willy Russell create a sense of foreboding in this
scene?
Teacher-of-English.com
Blood Brothers
Part Four
Lesson 26: Recession
Recession
Objectives:
• To develop knowledge and
understanding of the social and
historical context of the latter
stages of the play
Mickey : Living on the Giro
Whilst the 1960s was a time of economic boom the
seventies and early eighties was an era of recession.
Economic recession often causes the closure of a
number of business which in turn results in mass
unemployment. The immediate casualties of recession
tend to be unskilled workers, the men and women that
work for low pay on the factory floor or labourers
working for construction companies. Without
academic qualifications or specialist skills to fall back
on millions became unemployed. In Act Two Mickey is
made unemployed due to the ‘global slump’ and cannot
get another job. Long term unemployment has a
devastating affects on Mickey’s personality and begins
a chain of events that lead to the deaths of Edward and
himself.
Edward : Recession Proof
Eddie’s family wealth and university education
protects him from the effects of the economic
recession. When me meets Mickey before Christmas
he appears naïve and cannot understand Mickey’s
anger and resentment at being unemployed. Mickey,
increasingly desperate for money and with a wife and
child to provide for, agrees to help Sammy rob the
filling station but he is caught and sent to prison. In
prison Mickey becomes addicted to antidepressants
which causes a strain on his marriage. In complete
contrast Edward’s life continues to improve, he
graduates from university, secures a good job and
looks forward to a bright future.
Create a Collage
Use copies of magazines, newspapers and
catalogues to paste together a collage of
how different Mickey and Edwards lives
are becoming.
Label your collage with quotes from the
play.
This could be placed on display or added
to as the play progresses
Teacher-of-English.com
Blood Brothers
Part Four
Lesson 27: Keeping Track
Keeping Track
Objectives:
• To consolidate knowledge and
understanding of the plot
development in Act Two
Keeping Track
Lots of events take place in Act Two. To help consolidate your
knowledge of the plot, rearrange the following events in the right order:
Mickey loses his job
Edward leaves for university
Linda discovers that she is pregnant
Mickey becomes addicted to anti-depressants
Mrs Lyons attacks Mrs Johnstone
Mickey and Sammy attempt to rob a petrol station
Edward asks Linda to marry him
The Johnstone family move to a new house on the outskirts of Liverpool
Mickey is sent to prison
Keeping Track
It should look like this:
The Johnstone family move to a new house on the outskirts of Liverpool
Mrs Lyons attacks Mrs Johnstone
Edward leaves for university
Linda discovers that she is pregnant
Mickey loses his job
Edward asks Linda to marry him
Mickey and Sammy attempt to rob a petrol station
Mickey is sent to prison
Mickey becomes addicted to anti-depressants
Think about it
1. Why has Edward never told Linda about
his true feelings for her?
2. Why does Mickey agree to get involved
with the robbery?
3. What happens during the robbery? What
are the consequences for Mickey?
4. How does Mickey’s changing fortunes
affect Linda?
5. How do you think Linda secures a new
home for herself and Mickey?
Teacher-of-English.com
Blood Brothers
Part Four
Lesson 26: Linda and Edward
Linda and Edward
Objectives:
• To develop understanding of
how Russell develops
relationships between
characters
Love Triangle
Linda
Mickey
Edward
Linda and Mickey
Linda and Mickey have a complex relationship. The way
Linda interacts with Mickey and Edward is pivotal to our
understanding of her character.
When Mickey is sent to prison there are serious
consequences for Linda and Mickey’s relationship. How
do things change between them?
Mickey’s Feelings
Linda’s Feelings
Linda and Edward
Linda and Edward also have a complex relationship.
When Mickey is addicted to the antidepressant drugs
how do her feelings towards Edward begin to change?
Linda’s Feelings
Edward’s Feelings
Why do her feelings change?
Linda, Mickey and Edward
1.Do you have any sympathy for Linda? Explain
your answer.
2.What do you think of her affair with Edward?
3.Do you think Mickey’s treatment of Linda is
justified? Give reasons to back up your opinion.
4.How do you think Linda feels about Mickey?
Support your answer with evidence from the
text.
5.Why do you think Edward has an affair with
Linda?
6.Can you spot any similarities between Linda and
Mrs Johnstone?
Teacher-of-English.com
Blood Brothers
Part Four
Lesson 27: Got the plot?
Got the plot?
Objectives:
• To consolidate knowledge and
understanding of the plot of Act
Two
The story so far
Autumn arrives and _____ and _____ lives begin
to take separate roads. While Edward is having
fun at _____ Mickey is having to cope with the
_______ of adult life. Linda falls _____ and
Mickey _____ her but soon afterwards Mickey is
made _____ due to the economic ______. At
_____ Edward returns home expecting a _____
but Mickey is not in the mood. Mickey is _____
and _____ of Edward’s life and he tells him to
“beat it before I ___ y’”. Upset, Edward asks
Linda to _____ him, he doesn’t know that she is
already married. Desperate, Mickey decides to
help Sammy in a _____ but he is caught,
arrested and _____ for 7 years.
The story so far
Autumn arrives and Mickey and Edward’s lives
begin to take separate roads. While Edward is
having fun at university Mickey is having to cope
with the responsibilities of adult life. Linda
falls pregnant and Mickey marries her but soon
afterwards Mickey is made redundant due to the
economic recession. At Christmas Edward
returns home expecting a party but Mickey is
not in the mood. Mickey is bitter and jealous of
Edward’s life and he tells him to “beat it before
I hit y’”. Upset, Edward asks Linda to marry
him, he doesn’t know that she is already
married. Desperate, Mickey decides to help
Sammy in a robbery but he is caught, arrested
and imprisoned for 7 years.
The Comic Strip
Create a comic strip version of Part Four.
Edward leaves Liverpool for
university
Teacher-of-English.com
Blood Brothers
Part Four
Lesson 28: In the Hotseat
In the Hotseat
Objectives:
To complete a speaking and
listening activity to develop
your understanding of the
characters
The Deaths of Mickey and Edward
Just as Mrs Lyons said at the
start of the play, as soon as
Mickey and Edward learn
that they were separated at
birth they both die. What
would Mrs Johnstone, Mrs
Lyons and Linda be feeling
and thinking following the
deaths of the twins?
In the hotseat
Split into groups of three. Each member of the group must
assume the identity of a character from the play (either Mrs
Johnstone, Mrs Lyons or Linda). Your teacher will put
forward a series of questions to each of the characters.
Characters must respond to the questions in detail and in
role, showing a depth of understanding of the character and
plot. Some possible questions are included on the next slide.
Mrs
Johnstone
Mrs
Lyons
Linda
Ideas for questions
The following are merely suggestions for questions
which could be directed to the characters.
1. How did you feel when Mickey and Edward were killed?
2. How did you feel when you discovered that Mickey and
Edward were twins (Linda)?
3. What are your thoughts and feelings about Mrs Johnstone?
4. What are your thoughts and feelings about Mrs Lyons?
5. How do you feel about Linda? (Mrs Johnstone & Mrs Lyons)
6. What do you most regret?
7. If you could go back in time what would you do
differently?
Plenary
One or more groups could perform
their hot seating to the class.
Audience members could ask
additional questions to the
characters.
Consider what you have learnt about
some of the characters from
studying this scene.
Teacher-of-English.com
Blood Brothers
Part Four
Lesson 29: Got the plot?
Got the plot?
Objectives:
• To consolidate knowledge and
understanding of the ending of
Blood Brothers
The end of the play
When Mickey emerges from prison he
is addicted to ______ and is difficult
to live with. An _____ Linda seeks
comfort in _____ arms but _____ tells
Mickey about the affair and he flies
into a rage, grabs Sammy’s ___ and
confronts _____ at the ____ ____. In
a desperate attempt to stop Mickey,
______ tells him the truth but rather
than calming things this deepens his
_____, and as he waves the ___ at
Edward it accidentally goes off and
____ Edward. The police marksmen
then ____ Mickey and the play ends
with Mrs Johnstone ____ over her two
dead ____.
The end of the play
When Mickey emerges from prison he
is addicted to anti-depressants and is
difficult to live with. An unhappy
Linda seeks comfort in Edward’s arms
but Mrs Lyons tells Mickey about the
affair and he flies into a rage, grabs
Sammy’s gun and confronts Edward at
the Town Hall. In a desperate
attempt to stop Mickey, Mrs
Johnstone tells him the truth but
rather than calming things this
deepens his anger, and as he waves
the gun at Edward it accidentally goes
off and kills Edward. The police
marksmen then shoot Mickey and the
play ends with Mrs Johnstone crying
over her two dead sons.
The Comic Strip
Create a comic strip version of Part Four.
Mickey is addicted to antidepressants