Home >> Festivals >> Short+Sweet Theatre Sydney 2017
When
Wednesday, January 11, 2017 to Sunday, March 19, 2017
Where
The Depot Theatre
142 Addison Rd
Marrickville NSW 2204
Australia
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Short+Sweet Theatre Sydney 2017

Welcome to Short+Sweet - the largest short play festival in the world. Each week is a totally different program featuring new writers, directors and a totally new cast. This year we're presenting 160+ plays over eight weeks from Jan 11 at the Depot Theatre. You’ll see the best new writing from Australia and around the world! So no need to cry, tickets are now on sale for Short+Sweet Sydney 2017! Get booking here.

 
     
 

The world famous Stella Adler Academy is coming to Sydney for the first time... read more

This festival doesn't have any active submission

Our Team

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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 Plays

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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)


Short+Sweet Queer

  1. 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


Festival Director's Final

  1. 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


People's Choice Final

  1. 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


Wildcards Final

  1. 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.


Gala Finals

  1.  


    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 Sydney Winners

  1. 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