1. Lewis and Roy

3.  Central character  Straight out of university  Lives with his girlfriend Lucy  Nervous and passive at the start of the play, becomes more confident as the play goes on.  “This an unusual position for me....I directed some plays at University....and well...this is my first year out –” (p7)

4.  When Lewis comes to the play initially he displays a lack of confidence. He is reluctant and hesitant when giving instructions to the patients.  ‘don’t know’ (p1)  Stage directions – apprehension, uncomfortably (p4), uncertainly (p5), hesitantly (p7).  He allows Roy to dominate proceedings. Why do you think this is?

5.  As Lewis gets to know the patients he starts to see them differently. At the start of the play this is just a job – “I need the money Lucy.” p1  By the end of the play he feels something for the patients. “I’m not going to let them down.” (p70)

6.  In black comedies characters traditionally do not change. However.........  Lewis’ views change, as well as his confidence  Patients – Tries to help Ruth, Roy, even lies for them to protect them. Supports Henry.  Moratorium – “I’m not going to let them down.” (p70)  Love – “Without live the world wouldn’t mean much.” (p70)

7.  Do you think Lewis has really grown/changed by the end of the play?

8.  Roy’s character is punctuated by wild mood swings. He can go from enthusiastic: - “Not in the old days. Enthusiasm, natural talent.” to deeply depressed and insecure: - p75 “can’t go on and make a fool of myself>.” We can view this as bipolar depression but Roy is never labelled (as with the other characters).

9.  Roy wants his vision of Cosi Fan Tutte to come alive and is very disappointed when his visions don’t appear in reality. He has created a fantasy of his past and has trouble dealing with the realities that confront him “I aim for the Stars Jerry, is that such a bad thing?” p15 “I had a dream Jerry,” p63

10.  Fantasy Cosi Fan Tutte Can be mounted as a full scale opera The importance of Cosi Fan Tutte, p13 Idealised Childhood p63 Has friends in the ward Thinks Ruth can sing Congratulations from D ward  Reality  They are patients in an Asylum, not professional actors The cast members are actors and cannot sing opera! It is in Italian Roy grew up in orphanages p76

11.  Is excited when Lewis first arrives. (p3) “We’ll be Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin.”  “Couldn’t direct a poofter.” – p10  “Couldn’t direct traffic” – p28  We’ll get a new director,” p22  “what you’ve done up till now,” p40  “stag night” p36

12.  There is a sense of desperation to Roy, he clings to anything, Nick (p43-45)  He needs to see his vision come alive and becomes morose when things don’t conform to his expectations.  On the eve of the production Roy has doubts, he wants it to be perfect but needs to be reassured.  Roy is elated at the successful performance.

13.  Explain the difference between Roy’s Fantasies and the realities.  How deeply do you think Roy believes his own fantasies? Why do you think he behaves in this way?