Blood Brothers Play Guide for AQA GCSE Drama

SECTION B STUDY OF A SET PLAY: BLOOD BROTHERS 47 Task B28 Read pages 18–19, when Mrs Lyons comes to take the infant Edward. Mrs Lyons’ initial motivation is to take one of the babies, and Mrs Johnstone’s is to delay or prevent this. 1 As Mrs Lyons, experiment with the following different subtexts in the line ‘They’re born, you didn’t notify me.’: A You have heard that the babies were born and are angry that Mrs Johnstone didn’t tell you. B You are nervous that Mrs Johnstone will change her mind so don’t want to frighten her. C You want to remind Mrs Johnstone of her obligation to you and to assert your dominance as her employer. 2 How did the different subtexts affect your voice? Choose the delivery that you found most effective and make notes on: • Volume • Tone • Pace • Emphasis on certain words. 3 As a performer playing Mrs Johnstone, how would you use your voice to reply? Experiment with her line ‘Well, I... I just... it’s... couldn’t I keep them for a few more days, please, please, they’re a pair, they go together.’ Try the following: A You are trying to delay and avoid giving Mrs Lyons one of the babies. B You feel depressed and are resigned to giving up one of the babies. C You are emotional and desperate to keep both of the babies. 4 How did the different subtexts affect your voice? Again, write about the delivery that you thought was most effective and why. 5 Now, looking specifically at Mrs Johnstone’s line You’d better… ‘You’d better see which one you want,’ write a response to the following exam-style question: You are performing the role of Mrs Johnstone. Describe how you would use your vocal and physical skills to perform this line. Explain the effects you wish to create. Task B29 Complete the following grid, showing acting skills at key points in the play. Some ideas have been suggested for you. Consider the following vocal and physical skills each time: • Accent/dialect • Pauses and pace • Gestures • Tone • Volume • Gait and posture • Facial expressions. Scene/pages Mrs Johnstone Mrs Lyons 8–9: Mrs Lyons explains that they haven’t been able to have children Vocal skills: Cheerful. Liverpool working-class dialect. Speaks respectfully to her employer. Physical skills: Vocal skills: Confident, friendly tone. Received pronunciation. Tone of voice is sadder and slower when she explains that she is afraid they can never have children. Physical skills: 22: Mrs Lyons accuses Mrs Johnstone of selling her baby Vocal skills: Physical skills: Vocal skills: Physical skills: 78: Mrs Lyons tries to pay Mrs Johnstone to move away Vocal skills: Physical skills: Vocal skills: Physical skills: