The vibe is incredible. Once everyone has recovered from Christmas feasting and New Year’s Eve binging King Street Theatre, formerly Newtown Theatre, is abuzz. Even the dress rehearsal (reserved for Writers, Directors and Actors of S+S only) is a sell-out.
Opening night makes the theatre look like a Tokyo subway station at rush hour. There is a big compliment to make. The technical crew of S+S is functioning like a clockwork. No matter what glitch appears, they are on top of things at all time. Artistic Director Pete Malicki keeps his promise from week one. He even manages to enhance it by presenting ten little plays balanced like a tightrope artist.
At the end of the evening, there is not a single person that does not sport a smile on their face. Many audience members hang around in the foyer to discuss and inhale the atmosphere for a little bit longer. Astonishing.
The evening kicks off with THE INTERVIEWS by Victorian writer Andrew O’Keefe. I cannot say much about it since I directed this little gem. Marty O’Neilll as Jack (80 years old) and Keith Mcilroy as Tom (60 years old) are at their throats with enthusiasm and determination until the play comes to a surprising end.
SIX NAKED GIRLS AT A NUDIST BEACH is a mutation of cabaret, burlesque and silliness. Directed by Lucy Shepherd and featuring Hayley Kerrigan, Gretchen Mach and Jessica Heath. Sean Brandtman and the playwright Frank Dellano are the men opposite the barely dressed girls. Left & Right Productions turns on the heat with sound effects by Henry Benjamin edited by Reece Kirby. Costume designer Kat Chan obviously ran out of cloth and makes the best of it.
David ‘High Speed Train’ Atrill plays Keef in ONE DAY IN THE LIFE OF KEEF; THE HUMAN RIFF. Written by Benito Di Fonzo and directed by Alana Hicks, the play celebrates Keith Richards and Atrill chases through the monologue, which easily could last for 20 minutes, with the speed of light, in a tour de force of its own kind. The play is presented by Fonzo Journalism.
NUMBER 4 IS THE ACTOR. Valentino Arico is struck by stage fright. Will there be an audience tonight? Yes, there is. Exactly 103 people in the sold out King Street Theatre. Jackie and Gerry Greenland and their Green Independent Theatre Company sign off on the production. Jackie Greenland contributes the writing and Gerry Greenland shines as director. Yet another worthwhile effort of these S+S veterans…
David Fingret’s SPARKLING EFFLUENCE concludes part 1 of the evening. This is a witty and engaging little play about moral issues and sewage. Drinking sewage that is. Raj Muneshwar cleverly directs it and Valentino Arico, Lidia Stojanoska and Eliza St John are a formidable cast.
SIX SHARP WORDS marks James Balian’ 9th Short+Sweet Production as writer/director. Robert Zavadszky plays Michael and Sally Kym Parrish is Sally who meets her ex-boyfriend in front of a piano bar two years after their break up. Is there a chance for reconciliation or is there not? Word can heal or kill. A beautiful piano soundtrack performed by Kym Parrish herself sets the mood for grand emotions.
Jennifer Faletto’s PRETTY BIRD is truly a Bird Play. Marriage can be frustrating. Sure. However, when it declines to daily consultations with Valentin the Bird it becomes devastating. Peter Morris as Dave, Lisa Hanssens as Olivia and Sepy Baghaei as Valentin are admirable. Rhéma Burns directs with the steady hand of her profession.
Queensland writer Allison Manson presents number eight, HYACINTH COURT. Larry Kelly, an S+S. all-rounder is at the helm of direction. Frank Davidson plays an old man nurturing a relationship of the special kind with a young girl, played by Elena Burger. Their relationship is haunted by the simple fact that the two of them have never met. An intriguing concept and worthwhile listening to.
JANE AUSTEN MADE ME DO IT is presented by Artermis Productions. Deborah Mulhall has written the script and also directs. Jane Austin is truly present on stage. Vincent Andriano superbly plays all the Jane Austen men Olivia Gailiunas as Olivia is in love with. Ms Gailiunas is also responsible for the delciater costume design. Original music composed by John Garden creates the atmosphere Jane Austin deserves.
The final play for the night is THE CAUSE. Jacob Boylan and Neel Kolhatkar wrote, directed and perform in the final play of the evening. They engage their audience from the first second and do not loosen their grip until the very end. There is a lot of laughter. Good laughter. The perfect end of a perfect evening. This for sure will be a classic.
In conclusion: Do not miss Short and Sweet 2012. There are seven more weeks to come and at the end, this season might be the best ever.
© Markus Weber- EMU productions (theatre & music) Pty Ltd
13th January, 2012
Tags: SYDNEY THEATRE REVIEWS- SHORT AND SWEET WEEK 2, MARKUS WEBER, KERRY FLUHR