Cosi
Review by Shanna Provost
First produced in 1992, Louis Nowra’s iconic Australian play Cosi is now a standard text within the education curriculum. Its exploration into the humanness of insanity provides rich fodder for drama students.
The film version in 1996 became the springboard for actors Toni Collette, Rachel Griffiths, David Wenham and Ben Mendelsohn. And who could ever forget Barry Otto’s superb interpretation of the over-ambitious Roy, whose dream is to mount the opera Cosi fan tutti at the Melbourne mental institution that is his home.
Reported to be semi-autobiographical in nature, Nowra’s Cosi deals with issues of obsessions, disillusionment and self-identity, struggle and triumph, and mental illness–although Nowra is reported to have said, “The real madness and angst only occurred when I worked with professional actors”.
One can’t help thinking what fun Director Jim McMullen might have had in coaching such a strong local cast through the jungle of the human mind to find their particular characters.
Canberra Rep’s production of Cosi is slick.
Of course the script stands on its own merits, with Nowra’s barrage of memorable one-liners continually upping the ante.
Authentic performances come from Soren Jensen as the bemused Lewis and Georgia Pike as the wily drug addict Julie. Put it down to opening night jitters, but when all the actors relax more into their characters and drop the tendency to overact a little the production will run even smoother.
Ian Croker obviously has such fun with his rambunctious Roy, and the audience is right there with him. The sleeper in this production, however, is Tony Falla as the stuttering Henry—his character’s growth is effectively subtle yet consistent and tangible.
Michael Sparks designed a set that doesn’t impose upon the stage business, and has devised a simple but highly effective transformation from the burnt out theatre harbouring the complex characters into the sharp white façade that literally unfolds as the characters find their centre through their involvement in the play within the play.
McMullen’s extensive directing experience is stamped all over this production, and all in all it is a delightful exposition that won’t disappoint.
Theatre 3, Ellery Crescent, ACTON 21 Nov – 13 December Thurs-Sat at 8pm
Matinees 29 Nov, 6 & 13 December at 2pm Twilight Sundays 30 Nov & 7 Dec at 5pm
Tickets: $33/$27 Conc. Matinee/Twilight $25 Bookings: 6257 1950 www.canberrarep.org.au
