He treats the characters as players of his game, manipulating their lives and playing off their superstitious beliefs. The narrator is always visible on stage, acting as a Mephistophelean puppeteer of sorts who manipulates the lives and families of Mrs. Johnstone and Mrs. Lyons. Blood Brothers also explores class differences and the gap between classes through the way both the sons and mothers choose to live their lives. Mrs. Johnstone and Mrs. Lyons are in two very different classes, yet they are unable to avoid each other because of the connection their sons share. The differences in lifestyle, values, and morals of the two families are stark yet subtly done. The most prevalent theme is within the constant reference to Marilyn Monroe. In the opening song "Marilyn Monroe", Mrs. Johnstone tells of her carefree youth, comparing every aspect of her life to that of the blond bombshell. The song is reprised several times, and though the reference becomes a bit tiresome, its relevance is strong. Although beautiful and successful, Marilyn Monroe led a complex life and in many ways brought on her own destruction. Her memory is framed by her bitter end just as the story of the Johnstone twins is framed by the image of the two brothers lying dead on the floor. Seemingly every major player in
He treats the characters as players of his game, manipulating their lives and playing off their superstitious beliefs. The narrator is always visible on stage, acting as a Mephistophelean puppeteer of sorts who manipulates the lives and families of Mrs. Johnstone and Mrs. Lyons. Blood Brothers also explores class differences and the gap between classes through the way both the sons and mothers choose to live their lives. Mrs. Johnstone and Mrs. Lyons are in two very different classes, yet they are unable to avoid each other because of the connection their sons share. The differences in lifestyle, values, and morals of the two families are stark yet subtly done. The most prevalent theme is within the constant reference to Marilyn Monroe. In the opening song "Marilyn Monroe", Mrs. Johnstone tells of her carefree youth, comparing every aspect of her life to that of the blond bombshell. The song is reprised several times, and though the reference becomes a bit tiresome, its relevance is strong. Although beautiful and successful, Marilyn Monroe led a complex life and in many ways brought on her own destruction. Her memory is framed by her bitter end just as the story of the Johnstone twins is framed by the image of the two brothers lying dead on the floor. Seemingly every major player in