Summary (Blood Brothers)

Below is summary of the play Blood Brothers by Willy Russell.

Blood Brothers, a musical penned by Liverpudlian playwright Willy Russell, follows the intertwined lives of twin siblings, Mickey and Edward, who are separated at birth and raised in disparate urban settings. Set against the backdrop of the 1960s, the narrative unfolds across two acts, punctuated by a melodic score.

Mickey grows up amidst financial struggles, raised by his single mother alongside his seven older siblings, while Edward is nurtured in opulence as the sole child of the affluent Lyons family, residing nearby. Mrs. Lyons persuades Mrs. Johnstone to part with one of her new born twins, setting the stage for the twins' contrasting upbringings. Though Mickey and Edward don't encounter each other until the age of seven, they forge an instant bond upon meeting, becoming inseparable "blood brothers."

Their camaraderie persists into adolescence as they both reside in the countryside, despite their shared affection for Mickey's neighbour, Linda. However, the gaping chasm between their social backgrounds eventually drives a wedge between them, culminating in a series of tragic events leading to their untimely demise.

Key plot Details

Mrs. Johnstone, a struggling single mother burdened with seven children, discovers she's pregnant with twins. Her employer, Mrs. Lyons, manipulates her into relinquishing one of the babies.

Assuming custody of Edward, Mrs. Lyons raises him as her own, deceiving her husband into believing he's their biological child. Mrs. Johnstone returns to work but lavishes attention on Edward, resulting in her dismissal by Mrs. Lyons.

At the age of seven, Mickey and Edward cross paths and form an unbreakable bond, along with Mickey's neighbour, Linda. Their mischievous antics lead to a run-in with the law when they engage in window-breaking escapades.

Fearful of Edward reconnecting with his biological roots, Mrs. Lyons coerces her husband into relocating their family to the countryside. Shortly after, the Johnstone’s (and Linda's family) are relocated by the council.

As teenagers, Mickey and Edward reunite and reignite their friendship. Linda remains a constant presence in their lives as they navigate adolescence, but their paths diverge when Edward pursues higher education.

Marriage to a pregnant Linda marks a turning point for Mickey, who loses his job at the factory and descends into criminal activity with his brother, Sammy, resulting in imprisonment for both.

Struggling with depression, Mickey turns to medication for solace, a habit he continues post-release.

Upon securing a new job, Mickey's world is shattered when he learns of Edward and Linda's burgeoning relationship. Enraged, he retrieves Sammy's gun and confronts Edward at his workplace, the town hall.

Mrs. Johnstone intervenes, revealing the twins' true relationship in a desperate attempt to avert tragedy. Amidst the chaos, the gun discharges accidentally, claiming Edward's life. In the ensuing chaos, Mickey is fatally shot by the police, leaving the twins to rest side by side in death.