Allan Chapple

SHORT AND SWEET 2013 WEEK 6

Sebastian Wang and Alison Albany in STRICTLY BUSINESS

In a brief chat after the show, seven year veteran Writer/Director James Balian said,”You’ve got to write about what you know about.” Not original but very true in this Week 6 group of short plays. Subjects and weight of the scripts was as varied as the strengths of the writing, direction and performances. But this only added to the fun and as James agreed these opportunities are gold for writers of all persuasion and experience to see how their words translate to stage and are received.

Overall the audience on Wednesday night were delighted as the general standard was good with five stand outs.

EDDIE AND THE LOVE POSSUMS was hysterical; great script, direction and performance from all. THE COFFEE TABLE saw a wonderful performance in four roles from Mitchell Fitzpatrick, beautifully supported by Rhys Cohen.

THE TOBACCO TERRORISTS, (Balian’s script), showed the experience of it’s cast, Sheree De Costa, Catherine Hollyman and Alex Bryant Smith, in a smooth, effortless performance. Catherine’s Emma was perhaps a little OTT but contrasted well with the underplaying of the other two. The denouement could also have used a little expansion.

HATATTI focused our attention on bullying, bigotry and racism and how we are all simply different edges of the same coin (50 cents in Australia). The script, (Dania Nour), was very good but lost its way a little towards the end.

This was a very worthy subject and obviously Dania was ‘writing about what she knew about’ but, (if you can find one), but it would have assisted to have a separate director to help tweak the script a little. The performances were moving, especially by Luke Berman, but Eliza St John was not far behind.

VIVA PRINCESS was a witty little foray into what our pets might think of our silliness ably and amusingly brought to life by a good cast (Emma Hawthorne, Amy Fisher, Aya Parsons, Diley Alanca). But, appropriately, the dogs were the best actors!

STRICTLY BUSINESS ( writer Pete Shelley- I hope he’s not writing from experience), was a nicely crafted script about workplace bullying, albeit a little long, but with a subject that has been in the headlines recently with new Commonwealth legislation proposed.

The performances from Sebastian Wang and Alison Albany, were a little patchy. Of course the Sandra character’s personality was a little screwy so maybe that was right. Nice ending.

HARRY POTTER IN TEN MINUTES certainly pleased the younger sections of the audience and was delivered with plenty of exuberance. The play came across as more of a Theatre Sports exercise than a play but worked all right. I wouldn’t do the backwards thing unless you’ve got a twist of some sort. Actors corpsing then giggling wears thin after once!

The energy and fun in all the other performances made Week 6 of Short and Sweet more than palatable and easy to recommend. Week 6 runs at the King Street Theatre, corner King and Bray Street, Newtown until Monday 18th February, 2013

© Allan Chapple

14th February, 2013

Tags: Sydney Stage Reviews- Short and Sweet Week 6, Sydney Arts Guide, Allan Chapple, James Balian, Mitchell Fitzpatrick, Rhys Cphen, Sheree De Costa. Catherine Hollyman, Alex Bryant Smith, Dania Nour, Luke Berman, Eliza St John, Emma Hawthorne, Amy Fisher, Aya Parsons, Pete Shelley, Alison Albany

Published by Allan Chapple

Allan Chapple has done over three thousand performances, including the series director in 2005 Tele movie ''Dynasty – Behind the Scenes'', two thirds of which involved singing, and has produced a dozen or more dramatic and comic plays, 2 full scale musicals, 6 theatre restaurant shows, 20 pantomimes and children’s shows, 2 short films and written and directed some 60 corporate and training videos. He has taught acting for TV and Film at Ensemble Studios as well as acting for theatre at Brent Street and many other schools, and corporate communication skills for many top leaders in the public and private sectors.