1. Copyright 2007 www.englishteaching.co.uk Blood Brothers Lesson notes Act One

2. Copyright 2007 www.englishteaching.co.uk

3. Superstition A superstition is the irrational belief that future events are influenced by specific behaviours, without having a physical connection. How many superstitions can you think of?

4. Copyright 2007 www.englishteaching.co.uk In Act One Mrs Johnstone sings a song called ‘Marilyn Monroe’ which tells the audience about her life so far. Your task is to put these events in the right order She got married Had six more children She fell inlove Her husband left her Found out she was pregnant with Darren Wayne

5. Copyright 2007 www.englishteaching.co.uk The correct order… She fell in love Found out she was pregnant with Darren Wayne She got married Had six more children Her husband left her

6. Copyright 2007 www.englishteaching.co.uk The Baby Plan Mrs Lyons is very good at getting her own way. The audience knows that Mrs Johnstone doesn’t want to give the baby away. How does Mrs Lyons persuade Mrs Johnstone? She doesn’t let Mrs Johnstone speak and oftens interupts her when she tries to speak. She reminds Mrs Johnstone about the Welfare to make her feel bad She starts to beg Mrs Johnstone She tells Mrs Johnstone how many nice things she can buy the child.

7. Copyright 2007 www.englishteaching.co.uk Complete the summary and choose the correct word. So far in Blood Brothers… Mrs Johnstone explains to (MRS/MR) Lyons that she is pregnant with (TRIPLETS / TWINS). Mrs Lyons can’t have children of her own so persuades Mrs Johnstone to give her (ONE BABY/ ADVISE) They make a promise on the Bible. Soon after the twins are born, Mrs Lyons becomes (JEALOUS / HAPPY) of the bond between her son Edward and Mrs Johnstone. She fires Mrs Johnstone and breaks her (LEG / PROMISE).

8. Copyright 2007 www.englishteaching.co.uk Looking at the class differences Mickey (working class)Edward (upper class) The language he uses – slang and swears “ But I ’ m not playing ’ now ‘ cos I ’ m pissed off. ” Pg24 The language he uses in Standard English. He doesn ’ t swear and says his word correctly. “ weel, my mummy doesn ’ t allow me to play down here actually ” pg 23 Clothing Behaviour “ He wees straight through the letter box.. I tried to do it one night/ But had to stand on a crate ”. Pg 22 Does not know about silver service/rules of dining Knows about silver service /rules of dining

9. Copyright 2007 www.englishteaching.co.uk JESTNOSHMORNMRS JOHNSTONE SLYNORMSMRS LYONS MASMYSAMMY RADWEDEDWARD ANLIDLINDA ICKYMEMICKEY RANTROARNARRATOR MORNSLYMR LYONS Character Anagrams Rearrange the letters to find the names of the main characters in ‘Blood Brothers’.

10. Copyright 2007 www.englishteaching.co.uk The correct answers… MRS JOHNSTONE MRS LYONS SAMMY EDWARD LINDA MICKEY NARRATOR MR LYONS

11. Copyright 2007 www.englishteaching.co.uk After the incident in the park the policeman visits Mickey and Edwards parents. The way he speaks to them is very different. With Mrs Johnstone he is quite nasty. He threatens to take her to court if she cant control her children. With Mr Lyons he is very friendly and makes out that the crime wasn’t serious. The main reason for the difference is their social class. The policeman clearly has more respect for Mr Lyons. Another explanation could be their gender difference. The Policeman

12. Copyright 2007 www.englishteaching.co.uk You have finished Act One Well Done! 1. Write a summary of Act One- you must not write more than 100 words. 2. Write a paragraph which says what the mood is like at the end of the act and the reasons for it. 3. Write what you think will happen in Act Two – we already know they die so think of something different!