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'. [IMAGE] 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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