Temporal setting: 1971
Location notes:
Cosi is set in a mental institution near the city of Melbourne. The Melbourne location can be deduced from the dialogue, as the play's protagonist, Lewis, says that he lives in Northcote.
The action of the play takes place in and around an abandoned, burnt out theatre on the grounds of the institution. The theatre operates as an 'other' space, not quite of the institution and yet not quite of the real world.
While the text never specifies a location for the institution, playwright Louis Nowra reflects (in an author's note in the 1994 publication) on his experiences visiting his grandmothers, and then later working, at the Mont Park Institution in Melbourne. Coordinates have been given for the location where Mont Park used to operate.
Mont Park was opened in 1912 and operated in different capacities until the late 1990's. The area is now part of the La Trobe University grounds. For more information on Mont Park, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mont_Park_Asylum
Quotes
A burnt out theatre. It is day outside but pitch black inside the theatre. A heavy door opens, a chink of daylight enters, as do three people; LEWIS, his girlfriend LUCY, and his friend NICK.
LUCY: Where are the lights?
LEWIS: Don't know.
NICK: Maybe over there.
The door slams shut.
Damn! [fiddling with the lock] Christ, it's locked from the outside!
They fumble in the dark for a light switch.
NICK: Smells like it hasn't been used in years.
LUCY: Burnt wood and mould. Are you sure you know what you're doing?
LEWIS: I need the money.
(p. Scene 1, page 5)
JUSTIN: [To LEWIS] The government bought the land next to the asylum last year and this theatre was on it. Someone set fire to it, but it's safe. A bit grungy, as we say, but safe. There's some lights up there - what do you call them in the theatre?
LEWIS shakes his head.
Anyway, we'll get some of the staff to take a look at the wiring.
(p. Act 1, page 8)
