eBook - ePub
Cosi
About this book
'Nowra has written a terrific play about theatre, madness, illusion, sanity, life: it's a big, splendidly Australian epic.' - Frank Gauntlett, Telegraph MirrorSet in 1971, Cosi 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 Cosi 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.'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
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Please note we cannot support devices running on iOS 13 and Android 7 or earlier. Learn more about using the app.
Yes, you can access Cosi by Louis Nowra in PDF and/or ePUB format, as well as other popular books in Littérature & Théâtre. We have over one million books available in our catalogue for you to explore.
Information
Topic
LittératureSubtopic
Théâtre
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...
Table of contents
- Cover
- Playwright’s Biography
- Frankenstein’s Mozart: the Making of Così
- Trial by Madmen
- Dedication
- First Production
- Characters and Setting
- Così
- Copyright Details