MORSVIVI was a project started in the university mid-year break of 2021, with extensive research going into different types of dramatic styles and techniques. As Liam has always had a love for surrealism and absurdism, he decided to write the piece. The idea of two characters being stuck in an unknown place came to him one day during a work shift, with all of his ideas regarding the theme and message “blending into one” as he served the customers at work that day. 

Liam researched ‘Waiting for Godot‘ by Samuel Beckett, a play about two characters in an unknown place, and this piece heavily inspired what is known as MORSVIVI today. The back and forth, non-sensical conversations between MORS and VIVI were drawn from Estragon and Vladimir’s conversations, and Liam loved how even though they were talking nonsense, there was always some meaning behind the text that was being discussed.

The message of MORSVIVI, although simple, is check up on your loved ones and put in the effort if you know they are struggling. Majority of the passages in the play, although may be nonsense to some, actually convey a hidden meaning of death. For example, ants, a topic discussed in detail, are a symbol of death in certain cultures around the world. Multiple wars, another topic discussed, are an obvious symbol of death due to the loss of life that occurs during them. If researched, MORS means death, VIVI means living, and once blended together MORSVIVI means LIVING DEATH. This sums up the play as a whole, as the characters are trapped in this void unable to leave and unsure where to go from there. It is hinted throughout the play about a cycle, or rotation, suggesting this incident will keep happening until a certain point is reached – and what that point is, well, that is up to the audience to decide and interpret.

Liam will begin his process of writing MORSVIVI into a full feature play once his university studies have concluded.