Short+Sweet Theatre Sydney 2017

Enquiries regarding the festival can be sent to wayne.tunks@shortandsweet.org

Festival Director: Wayne Tunks

Technical Manager: Louise Mason - Louise.Mason@shortandsweet.org

Stage Manager: Georgia Styles

Want to join our team?

Email: wayne.tunks@shortandsweet.org with your CV and details on what you would most like to get involved with behind the scenes of the world's biggest short play festival.

Week One Plays - January 11-15

Congratulations to our week one winners:

Judge's Votes:

1st Dead Giveaway

2nd Witness

3rd Beard

Dead Giveaway gets entry into the final

Festival Director's Choice:

Beard

Beard will go through to the Festival Director's Choice final

People's Choice Votes:

1st Dead Giveaway 

2nd The Divide

3rd Witness

The Divide will go through to the People's Choice Final

1 - Alexander the Great

By James C Ferguson / Directed by Henrietta Stathopoulos

Cast: Maria Fouad, Gabrielle Green, Connor McInerny and Kayla Vanderent

How much territory does one man really need to conquer, anyway?

2 - Beard

Presented by Viridescent

Written by Erin Middleton and Robert Miniter / Directed by Lawrence Dooley

Cast: Erin Middleton and Robert Miniter

A classic tale of boy meets girl, with a not-so-classic twist

3 - Dead Giveaway

By Daniel Guyton / Directed by Felicity Burke

Cast: Duncan Armitage and Felicity Burke

Robert buys his wife an unconventional gift for Valentine's Day, which leads to an awkward conversation about love after death.

4 - The Divide

Written and Directed by Nicola Quilter

Cast: Pearl Herbet and Emmanuel Spiropoulos

It's been 30 years since the UK split apart and you need a passport to get into the walled city of London

5 - Heat Visions

Written and Directed by Nick Subjak

Cast: Alice Furze

Grabbing a bowl of cereal may seem simple, but not when you're sunburnt!

6 - Mid Life Crisis

Presented by SJT

Written and Directed by Robert Sharpe

Cast: Barbara Hastings, Alannah Robertson and Robert Sharpe

Mid life crisis? What crisis? The best time I have had in years, until..........

7 - The Office of Threats to Western Civilisation

Written by Kate Jaimet / Directed by Henrietta Stathopoulos

Cast: Connor McInerney, Gabrielle Green, Sophie Cuthel Logue, Guet MacAcuek, Nicolas Menohous and Mario Fouad

In 2015 the Canadian Prime Minister vowed that, if re-elected, he would establish a tipline where Canadians could denounce their neighbours for ‘barbaric cultural practices.’

8 - Outback Mountain

By Peter Greenaway / Directed by Suz Mawer

Cast: David Bedelis, Anthony Thomas

A disillusioned Sydney boy takes his moped on an ill-advised outback adventure in search of the stockman of his dreams, and gets more than he bargained for…

9 - Witness

By Bob Ballinger / Directed by Susan Stapleton

Cast: Donna Randall

A tragic story that shouldn’t have to be told, but must be.

Week Two Plays - January 18-22

Top 80 Week Two Winners:

Judge's Picks:

1st - Dress Ups

2nd - George Brown Steps Out

3rd - Trojan T3

People's Choice: 

1st - George Brown Steps Out

2nd - It's a Tragedy

3rd - Answer My Prayer

Festival Director's Choice:

Trojan T3

1 - Answer My Prayer

Presented by Active Theatre Productions

By Allan West / Directed by Richard Cotter

Cast: Steven Burns, Philip D'Ambrosio, Simon Doctor, Sarah Plummer, Alexandra Camp Martinez and Josiah Van Stolk

If we do or don't get what we pray for, how do we know if God was really listening?

2 - The Black Out

Written and Directed by Robyn Karakasch

Cast:Jock Bidwell, Thomas-Andrew Baxter, Sue Bidwell, Fran Bosly-Craft

Audience participation is required in a rehearsal for a Radio Drama play in which a power outage becomes a cause for concern.

3 - Dress Ups

Presented by Grinning Sharks Productions

Written and Directed by Graham Yates

Cast: Garreth Cruikshank

We all like to play. But be careful which game you choose.

4 - Forgotten

By Isaac Owen / Directed by Ruth Fingret

Cast: Kaitlin de Lacy, Colleen Henry, Ray Coyne, Uma Kali Shakti and Mel Ryan

Olive thinks she’s been kidnapped. Mary thinks Grandma has gone mad. Who is right?

5 - George Brown Steps Out

By Gerry Greenland / Directed by Sonia Bible

Cast: Rob White and Graham Yates

George’s life is pretty ordinary until today;  now it’s going to change forever.

6 - It's A Tragedy

By Steven Otfinoski / Directed by Mandy Sugar

Cast: Ayeshah Rose and James Sugrue

Will Shakespeare comes to America to oversee a new production of "Hamlet," only to find his American producer has some interesting suggestions to make.

7 - Neptunes Part II

By Liam Burke / Directed by Renee Lim

Cast: Jodie Dal Bon, Constance Khoo, Brigid O'Sullivan, Eveline Schubert and  Alexandra Stamell

1978. Backstage at Neptune's Lounge strip club in Kings Cross, an American journalist gets more than she asks for while investigating the international sex slave trade.

8 - The Supermarket

Presented by Bucking Broncos

Written by Chris Naylor / Directed by Liam Smith

Cast: Sally Williams and Haki Crisden

A shoppa-phobe is forced to negotiate the culture of the supermarket with disastrous consequences

9 - T3 Trojan

Presented by Bare Bones Theatre Co.

Written and Directed by Judith Duncan

Cast: Karishma Mathur

In a near future dystopia where the justice system is in the hands of computers,one woman,alone and blindfolded must defend her life.

Week Three Plays - January 25-29

Week Three Top 80 Winners:

Judges Picks:

1st - Painting Seventeen

2nd - Moon Baby

3rd - Attachment Theory

Moist

Simulationship

People's Choice Votes:

1st - Moist

2nd - Moon Baby

3rd - Sssshh!!

Festival Director's Choice: 

Attachment Theory

1 - Attachment Theory

Devised by Gina Tay Limpus and Jamie Kendall / Directed by Jamie Kendall

Cast: Gina Tay Limpus, Jamie Kendall

A Physical Theatre piece that explores American Psychologist John Bowbly’s theory of relationship attachment

2 - Beware the Zebra

Presented by THEM

Written by Xeno Nemos / Directed by Peter Whitehead

Cast: Melissa Hilas, Nicolo Artigas, Roslyn Hicks and Xeno Nemos

At the scene of an accident involving a cyclist, the police officer sides with the privileged against the victim, adding insult to injury.

3 - Crime Fiction

By Rachel Le Rossignol / Directed by Wombat GT

Cast: Jasmine Cabrera and Shayne deGroot

Sometimes you shouldn't ask a crime writer where they get their inspiration from.

4 - Moist

Presented by Grumpy Mandrake Theatre

By Seymour Nixen / Directed by Nathan Farrow

Sparkle, Frosty and Almond are two cupcakes and a muffin in a bakery who haven’t been eaten and times are desperate.

5 - Moon Baby

Presented by She'll Be Right On the Night

Written by Gina Cohen

Cast: Gina Cohen

While Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin are planning their walk on the moon,  Carol is planning her moonlanding party.  Things are not going to plan.

6 - Painting Seventeen

Written by Sharon Cooper / Directed by Alexander Andrews

Cast: Lauren Lloyd Williams and Eleanore Knox

An artist's self portrait reveals more than whats on the canvas.

7 - Simulationship

Written by David Strauss / Directed by Seymour Nixen

Cast: Matilda Moran and Nyssa Hamilton

Set in the not-too-distant future, Ryan and Beth practice with simulations of each other before actually going on a date, but this doesn't help them connect.

8 - Sparrows Die All the Time

Presented by Space Tiger Theatre Company

Written by Phillip Gallop / Directed by Glen Pead

Cast: Charlotte Hanson

The surviving half of an electrp-pop duo lives in the shadow of her deceased band mate, a legend that every year gets more removed from the friend she knew.

9 - Sshhh!

Written by Genevieve Tree / Directed by Florence Florens

Cast: Laurel McGowan, Richard Mason, Tim Ressos and Alison Benstead

In living rooms. Free of charge. For housemates only.

 

Week Four Plays: February 1-5

Week Four Winners:

Judge's Pick:

1st Tapping Out 

2nd One Night Stan

3rd Arthur & Marilyn

People's Choice Winner: 

1st One Night Stan

2nd Arthur & Marilyn

3rd Hidden Depths

Festival Director's Choice:

Arthur & Marilyn

1 - Arthur and Marilyn

Presented By Half Boy Company

Written By Jasper-Lee Lindsay / Directed by Danen Young

Cast: Meg Hyeronimus and Alec Ebert 

A fictitious recount of the night Arthur Miller and Marilyn Monroe met, where a moment alone together sparked an iconic relationship.

2 - Brexit

Presented By Budding Theatre Company

Written and directed by Kirsty Budding

Cast:Kaivu Suvarna, Amelia Green, Michael Ubrihien and Rina Onorato

On the day of the EU Referendum, a wait at a bus stop gets political...

3 - Diary of a Breakup / Breakdown

Presented by Alex Broun Company

Written By Alex Broun / Directed by Peter Whitehead

Cast:Claire Bird & Michael Booker

"Diary of a Break-up/Break-down", a play about the weeks after a relationship ends.

4 - Hidden Depths

Written by Pamela Western / Directed by Mark Fowler

Cast: Christine Aldridge and James Sugrue

A Pirate applies for a job at the Tax Office

5 - One Night Stan

Presented by Third Bite

Written by Adam Szudrich / Directed by Grant Wilson

Cast: Gina Cohen, Ally O'Brien and Emma Caldwell

After an extended hiatus, Stan’s been playing the dating game - but what is he after?

6 - Still Alive

Presented by Nautanki Theatre

Written and Directed by Dilbagh Singh

Cast: Dilroop Khangura, Shanelle Sin and Dilbagh Singh

A girl going through a confused state of mind about whether she is dead or alive. There is a moment of infatuation, an angel and devil all in one room.

7 - The Story of Darling Brown

Presented by The Monologue Project

Written and Directed by Pete Malicki

Cast: Katharine Babatzanis 

Darling Brown was born was a crippling name and wants to know why her parents didn't give her a normal name, like her twin sister Jesse.

8 - Tapping Out

Written by Maura Pierlot / Directed by Cecile Payet

Cast: Kaiya Bartholomew, Brayden Harry, Ethan Mestroni and Anton Smilek

Trapped in his psyche, a young man drawn to rhythm, rather than words, taps his feelings for the woman he loves in a desperate bid to ward off reality.

9 - Wish You Were Hair

Presented by RAPA Inc

Written by Kaz Getts / Directed by Kaz Getts and Warren Bradley

Cast: Warren Bradley and Christine Engelheart

Hair plays an important part in our lives and like most good things we probably only miss it when it’s gone.

Week Five Plays: February 8-12 (Wed - Sun @ 7.30pm)

Winners Week Five Top 80:

Judges Choice:

1st - A Dog Dreams

2nd - The Wee Small Hours

3rd - The Secret Of Me

People's Choice: 

1st - Yellow Means Caution

2nd - The Wee Small Hours 

Waiting For Go

Festival Director's Choice:

The Secret Of Me

1 - Det-end-tion

Presented by Moontan Productions

Written by Amelia Gilday & Alex Fenner / Directed byAmelia Gilday

The relationship between two students is tested when they discover their time is running out.

Cast: Riley Marnell and Daniel Pryke

2 - A Dog Dreams

Written by Jeffrey Fischer-Smith / Directed by Jace Pickard

Mark has recently died but returns to tell his grieving partner Andy that the family dog is grieving just as much.

Cast; Jack Dawson & Richard Lund

3 - Love, Honour & Obey

Written by Sally Williams / Directed by Angeline Andrews

A knife, a couple and a promise.

Cast: Kirra Farquharson and Will Reilly

4 - #NotAllMen

Presented by Village Spirit Productions

Written & Directed by Kel Vane

In the interrogation room of a police station, an alleged victim and perpetrator give their wildly different accounts of an encounter that took place earlier that evening.

Cast: Michelle Burge, Margareta Moir and James Walkom

5 - Not So Super

Presented by Musketeer Productions

Written & Directed by Paulene Turner

Tim lives in the shadow of his super family.  But the time is coming for him to step forward into the light.

Cast: Paul Byrne, Nicholas Drummond, Liz Hovey and Rebecca Towns

6 - Objectum Sexuality

Written by Ron Burch / Directed by Kathryn Thomas

Mike has fallen in love with a rocking chair and, hopefully, Dr. Santos can help him.

Cast: Bryce Lavery-Jacko and Wayne Buckley

7 - The Secret of Me

Presented by Almost Evkav

Written by Sonal Moore / Directed by Evangeline Moore

A spontaneous night of fun in an art gallery storeroom is interrupted when Sarah discovers a confronting piece from her past.

Cast: Jack Marsden & Alexandra Joyce

8 - Waiting For Go

Written by Elspeth Tilley / Directed by Kym Vaitiekus

If the purpose of art is to make us see the world differently, what's the purpose of the roadworkers who have been stationed outside your front gate for eight weeks now?

Cast: Barbara Hastings, Seb Normel

9 - The Wee Small Hours

Presented By Angelfish Productions

Written by Leonie Jordan / Directed by Margaret Fitzgerald

A late night phone call becomes a journey of love, loss and healing in this touching and tender play about reaching out and letting go.

Cast: Pauline Gardner & Rob White

Music by Daniel O'Connor

10 - Yellow Means Caution

Written by Gregory Crafts / Directed by Victoria Lewis

Max comes home to find that his wife, Loretta, has painted every surface in their apartment bright yellow. Is it a bold style choice, or a sign that there's something amiss?

Cast: Emma Mylott & Andrew Wang

Week Six Plays: February 15-19 (Wed - Sun @ 7.30pm)

Week Six Winners:

Judges Choice:

1st - Out of the Woods

2nd - Freestyle Pawn Stars 

3rd - My Name is Lucinda

People's Choice:

1st - Freestyle Pawn Stars

2nd - Out of the Woods

3rd - Killjoy

Festival Director's Choice 

My Name is Lucinda

1 - Broadband Blues

Written and Directed by Geoff McCubbin

Fred and Wilma try to come to terms with the NBN

Cast: David Humphrey, Fran Bosly-Craft, Mark Smith, Anton Baggerman

2 - Compos Mentis

Written by Marilyn Millstone / Directed by Patrick Matijevic

Robert and Alese Langford are interviewing for a coveted spot at Silver Glades Senior Living, but is Silver Glades really ready for Robert and Alese?

Cast: Aileen Beale, Graham Egan And Denise Kitching

3 - Freestyle Pawn Stars

Presented by e4 Productions

Written by Keegan Fisher, Jake Izzy, Julz Larson and Ziggy Tockuss / Directed by Dudley Levell

Freestyle Pawn Stars is a chess-themed, hip-hop infused, improvised play that celebrates rhythm, rhyme, riffs and freestyle rap.

Cast: Keegan Fisher, Jake Izzy, Julz Larson, Ziggy Tockuss and Mark Longhurst

4 - Ice Cream Mafia

Written by Vee Malnar / Directed by Thomas Richards

What happens when the mafia want to take over an icecream brand?

Cast: Jay Duncan, Erick Guanlao, Jasper Musgrave & Meili Bookluck

5 - Killjoy

Presented by Imprint Theatre Company

Company Devised

Pain Arrives Bang! But what happens next?

Cast: Wendi Lanham, Laurence Nelmes, Martin Quinn, Rebecca Waters, Kate Vozella & Annie Thorold

6 - The Last

Written by Bokkie Robertson / Directed by Chantelle Corbet

The last man on Earth comes to terms with his approaching death. Cast: Alex Hatz & Milica Pajic

7 - My Name is Lucinda

Presented by Backstage Pass

Written & Directed by Lisa Kelaher

As a child, Catherine took comfort in her grandmother's warm embrace and John Wayne westerns of daytime tv - problem is - she took it to a whole new level as an adult.

Cast: Margareta Moir

8 - Out of the Woods

Presented by Everyday Monster

Written & Directed by Brenton Amies & Cam Ralph

The story of two former Children’s TV Hosts reuniting after a turbulent few years. A dark comedy featuring a fluffy bear! Cast: Brenton Amies & Cam Ralph

Week Seven Plays: February 22-26 (Wed - Sun @ 7.30pm)

Week 7 Results:

Judges Choice:

1st - Time Squad

2nd - Mexican Stand Off

3rd - The Accident

People's Choice:

1st - Mexican Stand Off

2nd - The Accident 

3rd - Mary Twist

4th - A Bottle of Vodka

Festival Director's Choice:

The Accident

1 - The Accident

Presented by Marko Mustac Productions

Written By Marko Mustac / Directed by Jenny Hope

A Black comedy about a dysfunctional couple in a long-term relationship who literally argue to death.

Cast: Marko Mustac & Lou Pollard

2 - At Home With Larry & George

Written by Gavin Roach / Directed by Amber Wilcox

At Home with Larry and George is a tale of art, good taste and the endless quest for excellence…no matter the cost.

Cast: Garreth Cruikshank & Reilly Johnson

3 - A Bottle of Vodka

Written by Connie Schinewolf / Directed by Larry Kelly

Two alcoholics are thrown into a room with no doors and a bottle of vodka; are they in heaven, hell, or somewhere in between?

Cast: Mark Fowler & Liz Hovey

4 - Island Journey

Presented by Rainbow Connections Theatre Co.

Written & Directed by Uma Kali Shakti

How do we gain closure? This in one woman’s journey attempting to fulfill cultural expectations while also dealing with grief and loss.

Cast: Veena Sudarshan

5 - The Lifecycle of Refrigerators

Written by Nataliya Oryshchuk / Directed by Adam Grubner

The team meeting's busy agenda includes many items: gardening for the homeless and befriending strangers, methods of stress relief and even loneliness of refrigerators…

Cast: Graham Egan, Luke Evans, Rizcel Gagawanan, David Luke & Sonja Ridden

6 - Mary Twist

Written & Directed by Mikayla Hatjinikitas

A young lady from the Victorian Era finds herself whisked away to a more desirable world.

Cast: Izzy Hanly, Damian Asher, Mark Herrison, Indiana Rubin-Tasic, Paris Galanos & Russell Kay

7 - Mexican Stand Off

Written by Sally Bartley / Directed by Spike Hogan

It's class warfare at the soccer, where rules were made to be broken.

Cast: Tristan Clarke, Isabel Dickson, Peter Maple & Jaime Ureta

8 - Not Toilet Trained

Presented by Seat of the Pants Productions

Written & Directed byRuth Fringret

Greg returns home to visit his parents to find things have changed, and not for the better. A light hearted look at dementia and its impact on family.

Cast: Valentino Arico, Sandra Campbell & Lewis Scamozzi

9 - The Search

Written by Michael Panes / Directed by Isabel Dickson

A professor thinks he's contacted alien life, but his wife thinks he needs to contact her first.

Cast: Emily Potts and Adnan Zey

10 - Ten Minutes on A train platform

Presented by Mariposa Productions

Written by Felix Carlyle / Directed by Margaret Fitzgerald

A lonely platform, late at night… Someone might need help…

Cast: Christine Aldridge & Isaac Owen

11 - Time Squad

Presented by Black Box Theatre Co.

Written by Alexander Cuff / Directed by Luke Berman

In the Time Squad, agents are taught to avoid distorting the natural flow of the space-time continuum. So, what happens when two of the top Time Cops break that rule? Or... will break that rule?

Cast: Bradley Ward, Alex Groombridge, Sam Sweeting & Sam Lovell

12 - Wheelchair

Written by Scott Mullen / Directed by Diane Busuttil

A woman in a wheelchair strikes up a conversation with a man in a park, talking about their lives and making bets about the behaviour of other people they see. Are they headed for love – or something else?

Cast: Paul Kohn & Latisha Owens

Week Eight Plays: March 1-5 (Wed - Sun @ 7.30pm)

Week 8 Results:

Judge's Choice 

1st - One Punch

2nd - Floss

- Game of the Century

3rd - Stargazers

People's Choice

1st - Game of the Century

2nd - One Punch 

3rd - Stargazers

Festival Director's Choice

Floss

1 - The Bridge

Presented by Mega Theatre Productions

Written by Jayaprakash Kulur / Directed by Sreejith Gangadharan

A chance encounter of two strangers at a bridge progresses into an eventful journey, where the privileged is disempowered.

Cast: Sreejith Gangadharan, Nithin Balakrishnan

2 - Floss

Written by John Tilbrook / Directed by Addie Fowler

Hearts are full instead of cavities at this dentist’s, and secret loves are tested by a woman with wicked intentions.

Cast: Justine Matulewicz, Jasper Musgrave & Rachel Marley

3 - Game of the Century

Presented by JAMS Productions

Written by Mark Longhurst / Directed by Steve Tait

A prequel to last year’s Short+Sweet play Match of the Century, Game of the Century integrates elements of rhythm, rhyme and spoken word in order to chronicle the extraordinary rise of chess player Bobby Fischer and pay tribute to one of the greatest games of chess ever played.

Cast: Manon Gunderson-Briggs, Heath Jelovic, Mark Longhurst, Chris Tomkinson & Andrew Wang

4 - Good Vibrations

Written by Susan Mattocks / Directed by Valentino Arico

Shayleen's mission to discreetly buy a vibrator in the local sex shop doesn't go to plan...

Cast: Sandra Campbell, Emma Louise & David Wiernik

5 - Judgement Days

Presented by Mockingbird

Written by Carl J Sorheim / Directed by Chris Baldock

A man recounts his path to redemption

Cast: Nick Steain

6 - One Punch

Presented by Ranting Mime

Written & Directed by Jessica Fallico

A mum and dad process the news of their son dying in a one-punch attack.

Cast: Jacinta Moses & Anthony Thomas

7 - Press Pray

Written by Seth Freeman / Directed by Wayne Underwood

A desperate soul prays – and receives a response.

Cast: Glenn Anthony Levett & Wayne Underwood

8 - Stargazers

Written by Greg Gould / Directed by Simeon Yialeloglou

In an infinite universe, anything is possible ... even love.

Cast: Blake Eaton. Georgia Heiniger & David Quinn

9 - Time Machine

Presented by Natguru

Written by Bratya Basu / Directed by Asim Das

A family is shaken by the revelation of a secret past about their relationships and looks for pleas to protect their precious present.

Cast: Surja Gupta, Madhulekha Das, Anirban Basu & Rima Sen

10 - Tying Up Loose Ends

Presented by Blackout Theatre Co

Written by Mark Harvey Levine / Directed by Delle Fowler

The relationship is over. Now all that's left is a custody battle over a stack of CDs.

Cast: Daniel Boole, Daniel Conway & Delle Fowler

11 - When Babies Fly

Written by Steve Korbar / Directed by Avantika Tomar

On a redeye flight, a screaming child prompts a couple to find romantic attraction through their mutual dislike of children. Cast: Dimitri Kleioris and Avantika Tomar

12 - Ying Yang

Presented by Scene Theatre Productions

Written & Directed by Carol Dance

Two students from totally different backgrounds meet and immediately start a dangerous game of flirting.

Cast: Harrison Freeland & Erica Long

Wildcards Week Two Plays: January 21 & 22

Wildcards Week Two Results:

Judges Votes:

1st - The Christmas Fairy

2nd - Woman's Idea

3rd - Stand Off

People's Choice Votes: 

1st - Woman's Idea

2nd - Mister Hipster Meets the Barista

3rd - The Christmas Fairy

1 - The Christmas Fairy

Written by Adele Lewin & Nigel Palfreman / Directed by Adele Lewin

Cast: Adele Lewin

Will Crystal fulfill her raison d'etre this Christmas or once again be thwarted by a younger rival.

2 - Mister Hipster Meets the Barista

Written by Warren Glover / Directed by Felix Carlyle

Cast: Paul Byrne and Emma Caldwell

A coffee obsessive loses his beans over a coffee-hating tea-loving barista.

3 - The Northern Light

Presented by Regional Institute of Performing Arts

Written and Directed by Ruth Moriarty

Cast: Ethan Dale, Alexander Davison and Ryan Beazley

Three men in a boat off the remote coastline of Northern Scotland begin to ponder their existence.

4 - Snow

Presented by Regional Institute of Performing Arts

Written and Directed by Ethan Dale

Cast: Ruth Moriarty, Ryan Bates and Cooper McDonald 

A post-apocalyptic Christmas celebration involving 3 people, 2 bullets and 1 gun. 

5 - Stand-Off

Presented by Regional Institute of Performing Arts

Written and Directed by Ryan Bates

Cast: Connor Gibson, Harry Burns, Cooper McDonald and Ethan Dale 

A bag of money, a priest and guns – it’s not going to end well.

6 - Woman's Idea

Presented by The Performance Crew

Written and Directed by Wendy Crew

Cast: Alison Grace,  Amanda Lieber and Jesse McGoldrick

We get a look-in behind the scenes of the gossip magazine industry.

Wildcards Week Three Plays: January 28 & 29

Wildcards Week Three Results:

Judges Choice:

1st Exhuming the King

2nd Concerning the Romanovs

3rd Reindeer Afterlife

People's Choice:

1st Concerning the Romanovs

2nd But For the Grace of God

1 - But For the Grace of God

By Terence Bourke / Directed by Uma Kali Shakti

Cast: Mark Fowler and Marcus Rivera

Two very disparate men far from home, discover the truth about their differing realities.

2 - Concerning the Romanovs

Presented by Regional Institute of Performing Arts

Written and directed by Sam Lawrence

Cast: Alexander Davison, Cooper McDonald, Ruth Moriarty, Ethan Dale and Connor Gibson

A revolutionary black comedy with a right royal death toll

3 - Exhuming the King

Presented by Regional Institute of Performing Arts

Written and directed by Cooper McDonald

Cast: Ryan Beazley, Ethan Dale, Ryan Bates, Harry Burns

Three body snatchers attempt to rob Elvis Presley's grave.

4 - Interplanetary Communication

Presented by EverySecondWeekend

Written and directed by Simon Tonkin

Cast: Keith Conway and Rebecca Sayers

Our besotted couple had every intention of being open, honest and understanding with one another.

5 - Reindeer Afterlife

Written by Michael Panes / Directed by Simeon Yialeloglou

Damian Asher, Eveline Schubert and Simeon Yialeloglou

A Reindeer has to resolve some old wounds before deciding on reincarnating again as a human.

Wildcards Week Five: February 11 and 12 at 4pm

Week 5 Wildcards Results:

Judge's Choice:

1st: Last Swing

2nd: Bob & Mittens 

3rd: Voices From the Margins Project

People's Choice:

Bob & Mittens

1 - Bob & Mittens

Presented by Regional Institute of Performing Arts

Written & Directed by Jayden Gobbe-Mezzina

Bob and his long-term girlfriend have recently broken up. The couple’s cat Mittens has had enough of Bob moping around and tries to help Bob out of this slump.

Cast: Jayden Gobbe-Bezzina & Ryan Bates

2 - James Randi Debunks Pawpaw Tom

Written by Pete Malicki / Directed by Michael Gooley

Famous sceptic James Randi attempts to prove Pawpaw Tom’s miracle healing cream a fraud. But does he bite off more than he can chew?

Cast: Steve Marchant, Lynda Leavers & Michael Gooley

3 - Last Swing

Presented by Flutterby Productions

Written by Kazuyo Kitada / Directed by Uma Kali Shakti

How do you get over a broken heart? Watch as Jody and Rachel begin the process...

Cast: Kerry Foley & Claire Langsford

4 - Like Mother, Like Daughter

Written & Directed by Warren Glover

A mother and daughter find they have more in common than either of them bargained for.

Cast:Lynda Leavers & Marina Porokh

5 - Voices from the Margins Project

Written by Kylie Mulcahy / Directed by Felicity Burke

A "socially disadvantaged woman" is exposed in the media with interesting consequences.

Cast: Allie Margin & Ernst Nil

WIldcards Week 6 - Feb 18 & 19 at 4pm

Wildcards Week Six Winners:

Judge's Choice:

1st - Pinata

2nd - Subterranean Homesick Blues, Again 

3rd - The Fifth Stage

People's Choice:

1st - Pinata

2nd - Get a Life

Plays:

1 - The Fifth Stage

Written & Directed by Greg Eccleston

Manny & Elisabeth’s relationship ended a year ago; One of them has moved on, the other is still grieving.

Cast:Greg Eccleston, Sierra Phillips

2 - The Game

Written by Karen Granger / Directed by Ann Elbourne

The stakes are high as three friends resolve their romantic differences over a game of cards.

Cast: Clare Langsford, Alan Long & Sam Savage

3 - Get a Life

Written & Directed by Robert Ballinger

Two men literally bump into each other while playing Pokémon.  But are they who we think they are, and are they who they think they are? 

Cast: Josh Chao and Edric Hong

4 - Pinata

Presented by Grouch Productions

Written by Scott Mullen / Directed by Isaac Downey & Kathyrn Thomas

Two women try to keep themselves under control at a child's birthday party.

Cast: Nicole Smith, Jo Smith-Tietz and Kristi Williams.

5 - Subterranean Homesick Blues, Again

Written by Addie Fowler / Directed by Mark Fowler

A tour guide grows tired of a couple’s incessant bickering and decides to teach them a lesson.

Cast: Addie Fowler

6 - A View of Lake Como

Written & Directed by Michael Gooley

Two old friends consider the familiar scenery of their familiar lives. Cast: Erick Guanlao & Michael Gooley

Wildcards Week Seven - Feb 24 & 25 at 4pm

Wildcards Week Seven Results:

1st - Stephen's Last Night

2nd - Intermission

3rd - It's What Friends Do

People's Choice Winner:

Intermission

Plays:

1 - Intermission

Written & Directed by Sharlene Zeederberg

Momentarily suspended between life and death, Steve tries to work out what he really believes in.

Cast: Peter Condon, Elizabeth Routledge, Feras Shaheen & Rachell Dade

2 - It's What Friends Do

Written & Directed by Robert Ballinger

A father/husband, with Motor Neurone Disease, is visited by a childhood friend who helps him make a difficult decision. Cast: Edric Hong, Dean Nicholson & Christine Engleheart

3 - Queerachy

Written by Zoe Brinnard / Directed by Megan Shooter

Cast: Rebecca Abdel-Messih, Alana Birtles, Wayne Dawson & Zed Norrie

4 -Screen Killer

Written by Brett Simoen / Directed by Susan Geldart

One murder. Two murders. Three murders?  Things are getting careless both on and offscreen in the corridors of Follywood.

Cast: Josh Morel, Lynda Leavers, Bill Jordan, Susan Geldart, Paddy Seymour & Liz Coote

Stephen's Last Night Trevar Alan Chilver Trevar Alan Chilver trevar@shortandsweet.org Stephen’s slept with every woman in the building, except one. And there are a few men to cross off the list, too… Brendan Kelly, Felicity Knott & Katrin Praseli

5 - Stephen's Last Night

Written & Directed by Trevar Alan Chilver

Stephen’s slept with every woman in the building, except one. And there are a few men to cross off the list, too…

Cast: Brendan Kelly, Felicity Knott & Katrin Praseli

Wildcards Week Eight - March 4+5 at 4pm

Wildcards Week 8 Winners:

Judge's Choice:

1st - Small Talk

2nd - Car Talk

3rd - Fighting Mr Right

People's Choice:

Fighting Mr Right

The People's Choice play to make the finals is:

Woman's Idea

Plays:

1 - Car Talk

Written by Elaine Alexander / Directed by Alison Albany

An insecure accountant takes his status-seeking fiancee car shopping only to find that every car literally speaks to him, turning the search for the perfect car into the search for his true self Cast: Jessica Lowe, Andrew Gordon, Daniel Poole & Sandy Sharma

2 - De Bon De Constructed

Written by Michael Sams / Directed by Feng Qiu

Meet De Bon, a man reflecting on his artistic endeavours from a range of perspectives.

Cast: Feng Qiu

3 - Fighting Mr Right

Written by Barbara Lindsay / Directed by Jasper Musgrave

After a great first date, a young man finds out there are rules to follow to get to second base, or even a second date.

Cast: Alex Laundess and Jodie Mathews

4 - Heartless / Broken

Written & Directed by Georgia Rose Thompson

Cast: Georgia Rose Thompson

5 - Post Partum

Written by Marsha Roberts / Roz Hicks

Jenny has had it with being a stay-at-home mother; she corners her husband into switching roles and then proceeds to show him exactly what’s involved.

Cast: Jessica Lowe and Richard Woodhouse

6 - Small Talk

Written by David McGregor / Directed by Emma Caldwell

A recently engaged couple visit a counsellor in hopes of resolving the one problem in their relationship.

Cast: Shell McKenzie, Emma Medbury, Matt Osborn and Brenton Dine.

7 - 8 Months & 17 Days

Presented by Tunks Productions

Written & Directed by Wayne Tunks

For Jason and Rohan it was love … until it wasn't.

Cast: Philip D'Ambrosio, Alex Ewan & Jace Pickard

(Please note that as this play is presented by the Festival Director, it will not be eligible for voting)

As part of Short+Sweet Sydney 2017 and the Sydney Mardi Gras 2017

The best LGBTQI plays from the Short+Sweet 2017 Season

Curated by Wayne Tunks

Tues March 7 & Wed March 8 at 7.30pm

1 - Beard

Presented by Viridescent

Written by Erin Middleton and Robert Miniter / Directed by Lawrence Dooley

Cast: Erin Middleton and Robert Miniter

A classic tale of boy meets girl, with a not-so-classic twist

2 - Outback Mountain

By Peter Greenaway / Directed by Suz Mawer

Cast: David Bedelis, Anthony Thomas

A disillusioned Sydney boy takes his moped on an ill-advised outback adventure in search of the stockman of his dreams, and gets more than he bargained for…

3 - Dress Ups

Presented by Grinning Shark Productions

Written and Directed by Graham Yates

Cast: Garreth Cruikshank

We all like to play. But be careful which game you choose.

4 - 8 Months & 17 Days

Presented by Tunks Productions

Written and Directed by Wayne Tunks

Cast: Philip D'Ambrosio, Alex Ewan & jace Pickard

5 - A Dog Dreams

Written by Jeffrey Fischer-Smith / Directed by Jace Pickard

Mark has recently died but returns to tell his grieving partner Andy that the family dog is grieving just as much.

Cast; Jack Dawson & Richard Lund

6 - Queerachy

Written by Zoe Brinnard / Directed by Megan Shooter

Four people go out for a night of fun that turns into a search for what's right, wrong and everything in between.

Cast: Rebecca Abdel-Messih, Alana Birtles, Wayne Dawson & Zed Norrie

Each week our Festival Director will pick a play that thinks displayed excellence in writing, directing, acting and team work.

Those plays will have their own final on Thurs March 9 and Fri March 10 at 7.30pm

One play will be chosen to go to the Gala Final the following week.

The plays through so far:

Week 1: 

Beard

Presented by Viridescent

Written by Erin Middleton and Robert Miniter / Directed by Lawrence Dooley

Cast: Erin Middleton and Robert Miniter

A classic tale of boy meets girl, with a not-so-classic twist

Week 2:

T3 Trojan

Presented by Bare Bones Theatre Co.

Written and Directed by Judith Duncan

Cast: Karishma Mathur

In a near future dystopia where the justice system is in the hands of computers,one woman,alone and blindfolded must defend her life.

Week 3:

Attachment Theory

Devised by Gina Tay Limpus and Jamie Kendall / Directed by Jamie Kendall

Cast: Gina Tay Limpus, Jamie Kendall

A Physical Theatre piece that explores American Psychologist John Bowbly’s theory of relationship attachment

Week Four:

Arthur and Marilyn

Presented By Half Boy Company

Written By Jasper-Lee Lindsay / Directed by Danen Young

Cast: Meg Hyeronimus and Alec Ebert 

A fictitious recount of the night Arthur Miller and Marilyn Monroe met, where a moment alone together sparked an iconic relationship.

Week Five:

The Secret of Me

Presented by Almost Evkav

Written by Sonal Moore / Directed by Evangeline Moore

A spontaneous night of fun in an art gallery storeroom is interrupted when Sarah discovers a confronting piece from her past.

Cast: Jack Marsden & Alexandra Joyce

Week Six:

My Name is Lucinda

Presented by Backstage Pass

Written & Directed by Lisa Kelaher

As a child, Catherine took comfort in her grandmother's warm embrace and John Wayne westerns of daytime tv - problem is - she took it to a whole new level as an adult.

Cast: Margareta Moir

Week Seven: 

The Accident

Presented by Marko Mustac Productions

Written By Marko Mustac / Directed by Jenny Hope

A Black comedy about a dysfunctional couple in a long-term relationship who literally argue to death.

Cast: Marko Mustac & Lou Pollard

Week Eight:

Floss

Written by John Tilbrook / Directed by Addie Fowler

Hearts are full instead of cavities at this dentist’s, and secret loves are tested by a woman with wicked intentions.

Cast: Justine Matulewicz, Jasper Musgrave & Rachel Marley

Each week our audience will vote for a play to make the People's Choice Final.

Those plays will have their own final on Sat March 11 and Sun March 12 at 7.30pm

The winner at the end of this final will go to the Gala Final the following week.

The plays through so far:

Week 1: 

The Divide

Written and Directed by Nicola Quilter

Cast: Pearl Herbet and Emmanuel Spiropoulos

It's been 30 years since the UK split apart and you need a passport to get into the walled city of London

Week 2: 

George Brown Steps Out

By Gerry Greenland / Directed by Sonia Bible

Cast: Rob White and Graham Yates

George’s life is pretty ordinary until today;  now it’s going to change forever.

Week 3:

Moist

Presented by Grumpy Mandrake Theatre

By Seymour Nixen / Directed by Nathan Farrow

Sparkle, Frosty and Almond are two cupcakes and a muffin in a bakery who haven’t been eaten and times are desperate.

Week 4:

One Night Stan

Presented by Third Bite

Written by Adam Szudrich / Directed by Grant Wilson

Cast: Gina Cohen, Ally O'Brien and Emma Caldwell

After an extended hiatus, Stan’s been playing the dating game - but what is he after?

Week Five:

Yellow Means Caution

Written by Gregory Crafts / Directed by Victoria Lewis

Max comes home to find that his wife, Loretta, has painted every surface in their apartment bright yellow. Is it a bold style choice, or a sign that there's something amiss?

Cast: Emma Mylott & Andrew Wang

Week Six:

Freestyle Pawn Stars

Presented by e4 Productions

Written by Keegan Fisher, Jake Izzy, Julz Larson and Ziggy Tockuss / Directed by Dudley Levell

Freestyle Pawn Stars is a chess-themed, hip-hop infused, improvised play that celebrates rhythm, rhyme, riffs and freestyle rap.

Cast: Keegan Fisher, Jake Izzy, Julz Larson, Ziggy Tockuss and Mark Longhurst

Week Seven:

Mary Twist

Written & Directed by Mikayla Hatjinikitas

A young lady from the Victorian Era finds herself whisked away to a more desirable world.

Cast: Izzy Hanly, Damian Asher, Mark Herrison, Indiana Rubin-Tasic, Paris Galanos & Russell Kay

Week Eight:

Game of the Century

Presented by JAMS Productions

Written by Mark Longhurst / Directed by Steve Tait

A prequel to last year’s Short+Sweet play Match of the Century, Game of the Century integrates elements of rhythm, rhyme and spoken word in order to chronicle the extraordinary rise of chess player Bobby Fischer and pay tribute to one of the greatest games of chess ever played.

Cast: Manon Gunderson-Briggs, Heath Jelovic, Mark Longhurst, Chris Tomkinson & Andrew Wang

Each week our industry professionals will choose a play to make the Wildcards Final.

Those plays will have their own final on Sat March 11 and Sun March 12 at 4pm

A people's choice play and a Festival Director's Choice will also make the final.

The winner at the end of this final will go to the Gala Final the following week.

The plays through so far:

First Selection: 

The Christmas Fairy

Written by Adele Lewin & Nigel Palfreman / Directed by Adele Lewin

Cast: Adele Lewin

Will Crystal fulfill her raison d'etre this Christmas or once again be thwarted by a younger rival.

Second Selection:

Exhuming the King

Presented by Regional Institute of Performing Arts

Written and directed by Cooper McDonald

Cast: Ryan Beazley, Ethan Dale, Ryan Bates, Harry Burns

Three body snatchers attempt to rob Elvis Presley's grave.

Third Selection:

Last Swing

Presented by Flutterby Productions

Written by Kazuyo Kitada / Directed by Uma Kali Shakti

How do you get over a broken heart? Watch as Jody and Rachel begin the process...

Cast: Kerry Foley & Claire Langsford

Fourth Selection:

Pinata

Presented by Grouch Productions

Written by Scott Mullen / Directed by Isaac Downey & Kathyrn Thomas

Two women try to keep themselves under control at a child's birthday party.

Cast: Nicole Smith, Jo Smith-Tietz and Kristi Williams.

Fifth Selection:

Stephen's Last Night

Written & Directed by Trevar Alan Chilver

Stephen’s slept with every woman in the building, except one. And there are a few men to cross off the list, too…

Cast: Brendan Kelly, Felicity Knott & Katrin Praseli

Sixth Selection:

Small Talk

Written by David McGregor / Directed by Emma Caldwell

A recently engaged couple visit a counsellor in hopes of resolving the one problem in their relationship.

Cast: Shell McKenzie, Emma Medbury, Matt Osborn and Brenton Dine.

People's Choice Winner:

Woman's Idea

Presented by The Performance Crew

Written and Directed by Wendy Crew

Cast: Alison Grace, Amanda Lieber and Jesse McGoldrick

We get a look-in behind the scenes of the gossip magazine industry.

Over three nights our winning plays will again compete to crown the major winners of Short+Sweet Sydney 2017.

The shows will take place on Thursday March 16, Friday March 17 and Saturday March 18, with prizes given out that Saturday night.

There will be the 8 weekly Top winners, the People's Choice Winner, the Festival Director's Choice and the Wildcard's Winner.

In the final so far:

Week One:

Dead Giveaway

By Daniel Guyton / Directed by Felicity Burke

Cast: Duncan Armitage and Felicity Burke

Robert buys his wife an unconventional gift for Valentine's Day, which leads to an awkward conversation about love after death.

Week Two:

Dress Ups

Presented by Grinning Sharks Productions

Written and Directed by Graham Yates

Cast: Garreth Cruikshank

We all like to play. But be careful which game you choose.

Week Three:

Painting Seventeen

Written by Sharon Cooper / Directed by Alexander Andrews

Cast: Lauren Lloyd Williams and Eleanore Knox

An artist's self portrait reveals more than whats on the canvas.

Week Four:

Tapping Out

Written by Maura Pierlot / Directed by Cecile Payet

Cast: Kaiya Bartholomew, Brayden Harry, Ethan Mestroni and Anton Smilek

Trapped in his psyche, a young man drawn to rhythm, rather than words, taps his feelings for the woman he loves in a desperate bid to ward off reality.

Week Five:

A Dog Dreams

Written by Jeffrey Fischer-Smith / Directed by Jace Pickard

Mark has recently died but returns to tell his grieving partner Andy that the family dog is grieving just as much.

Cast; Jack Dawson & Richard Lund

Week Six:

Out of the Woods

Presented by Everyday Monster

Written & Directed by Brenton Amies & Cam Ralph

The story of two former Children’s TV Hosts reuniting after a turbulent few years. A dark comedy featuring a fluffy bear!

Cast: Brenton Amies & Cam Ralph

Week Seven:

Time Squad

Presented by Black Box Theatre Co.

Written by Alexander Cuff / Directed by Luke Berman

In the Time Squad, agents are taught to avoid distorting the natural flow of the space-time continuum. So, what happens when two of the top Time Cops break that rule? Or... will break that rule?

Cast: Bradley Ward, Alex Groombridge, Sam Sweeting & Sam Lovell

Week Eight:

One Punch

Presented by Ranting Mime

Written & Directed by Jessica Fallico

A mum and dad process the news of their son dying in a one-punch attack.

Cast: Jacinta Moses & Anthony Thomas

2017 Winners:

Best Production:

1st - Out of the Woods

2nd - One Night Stan

3rd - Tapping Out

People's Choice Award:

One Night Stan

Best Play / Script:

Jasper Lee-Lindsay - Arthur & Marilyn

Best Director:

Cecile payet - Tapping Out

The Kerry Casey Best Actor Award:

Alec Ebert - Arthur & Marilyn

Best Actress:

Meg Hyeronimus - Arthur & Marilyn

Best New Talent:

Addie Fowler - Floss

Best Poster:

Out of the Woods