Blood brothers Summary plot

• Who narrates the story of the Johnstone twins?

  The narrator
• What is Mrs Johnstone's situation when the play begins?

  She is a working-class mother with seven children
• How many children does Mrs Johnstone have by age 25?

  Seven children
• Why does Mrs Johnstone agree to give one of her twins to Mrs Lyons?

  She sees advantages for the child raised by the Lyons
• What does Mrs Lyons make Mrs Johnstone swear on?

  The Bible
• What happens when the twins are born?

  Mrs Lyons takes Edward, Mrs Johnstone keeps Mickey
• How does Mrs Lyons manipulate Mrs Johnstone's beliefs?

  She plays on her superstitions about the twins
• What do the boys become when they meet at age seven?

  Blood Brothers
• How does Mrs Lyons react when Mickey visits their house?

  She warns Edward not to associate with him
• Who protects Mickey at school?

  Linda
• What happens when the policeman visits the homes?

  He threatens Mrs Johnstone and reassures Mrs Lyons
• What does Mr Lyons agree to do after the policeman's visit?

  Move away
• What does Mrs Johnstone give Edward before he leaves?

  A locket with Mickey's photograph
• How does the first act end?

  With Mrs Johnstone declaring a 'bright new day'
• How much time has passed by the start of Act 2?

  Seven years
• What are Mickey and Edward experiencing at age 14?

  Adolescent worries and insecurities
• How does Linda's relationship with Mickey change by age 14?

  She openly declares her love for him
• What trouble do Mickey and Edward get into at school?

  Edward refuses to hand over a locket
• What does Mrs Lyons discover about the locket?

  It was given to Edward by Mrs Johnstone
• What happens when Linda and Mickey walk in the field?

  Linda storms off due to Mickey's silence
• How do Mickey and Edward feel about each other when they meet again?

  They wish they were like each other
• What does Mrs Lyons accuse Mrs Johnstone of doing?

  Following her and spoiling her relationship with Edward
• What does Mrs Lyons do in a fit of anger?

  She attacks Mrs Johnstone with a knife
• How does the friendship between Linda and Mickey evolve?

  They eventually kiss and marry
• What happens after Linda becomes pregnant?

  She marries Mickey
• What job does Mickey get after marrying Linda?

  A job in a box factory
• What leads to Mickey's argument with Edward?

  Mickey loses his job and feels resentful
• What happens to Mickey after he is made redundant?

  He commits a crime and goes to prison
• How does Mickey change after prison?

  He becomes depressed and addicted to pills
• What is Edward's occupation after school?

  A city councillor
• What does Mrs Lyons see that upsets her?

  Edward and Linda together
• What does Mickey do at the council meeting?

  He threatens Edward
• What does Mrs Johnstone reveal to Mickey?

  That he and Edward are brothers
• What tragic event occurs at the end of the play?

  Mickey accidentally kills Edward
• What does the narrator ask at the end of the play?

  What lessons can be learned from the tale?
• When was Blood Brothers first written?

  1981
• What award did Blood Brothers win?

  Olivier Award for Best New Musical
• What social context does Blood Brothers explore?

  Families, school, housing, role of women, unemployment
• What cultural influences are present in Blood Brothers?

  Fashion, music, architecture
• How does the historical context affect the play?

  It reflects economic decline and unemployment