OCR GCSE Drama

29 When depicting the context of the play, there are a number of factors to consider, such as: • How much money a character might have • Fashions of the 1960s to 1980s • The influence of youth culture and celebrities – such as rock musicians, movie stars or football players – on fashions • The occupation of the characters • The ages of the characters • Props characters might use, such as toys or books from the period • Types of houses and furnishings available for working-class and middle- class families. A Look at the list of costume items and props below and sort them into whether they would be more appropriate for Mrs Johnstone or Mrs Lyons: B Then draw a sketch showing how you believe the characters should be costumed in the scene in which they first appear together. What are the most noticeable differences? C Annotate your sketches to explain what the costumes indicate about the characters and their contexts. TASK 3.5 Nineteen-year-old Everton goalkeeper Andy Rankin in Liverpool, 1964. Look at the list of key moments from the play below and write one or two sentences about each to explain what it tells you about the social or historical context of the play. (The first one has been completed for you.) 1 Mrs Johnstone is afraid the social services will take away her children. This shows how working-class single mothers were judged by others and often struggled to make ends meet. 2 The Policeman treats the Lyons and Mrs Johnstone very differently. 3 Mickey and Edward go to different schools. 4 Mickey is unemployed and turns to crime. TASK 3.4 In your exam questions, alternative wording might be used instead of ‘context’, such as ‘reflect the time in which the play was written’ or ‘show when and where the play is set’. TIP: Light-blue cashmere jumper and cardigan (twin set) Casual, knee-length polyester skirt Low-heeled, well-worn shoes New leather shoes with heels Baggy orange cardigan Leather clutch bag Tweed skirt Feather duster Flowered apron String of pearls A magazine advertisement for a twin set and jacket. Mrs Lyons’ would more likely have been cashmere than brushed nylon, but the style and colours could be similar. bLOOD bROTHERS