Lewis Has Changed

Lucy says to Lewis, “Working with these people has changed you”.

Has Lewis really changed by the end of the play?

“All is connected… no one thing can change by itself” by Paul Hawken speaks the truth when approaching Louis Nowra’s play Cosi. The Lewis that the audience encounter at the start of the play is very different to the Lewis at the end and Lucy is certainly correct in saying that “Working with these people has changed you”. Set in the 1970’s a time when wars were common and the idea of love and fidelity were scorned upon, Nowra attempts to use his protagonist Lewis as a vehicle of hope and self-discovery. Lewis is exposed to many challenges like directing the mental patients in an opera, however this can be seen as a catalyst for the transformations he undergoes at a personal level. His experiences inside the asylum allow him to grow and question his world and political views. Lewis is definitely a character that transforms for the better of society, it’s people and most importantly himself.

In the opening scenes of the play the audience encounter a shy, timid and insecure Lewis who is greatly influenced by his friends. Lewis’ motivation at this point of the play is clear when he says “I need the money Lucy”, which shows that he has no desire to actually help the people inside the asylum at this stage. Lewis’ lack of authority allows Roy to dismiss his original idea of doing a play about how “a man sacrifices himself for the good of his mates” and pushes him to do Cosi Fan Tutte. Lewis becomes frustrated as things weren’t going quite as planned and says to himself “why can’t I just say know?” However as the play further unfolds the audience witness Lewis connecting with the patients at a personal level. He is able to help out Roy overcome his stage fright when he comforts him “If they didn’t stare I’d be worried”. The darkness at the end of the play signify the transformations that Lewis has undergone from an unmotivated and uninterested individual...