All pics by Stephen Favaloro and in the correct sequence of the ten plays.
The biggest little play festival in the world is back for its fifteenth year, and now also has free car parking. Expect to see up to 160 ten minute plays across the eight weeks, with a Gala Final in March. SHORT+SWEET THEATRE SYDNEY this year, runs Wednesdays to Sundays, from 6 January 2016 to 13 March 2016. This is a very entertaining week, with ten wonderful plays, and very hard to pick the winner this week.
(1) ASK NOT FOR WHOM THE PHONE RINGS … IT RINGS FOR THEE
DIRECTOR: Adrian Bitel
WRITER: Felix Carlyle
Two office business men are stuck with telephone hell, do not call, comedy of constant unwanted spam telephone calls, lead to an expensive mistake. Dealing with getting even with the unwanted calls, generated loads of laughter and then applause for the ending. Cast: Ryan Bowen (Dameon), Elliot Falzon (Drew the client).
(2) FEAR
DIRECTOR: Angeline Andrews
WRITER: Ian Burgess
A very effective drama of one quite insane mother, so who will she kill next? Cast: Megan Mapp (Mother).
(3) BETWEEN OLD FRIENDS
DIRECTOR: Wendy Crew
WRITER: Wendy Crew
ITC: The Performance Crew
Two school girl friends, now women with families. They suddenly meet up again because of Facebook web pages, but were they ever actually friends or perhaps only acquaintances, find out more.
(4) GNOME DE PLUME
DIRECTOR: Mandy Sugar
WRITER: Sally Davies
Two women meet at a park bench. Never ever cross paths with a fishing gnome, delightful comedy easily made this an audience favourite.
(5) ON THEIR PEDESTALS
DIRECTOR: Carol Dance
WRITER: Carol Dance
ITC: Scene Theatre Productions
Three religions, each represented by their own God, dramatically presented, but which religion is the best of the best?
(6) AMUSE BOUCHE
DIRECTOR: Brittany Ayden
WRITER: Pamela Western
A couple meet at a restaurant. Wonderful gastronomic food choices, but will the world’s most annoying waiter, accidentally destroy their relationship?
(7) SAUERKRAUT
DIRECTOR: Jeremy Goodwin
WRITER: Gina Cohen
ITC: She’ll Be Right On The Night
One unarmed French resistance fighter versus a German soldier during World War Two. Monologue in multiple voices. Cast: Gina Cohen (Sophie).
(8) LOOP
DIRECTOR: Cecile Payet
WRITER: Therese Cloonan
Women cheat too. Yet another drama about a forever cheating male, and his two female lovers.
(9) A DAY OUT WITH THE MATES: IN THE BUSH
DIRECTOR: Richard Littlehales
WRITER: Marcia Neilson
ITC: Dayout Productions
The musical we had to have, from the Wizard Of Oz. Weekend detention outing for four Aussie criminals, bush tucker, looked after by one female corrective services officer. What can go wrong?
(10) WINNING
DIRECTOR: Michele Mattiuzzi
WRITER: Graham Yates
ITC: Crash Test Drama Sydney
Can you trust your family, when your sister is a solicitor? Never count your lottery winnings before they hatch. Cast: Grace Rouvray (Raechel – the solicitor), Charles Cosgrove (Simon – her brother).
SHORT AND SWEET THEATRE Top 80 week one 2016, runs from Wednesday 6 January 2016 to Sunday 10 January 2016 at the Depot Theatre, 142 Addison Road, Marrickville.