Blood brothers-Context

1. No qualifications
   1. Went back to uni - became teacher

1. enjoyed popular musics eg the beatles

1. 2 years after Thatcher became PM

   Annotations:

   • Conservative
   1. Believed Britains Manufacturing industry= uncompetitive
      1. Weak employers
      2. Overly strong trades union
         1. Reduced their power
            1. privatised publicly owned companies
            2. Closed uncompetitive mines

1. Economic downturn
   1. Unemployment soared
   2. Famous docks ran down
      1. Poverty
   3. Crime levels increased
   4. Housing allowed to deteriorate
   5. illegal drugs use increased
      1. Mickeys situation

Annotations:

• One of Thatcher's main political beliefs

1. In BB this is contradicted

   Annotations:

   • Russell shows how it is upbringing and class that is important
2. Despite Mickeys hard work/good attitude has nothing

   Annotations:

   • (basis of the trajedy)

1. Extremely famous/idea woman etc
   1. Reality different-on anti depressants

      Annotations:

      • died of overdose
2. Referred to throughout the play

   Annotations:

   • different points in her life and her public image
   1. Mrs J loves her public image
   2. Mickey hooked on anti depressants like her

1. 1950's pop flourished
   1. Even poor people had money for it

      Annotations:

      • e.g. Mikey
2. Escapism
   1. Mrs J with dancing
   2. The boys with the cowboy games

      Annotations:

      • influenced by films
   3. Mr J likes Mrs J for Marilyn looks