Writing your Assignment  

Imagine you are directing the final scene in Blood Brothers, by Willy Russell.  

Explain how you would present the scene on stage, and why.

Write your assignment in three sections, addressing:

●   The play

●   The characters

●   The presentation of the scene

The Play

1.   Start by writing a BRIEF passage on the general story, drawing out its ideas, themes and mood.

2.   Write about Willy Russell, and what he was trying to do.

3.   Write a strong paragraph on the last scene – describing what happens, and showing how the last scene illustrates (is a culmination of) the ideas and themes in the play.

4.   Finish this section with a strong paragraph(s) analysing the mood and language of the last scene.

Possible sentence starters:

§      Blood Brothers is a story about…   <quickly summarise the main elements of the story>

§      The play was written by Willy Russell in 1983, when…   <briefly write about the historical context of the play.>

§      The 3 main themes of the play are…   <write about the themes>

§      The play changes mood quickly, from … to …   <write about two scenes which have contrasting moods>

§      The story ends with a <adjective> last scene…   <quickly describe what happens>

The Characters

1.   This section will have three paragraphs, on each of the three characters in the last scene.

2.   For each character, write a little to describe their personality and actions in the play, but then...

3.   … for each character, analyse how this leads to their actions and behaviour in the last scene.

4.   Also for each character, talk about how you would want the actor to play the scene,

Possible sentence starters:

§      In the story <name of character> is...    <write about the actions and personality of a character in the play.>

§      All this comes out in the final scene when …   <write about their behaviour in the final scene.>

§      This is shown when <she/he> says: “…”.   Here, Willy Russell is showing how… <you MUST illustrate your ideas with quotes from the last scene – and remember to explain and analyse the quotes you choose >

§      Therefore I would want the actor playing <name of character> to...    <write at as great length as you can about how you would want the actor to portray the character, mentioning stance, body language and delivery of speeches – and if you can, relating this to things they say in the scene>

The Presentation of the Drama

1.   In this section, you will write two paragraphs about the dramatic devices you would use if you were directing the last scene of the play, viz.:

§      A paragraph on how the set would look at the beginning of the scene – the backdrop, lighting, props, costumes, sound (if any) and mood.

§      A paragraph on the action as it changes during the scene, and how you would direct each change – entrances and exits, position and movement, use of space, changes of lighting and sound.

2.   Explain how you would use these things to enhance the dramatic effect you want to achieve – and how this fits in with Willy Russell’s intended effect on the audience.

3.   What is the climax of the scene, and how have you made it special?

Possible sentence starters:

§      I would set up the stage…   <describe how the set would look at the start of the scene, making sure you mention backdrop, lighting, props, costumes, sound (if any), and mood (perhaps mention what other productions did, and why yours is better.>

§      The effect I want to achieve on the audience is… <describe it>.   This fits in with what Willy Russell intended for the play because…   <write as much as you can here.>

§      The action would begin with…   Next…   Then…   < write about everything that would happen, and how you would direct it, mentioning entrances and exits, position and movement, use of space, changes of lighting and sound.   Don’t forget – WHEREVER POSSIBLE – to explain HOW this will help create the mood and effect you are going for. >