This document provides background information on the play "Blood Brothers" and its author Willy Russell. It discusses the context in which the play was written, including high unemployment in 1980s Liverpool under Margaret Thatcher. It also gives contextual details about the time period and setting of the play in Liverpool between the 1950s-1970s. The document aims to help readers understand the title, emotional implications, and context of the play before reading it.

1. BLOOD BROTHERSAim:
-To consider the connotations of the
title
- To consider the emotional implications
of the story
-To understand the context of the play.

2. Making predictions
Reading on the lines (the
obvious) what do you think of
when you hear the title?
Perhaps focus on the meanings
of each word first…

3. Reading between the lines, can you think of
any possible connotations of ‘Blood Brothers’?

4. Reading beyond the lines, can you make any
predictions as to what this play is about?
Do you think this will be a happy play? Explain
your answer.

5.  Willy Russell was from Liverpool.
 He was from a working class background.
 Russell left school at 15 with no
qualifications.
 He did various difficult and low paid jobs –
he trained to be a hairdresser.
 Russell then decided to go back to school.
 He eventually got all his qualifications and
became a teacher.
Background to the Author

6. Background to the Play
• The play was written in the 1980s
• In the 80s there was high unemployment
• Margaret Thatcher was Prime Minister
• She introduced ‘free market’ policies
which were good for companies and
factories but not good for ordinary
workers
• Liverpool, where the play is set, had
particular problems with unemployment

7. Place: Liverpool
Copyright © 2009 englishteaching.co.uk
 Liverpool, because of its position on the River
Mersey, was a prosperous seaport in the 19th
century.
 It is a city of many contrasts.
 In the 20th
century, because of the silting of
the river, it was a place of financial depression,
which led to unemployment and strikes.
 There was a big gap between the rich and the
poor.

8. The people of Liverpool
 Liverpudlians are known for
their warmth, hospitality
and wit.
 Liverpool is also famous for
its football teams and
impact on culture – the
Mersey Beat (poetry), the
Beatles (music) and
playwrights, architects etc.
 Mrs Johnstone’s wit and
warmth typify these
qualities.
Copyright © 2009 englishteaching.co.uk

9. Time
 Blood Brothers is set in
Liverpool, between the 1950s
and the 1970s.
 At the time, people strongly
disapproved of sex before
marriage and this is why Mrs
Johnstone ‘has to’ marry
quickly.
 Divorce was uncommon and this
is another reason the
neighbours might disapprove of
her.
Copyright © 2009 englishteaching.co.uk

10. What happened to the
Johnstone twins?

11. Do the first lines from
the narrator and Mrs
Johnstone change your
predictions?

12. Why would a mother give
away her baby?
Discuss in pairs and make a
list in your books.