“The time is 1971. The play is set in a Melbourne mental institution” the physical setting of the play is “a burnt out theatre”. The burnt out theatre is significant because it resembles what the communities’ feelings and attitudes are towards the mentally ill, worthless, waste of space, nothing can be done to fix it. There is no benefit or advantage in allowing the patient’s access to better facilities to put on a performance as expectations are low. This biased view was widely accepted as the norm.
“Heavy door” symbolises a barrier to hide and keep the ill locked away, to stop people empathising with the mentally ill.it is a physical and mental barrier. “Chink of light” symbolises the optimism and hope Lewis brings.
Nick and Lucy do not change throughout the play they keep their biased views, and ideas towards the mentally ill calling them “madmen”
At the beginning Lewis has the same views towards the mentally ill, and is only doing the play for the money. But as the play continues he then grows to change his thoughts and believes in their ability to achieve something worthwhile. He learns that labelling people in the way that nick and Lucy do only stigmatises and marginalises them further.
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