Blood Brothers Play Guide for AQA GCSE Drama

COMPONENT 1 UNDERSTANDING DRAMA 44 Characterisation focus on Mickey and Edward Mickey and Edward, and their similarities and differences, are at the heart of Blood Brothers . By using twins separated soon after birth, Willy Russell’s play directly asks the question about whether our fate is determined by our upbringing, which is part of the nature versus nurture debate. Task B24 What are the similarities and differences between Mickey and Edward? Look at the statements below. If a statement is true only for Mickey, put it in his section of a Venn diagram. If a statement is true just for Edward, put it in his section. For any statement true of both boys, put it in the overlapping section. Differences and misunderstandings A significant element of the comedy in the first meeting between Mickey and Edward derives from the differences between the two characters and their misunderstandings of each other. Although the audience is aware that they are twins, the boys are not. This is an example of dramatic irony . If you were performing as Mickey or Edward, you would need to consider how you might emphasise the differences between them. KEY TERMS Nature versus nurture: An area of debate that seeks to determine if there are genetic and biological issues (nature) that determine a person’s characteristics and behaviour or whether environmental issues, including home life and education (nurture) are more important. The study of identical twins separated at birth is important in this area of sociology, as twins are as close as two people can be in terms of genetics, but, in these cases, are raised in different environments. Received pronunciation (RP): A way of speaking that is considered the ‘standard’ form of English pronunciation. It is associated with education and formal speaking. Dramatic irony: When the audience knows something that one or more characters on stage do not. Is middle class. Speaks with received pronunciation (or another middle-class dialect). Raised by Mrs Johnstone. Attends a private boarding school. Is a twin. Enjoys teenage summers with Linda. Goes to university. Is in love with Linda. Is working class. Has a sense of humour. Speaks in a Liverpool dialect. Mrs Johnstone is their birth mother. Raised by Mrs Lyons. Goes to a secondary modern school. Loses his job in the box factory. Goes to prison. Dies at the end of the play. Is in love with Linda. Mickey Edward