The Rise and Fall Little Voice is, in many respects, a play that has been ‘la bien faite’. This structure consists of four points: an introduction; a complexification; and a final climax. The exposition is the first scene in which the audience learns about the characters and the main themes of the play. The title of the play suggests Little Voice’s tragic downfall, but Mari’s comment that she “rarely speaks” indicates that she lacks Greek Hubris. Cartwright also uses Realism by using colloquial language, like ‘damn smellin’, to emphasize the ordinary life of Little Voice before her brief fame.
The play starts in complete darkness, which generally represents a evasion of reality and truth. Little Voice might cause “blackouts” to escape Mari’s reality in which her records are deemed ‘bloody sh*t’, and live a world of music. Little Voice says ‘not once again’ after the fuse blows when she hears her record playing loudly. The unstable fuse, however, could represent the ‘lower class life’ and poor setting of this play. Cartwright was a member of the British ‘new-writing’ theatre genre, which used dramatic structure to provoke and confront the Thatcherism social policies. Cartwright’s decision to open in total darkness would have kept the audience on edge and in contrast with the traditional British opening, which saw the curtain rise with action and light. Joseph Conrad explains in The Heart of Darkness that darkness is the manifestation of evil in humans. Cartwright could have opened the play by saying “darkness” to suggest that it is a didactic play and the focus of the play will be morality.
Mari’s habitual drunkenness could also be a symbol of Mari’s irresponsibility. Little Voice, who can identify her as ‘drunk,’ is aware that Mari has been drinking. Mari, when drunk,’screams’ at Little Voice and tells her to do the exact same thing. So, her dominance proves she is a mother, even though her demands are immature. Cartwright, in addition, uses violent words to describe Mari, including’smashing. Mari and Little Voice both have a ambivalent attitude towards screaming. This highlights their differing personalities, and Mari’s tendency to undermine Little Voice. Mari’s dominance can be best expressed by ‘Shut That Up! Stop! Stop it! Little Voice obeys by ‘running upstairs quickly’. A circular structure in the scene, beginning with ‘darkness and ending with a blackout’, symbolises Little Voice and her life’s repetition. Little Voice, who is responsible for caring for her mom, receives detailed stage directions. “She rolls Mari up on the sofa and wraps Mari’s jacket around her. She removes Mari’s shoe carefully. Covers Mari with pillows. This is an example of a routine.
Music is the escapism of Little Voice throughout The Rise and Fall. Little Voice reveals herself to be a powerful singer by listening records of music divas such as Shirley Bassey Judy Garland Marilyn Monroe Edith Piaf Gracie Fields. Shirley Bassey’s and Judy Garland’s records are played in the introduction, as a prelude to the other singers that will be featured later on. Mari, who dislikes Little Voice, hates the record player, which makes her feel’sick all over the home’. The music of Little Voice is not just an escape for her, but it also represents their mother and daughter conflict. Cartright chose a Judy Garland song, “Come Rain or Come Shine”, to show that Little Voice would always take care of her mother. Little Voice’stumbles’ with Mari and they ‘falls together’ on stage, which highlights their unity and verifies this reference. The moment that Mari mumbles and moans is also a key one. LV Stops, Turns Back’ could certainly be a tableau vivant, which would emphasize Little Voice’s love for Mother, despite her differences.
Cartwright establishes a volatile mother-daughter bond between Little Voice, Mari and the collective pronoun “they” creates the hope of a future closer relationship. Little Voice appears timid and reserved. However, her nature is rebellious, as she shows when she puts on a new Shirley Bassey song after taking off her old one. Cartwright emphasizes the importance of the central themes in the exposition. These include music and darkness.
