Act 1 scene 1 is the introductory stage to Russell's characters. In the first five minutes of this opening, we get to know Frank quite well. We learn that Frank is a university lecturer who appears to have grown tired of his job and the same old people. Russell uses many dramatic devices. To begin with, Russell does not tell straight away the reason why Frank, the university lecturer, is “hurriedly” replacing each book on the bookshelf; instead, he creates an element of suspense, keeping interest in the audience’s eyes. We see Frank searching the rows and rows of literature in his office for an author beginning with "E"; he then seems to decide he wants Dickens. Once he finds his collection of Dickens, he pulls them out, to reveal a bottle of Whisky. This demonstrates that Frank feels the need to hide the evidence. Already, in these simple, very few lines of stage direction, the scene has been highly effective in giving us a small insight into the character of Frank. We learn now that Frank also has a drinking problem. The phone then rings, just as Frank is about to take a gulp of his Whisky, and it turns out to be Julia, Frank's girlfriend which we later discover. They have a conversation that increases in venom until there's a knock at Frank's door. Russell uses the telephone call with Frank’s girlfriend to give the audience information about Frank. Whoever is on the other side of the door is having trouble making their way inside, and so Frank begins to get irritated with their persistent knocking after he has already said, "Come in.." a few times. Russell uses the door metaphorically to explain how hard and painful it is for Rita to get an education now, and also, all the decisions she is going to take, such as leaving Denny. Eventually Frank hangs up the phone as Rita bursts into the room. We also learn a lot from the room; the fact that the room is full books shows all the knowledge that Rita is seeking to study but also how difficult this task will be for her. Rita’s behaviour and language also stuns Frank, until they get talking and realize they get on well.
Russell portrays a slightly negative image of Frank in the opening scene although makes the audience recognise him as one of the most important characters in the play. On the other hand, Frank does show some humour whilst speaking on the telephone to Julia: “you just pop off and put your head in the oven,” this makes the opening more humorous and makes the audience have less of a negative image of Frank. From the same conversation we also find out that Frank’s an alcoholic taking the job on only for the payment of his drinks. “Oh God, why did I take this on? Yes I suppose I did take it on to pay for the drink…” This shows no determination in his life on behalf of his profession, as he doesn’t do his job for the love of teaching others; it’s simply for his drinks. It shows that Frank can be selfish and cares more for himself than others around him, even though his job of teaching others his knowledge is much more of a giving career. Frank’s office is old; he has been there for a very long time as he’s looked at the same painting on the wall for “10 years”. Things don’t seem to change much for him. The door is broken, stopping him from changing and walking through it. It is broken therefore keeping him in his study and stopping him from breaking free of bad habits like alcoholism and changing his life around. Despite the first scene being only one of the 15 throughout the play, Russell provides us with far more clues to Frank’s character than just his superficial habits. It reveals an abundance of detail about the lack of caring for things and his poor sense of determination in life.
