Synopsis
Set in a mental institution in 1970, COSI is Louis Nowra’s second semi-autobiographical play. Lewis has recently left university and takes up a job directing Mozart’s Cosi Fan Tutte. Lewis the non-participant becomes emotionally involved with his actors’ lives as his operatic production lurches forwardand the anti-Vietnam protests take place in the streets outside.
Characters
Characters Summary:
7 males 20-35 plus
4 females 20-50’s
Characters Description:
CHARACTERS
The roles of Lucy/Julie; Zac/Justin; and Doug/Nick may potentially be double-cast.
Lewis (Male, 20s)
The protagonist of Così, Lewis is a new university graduate who has agreed to direct a play with patients from a mental institution because he needs the money. At first, Lewis shares the same values as his friends Nick and Lucy, that love is unimportant due to the ongoing Vietnam War. During the time he spends with the patients however, Lewis experiences a turning point in his understanding and perception of people. By the end of the play, Lewis learns to appreciate love and friendship over war and politics. Note: There is kissing between Lewis & Julie, and Lewis & Cherry
Roy (Male, 25+)
A highly-strung patient who insists on performing Mozart’s Così Fan Tutte even though none of the other patients can sing or speak Italian. Believing that Lewis is a poor director, Roy takes charge assigning patients to characters in the play. He is quite blunt in expressing his opinions of others. Roy has a huge emotional range in the play.
Lucy (Female, 20s)
Girlfriend and roommate of Lewis. She has an affair with Nick who shares similar beliefs – that the Vietnam War protest is more important than anything else. Lucy cannot understand why Lewis is directing a play about love when thousands are dying in the war.
Julie (Female, 20s)
A patient addicted to illicit drugs. She is Lewis’s love interest in the play and is a catalyst for Lewis and Lucy’s deteriorating relationship. She believes that men have double standards, since females are routinely targeted for their infidelity while men are also unfaithful to their partners. Note: There is a kiss between Lewis & Julie.
Henry (Male 35+)
A shy patient, a damaged soul, who rarely speaks and avoids eye contact with others. A former lawyer, he now suffers from a disability with his left arm. However, it is shown to be a false disability when he switches his ‘bad arm’ from left to right. He is subservient to others, especially Roy. Towards the end of the play however, he overcomes his timidity to defend Lewis. Note: Henry has a bad stutter.
Zac (Male, 25+)
A patient who takes the part of musician for Così Fan Tutte. He prefers to play Wagner over Mozart, which sparks a dispute between himself and Roy. Zac is passionate about music and plays the piano and the piano accordion (it is recommended that the actor can play the piano. Piano accordion would be a bonus).
Doug (Male 20-39)
A patient who was sent to the mental institution as a result of burning his mother’s cats and home. He is a pyromaniac – someone who gains satisfaction from deliberately starting fires. He appears to light fires quite frequently, once in the theatre toilets and once outside the theatre. He also supports free love and is keen on the potential violence that may transpire at the moratorium.
Justin (30+)
A social worker who organised the patients to be part of the theatre project. Patronising towards the patients, they represent society’s view on the mentally ill.
Cherry (Female, 20s-40s)
A patient who has an abusive personality and carries a flick knife with her. She has a violent relationship with Doug, as she is always ordering him to ‘go burn a cat.’ She is overprotective of Lewis, on whom she has a crush. As a form of affection, she is constantly feeding him with food in order to ‘fatten’ him up. Note: There is a kiss between Lewis & Cherry
Ruth (Female, 30s-50s)
A patient suffering from an obsessive disorder. Throughout the play, she focuses on minor issues such as having real or fake coffee on set, and the number of steps she needs to take to reach her position on stage.
Nick (Male, 20s)
An experienced student director, roommate and friend of Lewis. He promises to help Lewis with Così Fan Tutte however, he quickly breaks this vow in order to spend time with Lucy. Lewis later discovers that Lucy and Nick are having an affair. Nick is heavily involved in the moratorium, a protest against the Vietnam War.
Precast Characters:
No precast characters
Audition Venue & Dates
Audition Dates and Times:
6:30pm on:
- Tue 28th Jun 2022
- Thu 30th Jun 2022
Audition Venue Name: Beaumaris Theatre
Audition Venue Address:
82 Wells Road, Beaumaris
Audition Enquiries Contact: www.beaumaristheatre.com.au
Performances
Season Dates: 2 Sep 2022 - 11 Sep 2022
Showtimes:
5:00pm on:
8:00pm on:
- Fri 2nd Sep 2022
- Sat 3rd Sep 2022
- Fri 9th Sep 2022
- Sat 10th Sep 2022
More info
Other Information
Other Information:
Auditionees will be asked to prepare one or two monologues for the character (s) they are auditioning for. Auditions will be ten minute blocks and consist of the performed monologue and a conversation with the director and production team.
Please bring along your CV and headshot.
Callbacks will be on Sunday 3rd July 2-4pm.
Rehearsals will be Tuesday and Thursday evenings from July until production.Sunday afternoons will be added in August.
Due to ongoing Covid complications, potential cast will be asked to keep 15th to 17th September free too in case the season needs to be extended.
