Cosi Has Got so Much Swag Omg
Act 1 Scene 3 1. The cast lies to Justin about the fire in the toilets because they are committed to continuing the opera and knows that Justin will disband the project if they don’t convince him that it is Cherry, not Doug, who has started the fire. This is significant because Lewis has been given the perfect opportunity to escape the asylum; his choice to continue with the play illustrates the growing commitment, friendship and trust between Lewis and the patients and indicates that the group will work together to achieve success.
2. Do not complete.
3. The play articulates Nowra’s frustration with political correctness. This scene contains many examples of the characters knowingly making fun of their own well-being and the reality of being in a mental institution. The patients use humour as a coping mechanism to deal with the harsh reality of institutionalisation. In turn, this makes a difficult topic more palatable for the audience. Nowra encourages the responder to reflect on their own view on mental illness and suggests that often these views are based on negative stereotypes and assumptions. In introducing each patient as an individual and likeable character suffering from distinct problems, the audience is positioned to sympathise with the patients, to see our own weakness reflected in them and recognise our common humanity. Nowra uses the character of Lewis as a vehicle to reflect his own experience of people suffering from mental illness and the role that it played in shaping his perception of himself and the world. Lewis states, “I liked my grandmother, I knew she had gone mad, but she was still my grandmother”. This autobiographical feature reinforces the humanity of the mentally ill and the composer’s determination to move beyond stereotypes, to recognise the innate dignity of all human beings.
Nowra draws inspiration from the theatre of the absurd as is evidenced in the physical humour created through slapstick and farce.
2. Do not complete.
3. The play articulates Nowra’s frustration with political correctness. This scene contains many examples of the characters knowingly making fun of their own well-being and the reality of being in a mental institution. The patients use humour as a coping mechanism to deal with the harsh reality of institutionalisation. In turn, this makes a difficult topic more palatable for the audience. Nowra encourages the responder to reflect on their own view on mental illness and suggests that often these views are based on negative stereotypes and assumptions. In introducing each patient as an individual and likeable character suffering from distinct problems, the audience is positioned to sympathise with the patients, to see our own weakness reflected in them and recognise our common humanity. Nowra uses the character of Lewis as a vehicle to reflect his own experience of people suffering from mental illness and the role that it played in shaping his perception of himself and the world. Lewis states, “I liked my grandmother, I knew she had gone mad, but she was still my grandmother”. This autobiographical feature reinforces the humanity of the mentally ill and the composer’s determination to move beyond stereotypes, to recognise the innate dignity of all human beings.
Nowra draws inspiration from the theatre of the absurd as is evidenced in the physical humour created through slapstick and farce.