Cosi

Louis Nowra’s play is based on his own real life experiences. He worked in a mental health hospital, helping the patients by putting on a musical show, and found that this benefitted both them and himself. Thus, Cosi, likewise concentrates on the inexperienced Lewis, who learns so much about himself as he works with people with a wide range of conditions. The period is early 1970 when the Vietnam War was still ongoing. The residents cover the full range including a manic depressive, a food (and Lewis) obsessive, one with compulsive disorder, a pyromaniac, a drug addict – and so it goes on. They decide to perform a musical, which Lewis stages with them in very basic conditions. They choose Mozart’s Cosi fan tutte - what a choice - leading to chaos and much humour.

The joint directors have generated an interesting, often humour filled production. Of a consistently strong cast, a couple of performers really stood out. In the key role of Lewis, Jackson Paul gave clarity while showing the subtle development of the character. Equally attention absorbing was the over-the-top portrayal of pyromaniac Doug by Emile Regano. In the play, Roy is the manic–depressive with the driving passion for the theatre, and Greg Scurr was a good driving force. There was not a weak performer as the play flowed with very good clarity and, for the most part, movement. There were times when there were static lines, while the characters’ positive changes could have been highlighted a little more.

It is always great to go to the theatre to be amused at times while being mentally challenged as well. That was the case with Cosi at the Arts. This production should be on your list of must see plays. Well done.

William Davies

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