This week at Short and Sweet is the People’s Choice Showcase Week, and has seen some great work:-
1. TAGGED
Cleverly delivered message, where three of four people have the strongest reasons to cancel their facebook accounts, and re-join the real world where couples keep their secrets.
Writer: Russell Bell
Director: Steven Tait
Cast: Jack Douglas (Man), Ally O’Brien (Woman), Mark Longhurst (Waiter).
2. ANOTHER DAY OUT WITH THE MATES
This play is a comedy sequel with a huge cast. Eight convicted criminals in weekend detention, disappear inside a church, and are finally found by the shy trainee female field officer, after a song and dance number.
Writer: Marcia Neilson
Director: Debbie Neilson
ITC: Mumanbubb production company
Cast: Richard Littlehales (Winterbottem), Victor Moore (Crabtree), Luke Reeves (Horne), Kerry Russell (Wepu), Alannah Robertson (Officer Snodgrass), Pauline Gardner (Sister Absist), David Berry (Condon), Glenn Wanstall (Cockburn), James Walkom (Swindle), Les Davidson (Brownscombe), Amylea Griffin (Officer Huntsmen).
3. WHERFORE ART THOU OH WRITING INSPIRATION
William Shakespeare explores in a humorous and clever manner, the many re-writes that created Romeo and Juliet, revealing many of his famous characters, and of his nemesis The Lord Chamberlain.
Writer: Jeffrey Hampson
Director: Courtney Powell
ITC: Centrique Theatre
Cast: Jeffrey Hampson (William Shakespeare, ET AL).
4. GOD: THE PERFORMANCE REVIEW
Female God XJ7 is responsible for our universe and the Planet Earth, and its seven billion humans have not impressed God’s corporate employer, Universes Incorporated. Will God make the correct decision, to help mankind beat the challenge?
Writer: Allan West
Director: Simon Doctor
Cast: Benjamin Bonar (Jason), Leyla Hart-Svensson (Ms. Parkes), Edith Hueck (God XJ7), Nick Wright (Mr. Maxwell).
5. SCRATCH
A very black comedy about now very bleak future of renting/buying videos. Our couch potato discovers that he owes money to the wrong people. We follow the downfall of cinema dvds and the rise of cinema downloading, with unexpected consequences for the three debt collectors.
Writer: Tom Green
Director: Tom Green
ITC: Thieving Monkey Theatre Company
Cast: James Shepherd (The Boss), Jed Clarke (James), Richie P. (Johnny), Shaun A. Robinson (Bob).
6. SNAIL MAIL
Ray and John have met by chance, and in less than ten minutes, we follow their postal correspondence over the next ten years whilst apart. Despite distance, time brings their friendship closer.
Writer: Peter Bloem
Director: Luke Berman
ITC: Black Box Theatre
Cast: Bobby Babin (Ray), James Belfrage (John).
7. A BUG’S RIGHTS
The provocative and radical Jorge the beetle, creates comedy as his crack addicted solicitor (just think RAKE) pushing the Supreme Court Judge for a universal declaration of insect rights, with an unexpected 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 (voice of The Bug).
8. I WISH MY MUM HAD TWO BROKEN LEGS
Delightful huge cast, with constant changes of costumes, and a very physical performance all about a mother’s deep depression, and all of her daughters many wishes to make The Black Dog be gone forever.
Writer: Cara Jeffrey
Director: Natasha Hanlon
Cast: Rebecca Levy, Jessica Hanlon, Natalie Hanlon, Mitchell Jacka, Gabrielle Bartlet, May Greham, Jennifer Hicks.
9. SO SAYS THE SEA
Two young women head to the ocean to escape, after being spurned by their boyfriends. Two tourists, both very different young men, the experience dramatically changes one woman’s life for the better, but leaves the other woman shocked and upset.
Writer: Rachel Welch
Director: James Hartley
ITC: Upper Crass Theatre Company
Cast: Maddy Stedman (Poppy), Aleks Mikic (Lucas), Petrie Porter (Dee), Alex Cubis (Tom).
10. MAJOR SAWQUATCH AND THE HOUSE OF WAX
The waxing salon owner, Major Sawquatch must quickly remove Jane’s map of tasmania, that actually looks more like an overgrown Sasquatch. An audience comedy favourite, despite Jane’s screams each time some of her hair disappears.
Writer: Sarah Pember
Director: Dudley Levell
Cast: Sue Broberg (Major Sawquatch), Clare Tamas (Jane), Olivia Gorman (Renee).
At the end of the evening the audience got to vote for their favourite two plays.
I enjoyed all of the plays, alas only get the honour of going through to the Gala Finals on the 19th and 20th March at the Factory Theatre, Marrickville
Short + Sweet – People’s Choice Showcase Week is playing Thursday 5th to Saturday 7th March at 6.30pm and Sunday 8th March 5.30pm at the Fusebox, Factory Theatre, Marrickville.
You can also experience the finals of the other set of plays seen only on weekends, the Wildcards Finals at the same venue on Saturday 7th March 2.30pm and Sunday 8th March at 1pm.