Cosi

Louis Nowra

• Publisher: Currency Press
• Year: 2012
• ISBN:
  9781921428647
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: Drama
• Index: Literature

'Nowra has written a terrific play about theatre, madness, illusion, sanity, life: it's a big, splendidly Australian epic.' - Frank Gauntlett, Telegraph Mirror

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Set in 1971, Così is Louis Nowra's second semi-autobiographical play. Lewis has recently left university and takes up a job in a mental institution directing Mozart's Così Fan Tutte. Lewis, the non-participant, becomes emotionally involved with his actors' lives as his operatic production lurches forward and anti-Vietnam protests take place in the streets outside.

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'Nowra's generous humour offers up a world of the most extraordinary, ordinary people; and a hilarious situation comedy to boot... [but there are] hints of a darkness that lies beyond the light: the real world.' - Angela Bennie, Sydney Morning Herald

ACT ONE

SCENE ONE

A burnt-out theatre. It is day outside but pitch black inside the theatre. A heavy door opens, a chink of daylight enters, as do three people: LEWIS, his girlfriend LUCY and his friend NICK.

LUCY: Where are the lights?

LEWIS: Don’t know.

NICK: Maybe over there.

The door slams shut.

Damn! [Fiddling with the lock] Christ, it’s locked from the inside.

LEWIS: I thought I saw a switch over there.

They fumble in the darkness for a light switch.

NICK: Smells like it hasn’t been used in years.

LUCY: Burnt wood and mould. Are you sure you know what you’re doing?

LEWIS: I need the money, Lucy.

NICK accidentally touches LUCY who cries out in alarm.

NICK: [enjoying this] It’s a ghost.

LUCY: Nick, just find the light!

NICK: All theatres have ghosts.

LUCY: I can’t believe you’re going to do a show here.

NICK: Mad actors are bad enough, but madmen …

LEWIS: You said you were going to help me.

NICK: As long as you do Galileo with me.

LUCY: I wish you boys would learn to drive, I’m late for my tutorial.

There is the sound of breaking glass.

NICK: [nervously] What’s that?

LUCY: Someone’s breaking in.

NICK: Who is it? Who’s there?

ROY: [nervously] Is that you, Justin?

LEWIS: No.

ROY: Who is it? Who’s there? Answer me!

LUCY: [relieved] Found it!

The lights go on. A dismal hall is revealed. A silence as they stare at one another.

ROY: How did you get in?

LEWIS: The door.

ROY: It was locked when I checked it this morning. That’s why I broke in. Didn’t want to be late.

LEWIS: The superintendent gave me the key. Are you the social worker?

ROY: No, I’m a patient.

LUCY: I have to go now. See you at home, Lewis.

NICK: Lucy! Wait! I’m coming with you.

LEWIS: But you were going to help me.

NICK: [taking him aside] I will, but I just remembered I have to meet my thesis supervisor. He’s on my back because I’m spending so much time organising the moratorium.

LUCY: Nick, I don’t have much time.

NICK: Coming! [To LEWIS] Don’t forget the Galileo rehearsals.

He goes after LUCY. LEWIS feels betrayed. He and ROY, shy of one another are silent until ROY decides to break it.

ROY: This is where I belong: in the theatre.

LEWIS nods, not knowing what to say. JUSTIN ANDERSON enters.

JUSTIN: Morning, Roy. [To LEWIS] And what ward are you from?

LEWIS: I’m not from a ward. I’m the director—

JUSTIN: Lewis Riley?

LEWIS: Yes.

ROY: I was expecting someone a bit older.

JUSTIN: Justin Anderson. Everyone calls me Justin. I’m the social worker who initiated this project.

LEWIS: [looking at the t...