COSI

Act I scene i

1. We are immediately aware of the setting.
• How is it described?
• What is the immediate impact on the audience?
• What comment do you think Nowra is making on society’s treatment of mental illness by setting the play in such a depressing place?

2. What are Lucy and Nick’s attitudes to what Lewis is doing at the asylum theatre? How do their comments and actions reveal this?

3. What is Lewis’ initial justification for producing the play? Why do you think he makes this explicit?

5. “Love is not so important nowadays.” (p10) Explain what Lewis means here. Note the irony in Roy’s reaction to this.

6. Nowra successfully provides a clear image of the setting and atmosphere in this opening scene. What is the atmosphere that is created? How has this been achieved? Note, particularly how Lewis fits in and the control, or lack of, that he shows.

We have now been introduced to all of the characters.

ACTIVITY
In table form briefly note your first impressions of each character. Are they immediately likeable? Leave space (about 1/2 page for each character) to add your observations as you progress through the play.

Take close note of how Justin, the social worker, describes the patients to Lewis, the advice he gives and Lewis’ reaction (pp4-7).
• List the quotes that refer to the patients.
• In your own words describe Justin’s view of the patients?
• At this early stage, what are Lewis’ feelings towards them?

Act I scene ii

1. After the many problems of putting on an opera are confronted and the patients go out for lunch, Lewis says to himself, “Why can’t I ever say no? Just leave. They’re mad. It’s madness...”.

What does this show us about his character? (note the stage direction)

2. Lewis’ reactions to Nick on the radio show us what about him? What differences between these two are already evident. How do we as the audience come to this understanding?

3. Doug says, “Women like to pretend they don’t play around but they’re just more secretive about it.” (p18) What does this imply about Doug’s attitude to women? Do you think Lewis would agree with him? Do you agree with it?

4. Doug goes on to warn Lewis about marriage using a adage passed on by his father, “You can always find loneliness in a marriage, but never solitude.” What does this mean? What light does it throw on Doug’s character and how we view him?

5. Read Doug’s story (p19-20). How does this affect Lewis’ and our own perception of the patients and their conditions?

6. What is the effect of Cherry’s duck shooting story straight (p21) after Doug’s? Does Lewis initially believe the story? What does this tell us about the general population’s understanding of people with a mental illness?

ACTIVITY

Add to your character sheets any further information you gained from this scene. Include important quotes where appropriate.

Act I scene iii

1. What impression of Justin is created through his involvement in this scene?
• “The experiment is over” (p22)
• “Now the position of a social worker in an asylum can be precarious. This does not look good for me or for you, does it?” (p23)
• “Sorry is such an easy word to say.” (p23)
• “Straight out of university...” (p24)

What are your feelings towards him? Note how Nowra has achieved this?

2. When Cherry announces, “It was me! It was me!” (p23), she takes the blame for the fire from Doug. Why does she do this? What implications does this episode have for the success of the endeavour?

3. Lewis joins the conspiracy by confirming Cherry’s story. How is this significant? How has Nowra positioned the audience here? What would they feel about this episode?

4. The patients create many problems for Lewis in this scene, problems that add to our perception of mental illness. As soon as he overcomes the conflict with Zac, another one, created by Ruth this time, develops. Ruth clearly has problems distinguishing between reality and illusion. How is this theme developed in this scene? What do these conflicts add to the audience’s picture of mental illness?

5. Cherry comments to Julie that Roy is performing a “Do it yourself lobotomy” (p27) Explain the significance of this comment? Consider how differently the patients and the audience might have received this if it had been spoken by Nick, for example?

6. Lewis recounts his experience with his ‘mad’ grandmother. How might his experience have influenced his decision to take this job?

ACTIVITY
What does the conversation between Lewis and Julie, and then Cherry, reveal about their views on love? Which views do you agree with? Explain in a short paragraph.

Act I scene iv

1. Comment on how Julie describes her addiction. She distinguishes what drugs mean to the different characters. How does she differ from Doug and Zac?

2. How does Nick display a lack of insensitivity towards to patients? What does this imply about his character?

3. Henry’s outburst is rather a shock. Why? Why does he call Nick and Lewis “traitors”?

ACTIVITY
Compare Nick and Lewis’s response to Henry’s outburst. What does this illustrate about their characters? Support with reference from the text.