SHORT AND SWEET 2013 WEEK 8

Bruce Glen as the narrator in MR PISSED. Pic Sylvi Soe

From the hilarious MR PISSED to the dark and troubled world of COMA SUTRA, comes the eclectic mix of eleven plays presented at the 8th week of Short & Sweet festival.

MR PISSED, cleverly written by Phil Watson, is presented as the X-Rated version of the ‘Mr Happy’ childrens’ books – wickedly narrated by actor Bruce Glen – leaving the actors to mime out the story in their appropriate foam costumes, (designed by Kathy Baker). Director Nick Bolton has cast and choreographed this play with humorous precision.

Mr Pissed (Matt Lancey) wakes up in a strange place with a sore head. With no cigarettes left, he enters the shop of Mr Hussein (Anurag Chakradhar) to buy some. He needs a drink, so visits his local to see barmaid Miss Tits (Dannielle Emery), pursued by the curious, competitive Mr Hussein. The ensuing romp is very funny.

Another well-crafted comedy is GET ME TO THE STAGE ON TIME, written and directed by Ryan Watson. The once great Gloria Weston (Marlene Vaughan) is backstage at a Sydney RSL Club, traumatising over her wrinkles, demanding support from her young, sexy personal assistant, Jordan (James Kovea-Vueti). Her husband, Bernie (Greg Wilken), arrives to both cause and solve problems.

The ‘mafia meets Abbott and Costello’ comedy, SMART JIMMY SLOW BOB, written by Greg Gould and directed by Margaret Allen, has a familiar and appealing plot. Coma victim (Nick the Kid), in a hospital bed, is visited by mob brothers, (Dritan Arbana as Smart Jimmy and Scott Rutar as Slow Bob), who wish to kill him until Jimmy meets Nick’s sister Sally (Cara Matthews). This play features wonderful performances.

The night also featured some darker plays, confronting death and trauma:

The impressive monologue COMA SUTRA was written beautifully by Kate Toon and directed by Melinda Latsos. Aaron Nilan is a very talented actor (and writer), who brings life and humour to this bitter-sweet monologue about accident prone Matt, who arises from his coma to share his sad tale with the audience. His silent girlfriend, Suze, is oblivious to his thoughts, but can she really hear him?

Another clever take on the afterlife is WESTERN DEATH, written by Jamie Hughes. The play is set at the wake of Big Al (Timothy Weston), who arrives back from the dead to join his two mourning best mates, Mike (Daniel Felkai) and Phil (Shaun Martindale) for a chat. The direction by Alison Albany and performances are delightful and strangely confronting. A wonderfully crafted script.

The very sad and real play, THIS IS JACK, LEAVE A MESSAGE, ALRIGHT, is beautifully performed by Patrick Trumper as the father of a missing son, Jack. In a cold, empty police room, the father listens to his son’s mobile. We hear a series of messages that torment and tease. The policeman’s laptop confirms his worst fears.

A DAUGHTER’S VISIT, written by Michael Stang, is set in a nursing home where the mother (Colleen Henry), humiliates her daughter (Pauline Gardner), leading to a deep and traumatic series of questions.

These and the other plays make up an evening of inventive and stimulating ideas.

SHORT AND SWEET WEEK 8 opened at the King Street Theatre, Newtown on Wednesday 27th February and plays until Sunday March 3, 2013.

© Bronwyn Fullerton

28th February, 2013

Tags: Sydney Stage Reviews- Short and Sweet Week 8, Phil Watson, Bruce Glen, Kathy Baker, Nic Bolten, Matt Lancey, Anurag Chakradhar, Danielle Emery, Ryan Watson, Marlene Vaughan, James Kouen, Greg Wilken, Greg Gould, Margaret Allen, Dritan Arbana, Cara Matthews, Kate Toon, Melinda Latsos, Aaron Nilan, Jamie Hughes, Timothy Weston, Daniel Felkai, Shaun Martindale, Alison Albany, Patrick Trumper, Michael Stang, Colleen Henry, Pauline Gardner, Sydney Arts Guide, Bronwyn Fullerton