Madness, Music and the Theatre…

James Belfrage and John Edwards (playing Lewis and Roy, respectively) chat,  ahead of the opening night of COSI at Lane Cove Theatre Company.

James: What has been a highlight so far during the rehearsal period?

John: Rehearsing with this cast has been a wonderfully collaborative experience. Everyone's had a chance to drop their penny in where their character is going, and it's been fun to see these ideas grow into action. Being given licence to go wild on the work of Mozart sticks in mind too, but I won't go too deeply into that. It has to be seen to be believed.

James: What must it be like for Lewis to find himself amongst a bunch of mad people?

John: Quite bewildering at times! A first directing job would be nerve-wracking enough. But, between constant interruptions and undermining, arson attempts, and bouts of force feeding, Lewis has quite the challenge on his hands.

James: What do you enjoy about Lewis’ character?

John: It has to be the journey he takes in Cosi. His first job upon leaving university, he's dropped from the academic, structured world he's accustomed to, and left in the dark (figuratively and literally) and is faced with an overwhelming, sometimes scary, menagerie of personalities. But in order to pull this tall task off, he has to learn to empathize with these different people, and challenge his own views. Get his feet wet in this new world.

James: What kind of experience is this going to be for the audience?

John: Cosi is sure to be laugh a minute material, but I think it will be a heart-warming experience overall as well. There are certainly differences in how we treat people who suffer from mental illness now and how we did in the 1970's, but the play is ultimately sympathetic in their portrayals. It should be an event that provokes both the funny bone and the tear ducts.

James: How are your nerves bearing up?

John: I'm gradually coming to grips with opening night encroaching, or starting to! I'm mainly itching to get this show in front of a live audience.

James: Other than Lewis which is your favourite character?

John: Limiting me to a singular answer - cruel stuff. The play is packed with vivid characters; the exuberant Roy and the extremely particular Ruth come to mind. But I have to go with Doug. It was through his iconic monologue that I discovered Cosi.

Now to you my friend: What's it like for Roy having a wet-behind-the-ears graduate as a director?

James: There just isn't the room for the two of us young Jerry - make way for Roy!  This is my project, my dream and you couldn't direct traffic down a one way street!

John: Same question for you, what do you enjoy about playing Roy?

John: Roy is a very exciting character to play; always speaking his mind gets him into trouble and alienates him from others but makes for a juicy few situations with the other colourful characters he crosses.  But Roy has moments of real depth and I have enjoyed delving deeper into his personality.  I’m expecting Roy to get many laughs.

John: What was challenging about bringing this script to life?

James: I think finding the right moments in the different scenes for the highs and lows that come with Roy's character.  When to explode and when to go quiet! 

John: What in particular drew you to getting involved in Cosi?

James: I have always heard great things about the play and so when I heard that Debbie Smith was directing I knew this was the golden opportunity

John:  What kind of person is going to love this show?

James: I think Cosi appeals to the regular theatre goer as well as the first timer, who I think will be surprised how much fun the theatre can be.  Young and old will adore the show.

John: Finally, without giving anything away, do you have a favourite line?

James: Favourite line is hard to pick as every page has real gems - as a taster how about "look on the bright side Jerry, for killing an actor he'd get life, for killing a director he'd get eternal gratitude".  Who thinks up these lines?!  Then a favourite moment when Roy gets to conduct his beloved Cosi Fan Tutte - an emotional moment!

Lane Cove Theatre Company’s production of COSI by Louis Nowra opens on Thursday 6 April 2017 at the O’Kelly Drama Theatre, St Ignatius College, Riverview. Tickets $28/$23 conc.
Visit www.lanecovetheatrecompany.comor book direct at www.trybooking.com/OWCV

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