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Blood Brothers Act One

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The opening scene of the play shows two dead bodies on stretchers surrounded by police and onlookers. As the onlookers exit, the narrator begins telling the story of the Johnstone twins, who were separated at birth with one kept by their mother and one given away. The narrator reveals that the twins grew up not knowing they were brothers and ultimately died on the same day, with their mother crying over her "own dear sons." He questions whether the audience has heard this story before and sets up the reenactment of the twins' deaths as the play begins.

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BLOOD BROTHERS – ACT 0NE L.O: TO ANALYSE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PLAY’S OPENING.
The play opens on a council chamber, two dead bodies are lying on stretchers surrounded by police and onlookers. As the narrator explains the story, the onlookers slowly start to exit, leaving only the narrator and a grieving woman on stage (Overture). What is gained by showing us the ending at the start? Tell me it’s not true
Act 1 Synopsis- First Part - The narrator speaks as though telling an old story. What is the effect of this? - Why does he use rhyme? - Why does the narrator use questioning here? ‘So did y’hear the story of the Johnstone twins?’
MRS JOHNSTONE (Singing) Tell me it’s not true. Say it’s just a story. The NARRATOR steps forward. NARRATOR (speaking) So did y’hear the story of the Johnstone twins? As like each other as two new pins, Of one womb born, on the self same day, How one was kept and one given away? An’ did you never hear how the Johnstones died, Never knowing that they shared one name, Till the day they died, when a mother cried My own dear sons lie slain? The lights come up to show a re-enactment of the final moments of the play – the deaths of MICKY and EDWARD. The scene fades. MRS JOHNSTONE enters with her back to the audience. NARRATOR An’ did y’ never hear of the mother, so cruel. There’s a stone in place of her heart? Then bring her on and come judge for yourselves How she came to play this part.
• Tell a story • Uses poetry or song • A way to spread news hundreds of years ago • Common themes – love, death or the supernatural BALLADS
Marilyn Monroe • Why is this told as a song? • Consider what we learn about characters, setting, themes • Look at the language used- humour, use of dancing as a metaphor, and Marilyn Monroe as an icon.
MRS JOHNSTONE What are your first impressions of the character? What do we learn about her background and personality in the first section of the play? What is the purpose of the narrator’s description of her? Use quotations to back up all of your points.

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Blood Brothers Act One

  • 1. BLOOD BROTHERS – ACT 0NE L.O: TO ANALYSE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PLAY’S OPENING.
  • 2. The play opens on a council chamber, two dead bodies are lying on stretchers surrounded by police and onlookers. As the narrator explains the story, the onlookers slowly start to exit, leaving only the narrator and a grieving woman on stage (Overture). What is gained by showing us the ending at the start? Tell me it’s not true
  • 3. Act 1 Synopsis- First Part - The narrator speaks as though telling an old story. What is the effect of this? - Why does he use rhyme? - Why does the narrator use questioning here? ‘So did y’hear the story of the Johnstone twins?’
  • 4. MRS JOHNSTONE (Singing) Tell me it’s not true. Say it’s just a story. The NARRATOR steps forward. NARRATOR (speaking) So did y’hear the story of the Johnstone twins? As like each other as two new pins, Of one womb born, on the self same day, How one was kept and one given away? An’ did you never hear how the Johnstones died, Never knowing that they shared one name, Till the day they died, when a mother cried My own dear sons lie slain? The lights come up to show a re-enactment of the final moments of the play – the deaths of MICKY and EDWARD. The scene fades. MRS JOHNSTONE enters with her back to the audience. NARRATOR An’ did y’ never hear of the mother, so cruel. There’s a stone in place of her heart? Then bring her on and come judge for yourselves How she came to play this part.
  • 5. • Tell a story • Uses poetry or song • A way to spread news hundreds of years ago • Common themes – love, death or the supernatural BALLADS
  • 6. Marilyn Monroe • Why is this told as a song? • Consider what we learn about characters, setting, themes • Look at the language used- humour, use of dancing as a metaphor, and Marilyn Monroe as an icon.
  • 7. MRS JOHNSTONE What are your first impressions of the character? What do we learn about her background and personality in the first section of the play? What is the purpose of the narrator’s description of her? Use quotations to back up all of your points.