Analysis of Blood Brother Theatre - Coursework Example

Introduction The ability to use stage direction and specific components in the environment is able to create the right atmosphere for any production. In the production, “Blood Brothers” by Willy Russell, there are specific concepts that are used to enhance the performance. The combination of the plot works with the spatial, visual and aural concepts with the stage to create the perfect concept of the musical. This is based around creating an effective performance that focuses on a combination of character development and plot development. This is based around the music that is in the production to enhance the performance and to show specific concepts about the play. The directions used and the specific ideals throughout this musical then work together to create a commentary about society and to show the tragedy of the main viewpoints of the writer. Overview The production of “Blood Brothers” at the Phoenix Theatre consists of specific ideologies that are related to the performance of the musical, all which are used to create the plot and dramatic ending to the performance. There are two main acts that are a part of this play. The first one is comedic in nature and is based on the twins, Edward and Mickey growing up together. Behind this is a secret from the mother because she had to separate the two boys at birth. She didn’t have enough money to care for both and gave one to the care taker she worked for. The first act begins with this, then moves into the comedic nature of the boys growing up together. The second act moves into a more dramatic act, with the focus on the separation of the two boys at a later time in their life. This is combined with both falling in love with the same girl and the eventual breakdown of Mickey. The continuous drama reaches the climax when both boys meet again after Edward has an affair with Mickey’s wife, Linda. Mickey threatens to kill him, until their mother comes and reveals the truth. After they find out, Edward is killed by Mickey and Mickey is shot by a cop because of a mistake from a robbery. This ends the play with the well known song, “Tell Me It’s Not True.” The basic features that are a part of this performance are tied together by the musical numbers that are in each of the scenes in both acts. This builds the character development and also is able to state the atmosphere of the program. The stage direction works in combination with this to create a specific environment and to show the development of the plot. The production and the specific direction that is required throughout this musical is then able to provide a stronger climax and ending to the piece, while giving the audience an understanding of the main points in the musical. Review of Blood Brothers The beginning of “Blood Brothers” and the atmosphere that is created starts before the production begins. The Phoenix Theatre is a larger space with three levels of seating available. There is an older look to the seating and to the top area, with some ornamentation to the building. The stage is a medium size as well. This combination immediately creates the atmosphere for the play and puts one in the right setting that prepares for the play. The set and the programme from the beginning combine with this specific atmosphere. The set is simpler in nature, with two brick like buildings on stage left and stage right of the stage. There is a backdrop scene that has a nature setting and looks as though it is by a village. This lets the viewer know before the start of the play where the play will take place and what the atmosphere will be throughout the play. The programme that begins keeps the same setting and scenery through both acts. Even though there are several changes in the program, the scene does not change. The plots that are added in throughout the play are simplistic and are used to accent the musical numbers or the actions that are taking place. Doing this then creates a different atmosphere and provides a focus on the feelings and thoughts of the characters throughout the play. By doing this, there is the ability to show a specific set of ideas of what the characters are thinking through each of the scenes and acts. The intervals and throughout each of the scenes keeps this same atmosphere. This is seen specifically with the changes being in the musical numbers that contrast throughout the scenes. This begins with the first musical number, which takes place right after the overture, played by the orchestra pit. The first musical piece is “Marilyn Monroe.” The opening scene is appealing because it shows a fun atmosphere that is linked to the idea of love. There are two pairs of dancers on stage left and two pairs of dancers on stage right. The main character, Mrs Johnstone sings in center stage to show that she is the one that is feeling like Marilyn Monroe. There is open space and no props on the stage, which allows the atmosphere to be created by the characters. The characters leave with the main character singing the last verse. This shows a change in atmosphere and mood from fun and into the realization that she is pregnant. During this last part, the lighting changes with the focus on Mrs Johnstone, as opposed to full stage lighting. After this initial song, the scenery slightly changes to the home that Mrs Johnstone works in. However, this continues with the same simple setting, with only a couch and some side accessories in the area. The space is open with more room to accent the specific situation. While both of the characters are singing, there is a strong interaction between them, specifically with the focus on having a child. Both women show an agreement with each other when planning for the future of the children. Doing this is significant in showing the relationship and trust between the two women, shown specifically by having both characters remain close to each other and at stage right. The lighting is focused on this without much space used through the rest of the settings. This also relates to the third song with the same intimacy, “Easy Terms.” There are very few props and Mrs Johnstone is singing alone with a stroller in front of her. The interaction is between her and the baby in the stroller. This shows the love that the character has toward the child and also shows her thoughts and feelings toward the situation. One can see from this situation that the desire is to keep the child safe, despite the conditions. One of the proponents that begins to appear at the beginning of the play and shows as a highlight in the next scene is the narration. This guides the play while allowing the audience to have more insight into what is occurring. The narrator works to link together the different concepts in the play. In the beginning, the narrator is always seen to the back, stage right or stage left. When the song “Shoes Upon the Table” is in the script, the narrator becomes the spotlight. Even though the narrator is telling what is happening with Mrs Johnstone and the baby, the voice of the narrator is telling about something deeper. Having the spotlight on the narrator works to create an understanding of how the musical is moving forward, combined with the ability to show some of the extra emotions and thoughts through the situation. This is further seen in the musical number, “Gypsies in the Woods,” which is a reprise of the initial song to show the same feelings and thoughts of the mother. The setting on the stage then changes with the musical piece, “Kids Game.” There are several actors and actresses that are on the stage, all which use the complete area to play. In this scene, there is a sense of playfulness and chaos. At the same time, there is a highlight to show the beginning of the relationship between Mickey and Edward and their meeting. The same environment is seen in the last musical number of the first act with “Bright New Day.” Mrs Johnstone is in center stage and interacts with Mickey. However, there are several that are moving around her to show the celebration of the move that is being made. At this point, the backdrop scene works as a part of the movement on stage. The next pieces are used to show the relationship between Mickey and Edward and the separation that they begin to go through. “My Friend” shows this first. At the first part, Mickey is alone and stays on stage right. When Edward comes in, he stays close to stage left. While both are singing, they do not notice each other on stage. When they come close to center stage, they sit with their backs toward each other. This shows a separation between the two, even though they desire to be close. The spotlight is on both separately, which also adds into this idea of separation and moving away from each other, without the desire to have the move occur. The separation of Mickey and Edward leads into the second act of the play. The first few numbers in the second act work as a reminder of the first scene; however, the atmosphere slightly changes with the music. The first number is “Marilyn Monroe,’ similar to the beginning of the play. However, in this number, the music stays the same but Mrs Johnstone and one other man are seen without the extra dancers. This immediately reminds the audience of the atmosphere but takes away a feeling of entertainment that was introduced in the first scenes. This is followed by “Devil’s Got Your Number,” which is another reprise from the first act, similar to “Gypsy in the Woods.” The scenery is the same, with little to no props and with the spotlight on the narrator, which is able to move the story forward through this number. These two reprises work to show a changed attitude for the second scene. The direction allows the audience to remember the first act and also provides a different atmosphere and slight change to the plot. These two introductory musical numbers then show the division between Edward and Mickey when they meet at 14 with the musical song “That Guy.” This has similar stage instruction to “My Friend.” Mickey is with Linda at first, in which there is a noted tension between the two as she tries to seduce and guide him. After she leaves, Mickey begins to sing on stage right. Edward comes in at stage left. The important part at this section is the different costume design that both have. Mickey is seen in ruffled clothing that represents the lower class. Edward is seen in neat and ironed clothing that shows he is of the upper class. Neither interacts through this piece, but stay on opposite sides of the stage. This is one of the defining points in the musical, as it represents how the division between the two boys continued to happen. At this phase in the musical, the tone begins to get darker, with the narrator again singing the reprise. “I’m Not Saying a Word,” where Linda and Mickey have an affair without Edward’s knowledge is one of the ways in which this is seen. However, this is furthered as Mickey gets in to trouble and goes to jail. “Marilyn Monroe” is sung again as a reprise. However, this time the music is slower. Mrs Johnstone is seen singing to stage right, then stage left. Mickey is to center stage right with two bars in back of him. The other minor characters are surrounding Mickey but are in the back. Even though this song is sung by Mrs Johnstone, there are two highlights with this direction. The first is on the mother being worried and the second is on the change in Mickey’s personality. Using the same song as the opening, but combining this with a slower and more melancholy pace then links the ideas from the beginning of the play into the idea of consequences that are paid because of the situation Mrs Johnstone has been in. This further develops the main ideas that the writer had when representing class differences and life struggles. It is after this point that the direction is able to lead to the climax of the piece. This slows down slightly with the musical song, “Light Romance.” Mrs Johnstone is seen singing on the balcony at centre stage with dancers on stage left and right below the balcony. This break quickly ends with a change in music to a fast pace that leads the mother off the balcony. The song “Madman” begins which is to lead to the climax of the musical. This is sung by the narrator and shows Mickey appearing after finding Edward kissing Linda, who is now his wife. This is intertwined with Mickey not taking his anti-depressants and a possible robbery that he has just committed. When he comes on stage, he doesn’t come from the side, but instead runs from the centre aisle of the audience and onto stage. This is followed by their mother running onto stage from the centre aisle. Having this alternative way of getting on stage creates more suspense with this scene and helps to set up the climax. Linda then approaches the two men in the same way, all which adds to the tension of this particular scene. Instead of having a set of lights, there are individual spotlights on the characters, which shows more tension to the climax and scene. After both brothers are shot, there are specific stage directions that are used to end the play. The brothers are both lying in the same position at centre stage with their mother kneeling in between them and holding their hands. There is one spotlight on the centre stage to show the unifying force of the three in this family. Linda and the secondary characters slowly come out from the back stage to support the last song and to end the scene. Not having a lot of movement in this last part and showing this specific pose helps to add to the drama and tragedy of the piece and allows the direction to focus on the drama of the last song while driving in the main points that the writer has focused on. The spatial area, through each of these scenes is done to show a relationship between characters, as well as the division between characters. The only time in which the entire stage is used is when there are several characters to show a different type of motion and action. This is combined with the spatial use of the aisles in the last scene, which creates a sense of audience relationship and tension for the climax of the play. The use of space, in each of these scenes, then works to provide a sense of understanding about the relationships to each of the characters, as well as the division that is caused. The visual setting is one that is simplistic and minimalist in nature. The set stays the same through both scenes, with very few changes in the back drop. The costumes have the same simplicity, with everyday clothing remaining the same throughout each of the scenes. The only significant changes are when Edward and Mickey are seen with different outfits that portray the idea of class. The props and lighting are similar to this, which remain simple with one or two alterations to highlight the situation or relationship occurring. There are no special effects that are used throughout this play because of the simplicity and because of the focus on the different musical numbers as the main focus to bring out the point of the play. The stage management used for scene changes and alterations keeps the same simplicity. Through most of the play, the actors and actresses bring in extra props that need to be used, such as with the stroller in the second scene. Doing this creates a more realistic idea of the play and has a sense of simplistic movement. The direction that is combined with this is used to show the interactions and interpretation of the play, which is also simplistic and is based on the establishment of relationships between each of the characters. Through the simplicity, minimalism and realistic approach to this particular play is the ability for the audience to react in a specific way. One could see that there was the ability for the audience to feel included in the settings, both through the comedy in the first act and the tragedy in the second act. The first act also had laughter and a pleasant atmosphere from the audience. When the tragedy occurs during the climax, audience reactions can be heard with an understanding of the relationship between the mother, wife and two brothers. By the end of the last scene, many of the audience members are in tears and are intertwined with the loss that is seen in the final tragedy. This shows that the direction, simplicity and decisions to have little change in scenery and other components worked effectively with establishing the characters and plot in the musical. Conclusion The concepts that are used in “Blood Brothers” through the use of stage direction, production, scenery and outside elements all worked to create a specific atmosphere toward the musical. Focusing on the musical numbers through the play and keeping the rest of the stage direction to a minimum worked effectively in portraying specific ideas by the writer. One was able to easily see the relationship to the brothers that was a part of the play, while having a description of what was occurring and the emotions that related to this. Keeping the production values to a minimum and realistic then provided a sense of completion to the play. Read More