Lewis and Roy
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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)
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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).
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He allows Roy to dominate proceedings. Why
do you think this is?
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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
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By the end of the play he feels something for
the patients. “I’m not going to let them
down.” (p70)
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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)
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Do you think Lewis has really grown/changed
by the end of the play?
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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).
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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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?