Responding to a stimulusHow to use script as stimulus
There are many ways of finding ideas for creating drama. You can use scripts, themes and characters from exisiting plays or use other stimuli such as music, poetry and artefacts.
Read this extract from Blood Brothers. What do you think could lead to further ideas for development?
Eddie and Mickey are twins. Their mother gave Eddie away to a rich woman when he was born as she could not afford to raise two more children. She soon changed her mind and wanted Eddie back, but had sworn an oath on the Bible to hand him over and keep their secret forever. At the age of seven the boys meet. Their backgrounds are very different but they are instantly drawn to one another.
Blood Brothers
by Willy Russell
Bored and petulant, MICKEY sits and shoots an imaginary Sammy.
EDWARD, also aged ‘seven’ appears. He is bright and forthcoming.
MICKEY
‘Gis a sweet.
EDWARD
All right. (He offers a bag from his pocket.)
MICKEY (shocked)
What?
EDWARD
Here.
MICKEY (trying to work out the catch. Suspiciously taking one)
Can I have another one. For our Sammy?
EDWARD
Yes, of course. Take as many as you want.
MICKEY (taking a handful)
Are you soft?
EDWARD
I don’t think so.
MICKEY
Round here if y’ask for a sweet, y’have to ask about twenty million times. An’ y’ know what?
EDWARD (sitting beside MICKEY)
What?
MICKEY
They still don’t bleedin’ give y’one. Sometimes our Sammy does but y’have to be dead careful if our Sammy gives y’ a sweet.
EDWARD
Why?
MICKEY
Cos if our Sammy gives y’a sweet he’s usually weed on it first.
