Discuss the character of Willie Mossop in "Hobson's Choice". What advice would you give to an actor playing Willie's role in a stage production of the play?

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Discuss the character of Willie Mossop in

 “Hobson’s Choice”. What advice would you give to an actor playing Willie’s role in a stage production of the play?

        

Harold Brighouse wrote “Hobson’s Choice”. Mr. Brighouse was born in Lancashire 1882.

        Harold Brighouse wrote a lot of plays featuring Lancashire. Harold was a very clever in school but wasn’t interested in going to University. Mr. Brighouse was brought up happily in middle-class family. Mr. Brighouse’s father was called by the name of John Brighouse.

        Mr. Brighouse was a Theatergoer. He went to local theatres. When went on holiday to London he found a whole different world. Mr. Brighouse returned and quitted his job in the office to become a full time play writer.

        Mr. Brighouse and some local people formed a group called Manchester School of Dramatists. Manchester School of Dramatists wrote about ordinary people and their lives. The newly formed group changed the art of plays. During 1800-1900 plays were mainly about the rich and popular. Manchester School of Dramatists changed play writing and involved the poor and ordinary.

        In 1914 the play industry halted because of the outbreak of World War One, which lasted for four years. At the start of World War One Mr. Brighouse was in France. He was forced to leave France and return home. At this point Mr. Brighouse really started to concentrate on writing his plays.

        When Mr. Brighouse started to write his plays with passion and pride he wrote the play “Hobson’s Choice.” The genre of this play was comedy. Hobson’s Choice was eventually shown at the end of World War One.

        The play was written rapidly. Mr. Brighouse changed the course of the final act and set the play back in time to the 1800.

        The phrase “Hobson’s Choice” is well known. To have “Hobson’s Choice” is to have no choice at all. “Hobson’s Choice” comes from the 17th Century Cambridgeshire horse trader choice Hobson. Hobson’s customers in theory had free choice but in practice they bought what Hobson wanted them to buy. As in the play Maggie leaves Hobson a choice but the threat of legal action made Hobson vulnerable and he didn’t have a choice but to let Vickey and Alice of the shelf.  

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        William Mossop a lanky fellow. Aged about 30 years. Willie is not naturally stupid but is “ stunted mentally by a brutalized childhood.” Willie clothes are mentioned as “a poorer edition of Tabby’s.” When Willie comes up the trap door like a rabbit he is praised by Mrs. Hepworth, “these are the best made pair of boots I’ve ever had.” In the film Willie looks up at Mrs. Hepworth and Mr. Hobson as a child looking up at adults.

        The next scene Maggie calls Willie up from the cellar. Willie comes up then hesitates to come close to Maggie ...

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