Although the language used to describe the play is limited it sheds just enough information to make the play seem interesting without giving away the whole concept of the play. The way that the setting is described using simplicity makes the plays seem simple yet interesting. It’s not an opening that is used to build up the play but an opening to give the viewer an insight as to what the play is about. In the opening it in a few words it explains that Mick is alone, ‘ Mick is alone in the room’ although it states where Mick is it doesn’t really explain who he is or what he is doing in the room so it is left open to interpretation. This could also make Mick a very secretive mysterious character.
As the play begins the language used between Aston and Davies is very limited they don’t seem to have much speech and when they do talk it is very effortless. ‘Sit down’ ‘thanks’ this is just simple as though they can’t really be bothered to talk to one another. From the type of speech you could work out that both Aston and Davies don’t really know each other very well and that this could be the reason for their lack of communication. The way in which Davies talks is as though he is nervous because he tends to repeat himself quite often ‘… haven’t had a good sit down…had a proper sit down.’ Also it could become clear to the audience that Aston and Davies do not really know each other ‘ That’s kind of you mister’. However although he calls Aston sir it could be a sign of respect but yet again it is left to the audience to interpret it for themselves.
From the onset the way Aston is brought across to the audience is as a very friendly man ‘would-would you like to sleep here?’ this shows that Aston is willing to let people stay in his house although he may not necessarily know them very well, also this could give the impression that Aston is quite bizarre in a way that he allows strangers to stay in his house.
As for Davies he comes across as being the talkative type as he asks many questions ‘What about downstairs?’ ’This your house, is it?’ Davies is presented to the audience as a man who seems to have a negative attitude towards everything ‘All the Blacks had it, Blacks, Greeks, Poles, the lot of them’ this could also show that Davies is racist towards others. Davies is not afraid to speak his mind, however he doesn’t really think about what he is saying he just comes out with it ‘Them bastards…’ when he talks he doesn’t seem to care about what others may think about him. Whereas Aston seems as though he gives himself to himself.
Although the opening does not let on what the play is about we as an audience learn quite a lot about the two characters. This opening is a perfect opening in may ways because it just sheds enough light about the play yet does not totally give the concept away, plus we learn quite a lot from the description about the characters.
