Cosi: Music, Madness and Laughter in Chatswood

Epicentre Theatre Company presents the Cosi by Louis Nowra at Chatswood’s Zenith Theatre (NSW) from March 23, 2012.

Cosi was written for the stage in 1992 by Aussie playwright Louis Nowra (Sunrise, Capricornia, The Marvelous Boy, Inside the Island, Radiance, The Precious Woman). His screen adaptation later became a feature film starring Barry Otto, Toni Collette and Ben Mendelsohn.

The action takes place in a mental asylum in 1971.Lewis is a young amateur theatre director and this is his first production: a program for the rehabilitation of patients in an institution. It’s supposed to be a therapeutic theatrical experience the production is soon taken over by one of the patients, Roy, who is determined to do Mozart’s opera, Cosi Fan Tutte!

None of the patients can sing and none of them knows Italia… but is the least of their problems!  The inmates all have a certain endearing innocence about them and Lewis, who is full of revolutionary fervour about the big issues (such as stopping the war in Vietnam), soon learns that he anything is possible and that he can make a difference in people's lives – even if it’s not at all as he originally expected. There are twists and turns, tears and laughter… and one of the great epic stage finales of all time!

This production, directed by Christine Firkin, features NIDA and Actors Centre graduate Aston Campbell as Lewis alongside Matthew Edwards, Shaelee Rooke, Matthew Cook, Jeannie Gee, Darrell Hoffmann, Therese Bean, David Villanti, Ben von Sperl, Darcy Green and Jacqui Wilson.

March 23 – 31, 2012.  Tickets $28 / $20 conc. Bookings on 9975 6780 or online at www.epicentretheatre.org.au
Zenith Theatre, corner Railway and McIntosh Streets, Chatswood.

The theatre is near Chatswood railway station and the Zenith Centre has discounted underground parking (entrance McIntosh Street).

Epicentre Theatre Company has been producing theatre on the Lower North Shore for 35 years, and is one of the Founding Groups of the Zenith Theatre. The Company prides itself on presenting quality theatre - at affordable prices - which is not only relevant but also caters to educational outcomes.

Photographer: Chris Lundie.

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