Short and Sweet Theatre Sydney is the largest festival of ten minute plays in the world, running over two months. Week 6 Top 80 provided yet another group of very highly entertaining plays.
1. SOLAR
Comedy delight, so who will win, the publicist or the polar bear?
Writer: Pete Malicki
Director: Lyn Chick
Cast: Ebony Halliday (Polar Bear), Jordan Sykes (Danny Everest)
* Unfortunately the play SOLAR was not eligible for votes *
2. A BITTER PILL
Harrowing true story about her final days of cold turkey for the now abandoned drug-addict / prostitute.
Writer: Garreth Cruikshank
Director: Garreth Cruikshank
ITC: Kameleon Productions
Cast: Louise Gowing
3. A CASE OF ACUTE ANGINA
Audience favourite, well-cast absurdist comedy of mis- communication caused by hearing loss in the elderly. Complemented by great makeup and costumes.
Writer: Lyndall Johnson
Director: Lyndall Johnson
ITC: Little Black Cat Productions
Cast: Jonathon Leigh Collings (Muriel), Sebastian Wang (Alva Goodall), Alison Albany (Ambulance Officer)
4. SPEAKING FREELY
At his place, a first date couple are on the worst magical date imaginable, but we hear their words, but comedy results from also hearing their thoughts.
Writer: Jack Kelly
Director: Serhat Caradee
Cast: Hunter Mcmahon (Blake), Krystle Hill (Kelly), Sebastian Angborn (Blake C), Amanda Collins (Kelly C)
5. FINDING LOVE@.COM
Two control freaks, who are both unable to give acceptance, instead choosing to never compromise on the smallest of vital issues. Long distance internet dating, by typing online at ematch.com
Writer: Cary Pepper
Director: Deanna CoCo
Cast: Freya Jokela, James Stubbs Grigoriou
6. BRAINSTRUST
Budget politics reduced to comedy, remember that in Australian Federal Politics you only get the best politicians that money can buy.
Writer: Craig Delahoy
Director: Larry Kelly
Cast: James Parbery (PM), Brooke Doherty (Constanace), Luke Brattoni (Digby)
7. THE GARAGE SALE
Vaudeville at its finest, urgently trying to find buyers for all the items at a garage sale.
Writer: Wendy Crew
Director: Wendy Crew
ITC: The Performance Crew
Cast: Lisa Hanssens (Seller)
8. A BUG’S RIGHTS
The provocative and radical Jorge the beetle, has his crack addicted solicitor (think RAKE) pushing the Judge for a universal declaration of insect rights, with an unexpected comedy twist at the end.
Writer: James Hartley
Director: James Shepherd
ITC: Upper Crass Theatre Company
Cast: Tom Green (The Lawyer), James Hartley (The Judge), Bendeguz Devenyi-Botos (The Bug)
9. ENCHANTED
A beautifully performed message piece, where neighbours disagree over their very different approaches to finding peace through relaxation techniques.
Writer: Judy Couttie
Director: Belinda Elchaar
ITC: Vedanta Short Play Festival
Cast: Aaron Scully, Louise Wildman, Belinda Elchaar, Marima Whitton, Felicity Jean
This week it was very difficult to pick the winner from these nine plays, however it is a great pity that only one play can go through to the Gala Finals.
Top 80 Week 6 performances until Sunday 15 February 2015 at the Fuse Box, Factory Theatre, 105 Victoria Road, Marrickville.
There are then two more Top 80 weeks at this venue, followed by a series of finals. I definitely recommend attending this festival to see a wonderful range of writing, directing and acting.