Our day out. The cliff scene (scene 35) is significant, as it is the turning point in Briggs personality. The entire atmosphere changes dramatically.

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Our Day Out

It’s the mid 1970’s: Britain is in economic recession, working practices are changing, many businesses are closing and numerous big employers are forced to shut down- including Liverpool’s main industry- the docks…

Against this background of huge unemployment Willy Russell chronicles a school outing to Conwy castle with the school “progress class”. The play is set many years ago; so subsequently not a lot of technology was around, and to teach was a difficult prospect. The play in my opinion is very realistic; due to the fact that most of Russell’s plays and characters are based on situations which are drawn from real life experiences (mainly his). Although the stories are generally humorous, there is usually a hidden agenda as the characters tend to crave freedom from a deprived background.

The play is partly a celebration for the life of teenagers in the 70’s. Nevertheless by the end it becomes darker and unexpected. These no-hopers from the backstreets of Liverpool are reminded of their depressing current situation and even bleaker future, leading to the stark realisation that a day out is about as much as they can expect.  

The cliff scene (scene 35) is significant, as it is the turning point in Brigg’s personality.  The entire atmosphere changes dramatically. The scene is critical in demonstrating how the characters react under pressure. While Mrs Kay becomes anxious, Briggs calmly strolls around, unwillingly searching for Carol, while in a foul mood. However, Brigg’s personality changes quite a few times throughout the scene: at first he is an “arrogant get” as usual, the next minute he is begging Carol and finally he is showing his kind, warm-hearted side (which we would have never expected).

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At the start of scene 35, the atmosphere is very calm and peaceful in contrast to scene 34 where Mrs Kay was frantically searching. Russell starts off describing Carol standing alone. He describes the moment as a “fleeting moment of tranquillity”. Here he tells us she is at peace; the opposite of how she normally feels. The word “tranquillity” means: still, silent and it adds to the serenity of the setting. Russell hints to the audience that something unexpected is going to happen. He does this when he describes the moment as “fleeting” which shows that it was a ...

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