Studied Drama Text:
‘Blood Brothers’
Liverpool
Liverpool, because of its position on the River
Mersey, was a prosperous seaport in the 19th
century. It is a city of many contrasts. In the 20th
century, because of the silting of the river, it was a
place of financial depression, which led to
unemployment and strikes. There was a big gap
between the rich and the poor.
The People of Liverpool
Liverpudlians are known for their warmth,
Hospitality and wit. Liverpool is also famous for its football teams and impact on
culture such as the Mersey Beat (poetry), the Beatles (music) and playwrights,
architects etc. Mrs Johnstone’s wit and warmth typify these qualities.
Grammar Schools
Students at grammar schools studied academic subjects and took O levels. Some
went on to take A levels, while others were under pressure from parents to leave
school, get a job and bring money into the household. There were far fewer
university places then, so most would go into employment after school.
Secondary Modern Schools
Children who failed the 11+ would go to a secondary modern school to be
prepared for life in the trades. Boys would study practical skills like bricklaying,
alongside academic work, and girls would learn how to cook. Many of
these schools were under-funded.
Qualifications
If students were not considered ‘bright’ they were not
allowed to take CSEs. These qualifications were not
worth as much as O Levels, taken at grammar school.
(GCSEs are much more inclusive) So it was common for
children to leave school without any qualifications at
all. It was more
Unemployment reached 25% in the 1980s. At the
time the play is set, factories were closing down. At
the start of act 2, Sammy is already on the dole, and
the song ‘Take a Letter Miss Jones’ illustrates how
this
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