Willy Russell's Blood Brothers

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Willy Russell's Blood Brothers

For those of studying the play at GCSE here is a some information on

the text, background of the play, the author (Willy Russell) and it's

themes, plot and setting. It's probably not much, but here it is if

it's any use....

Setting:

The play is set in Liverpool, 1962 and continues for around 20 years.

Mrs Johnstone and her family live in a poor part of Liverpool in

contrast Mr and Mrs Lyons live a comfortable life in the more

comfortable end of town.

Willy Russell (The Author):

Willy Russell was born just outside Liverpool in Whiston, 1947. After

leaving school with one English O-level, he then went on became a

ladies hairdresser. In his spare time he would write comical songs but

would never sing them in public until one night at his local pub, his

friend put him up to sing, and for the first time sang a song he wrote

about the 'Kirkby Estate' where he had his audience in 'gales of

laughter'.

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From then on this became frequent. In the back of his mind he had

always had the thought of writing a play. In 1972 'Blind Scouse' was

premierd at the Endinbourgh Festival and later on he wrote many more

which have become widley known such as 'Educating Rita' which was made

into a film in 1981 starring Michael Cain and Julie Walters, 'Shirly

Valentine' the screenplay written in 1990 starring Pauline Collins.

'Stags and Hens' which first premierd at the Everyman Theatre,

Liverpool in 1978 and then was transfered to a film 'Dancin Through

the Dark' the screenplay was also written in 1990, and then finally of

course, 'Blood Brothers' which was produced in 1983, it first opened

in Liverpool but then transfered to London however it wasn't too

successful and closed. Bill Kenwright opened a new production in 1988,

along with the show opening on Broadway in 1993.

Willy Russell, as a child grew up with mostly women around him, his

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