Bronwyn Fullerton

SHORT AND SWEET 2013 WEEK 3

Short and Sweet regular Steve McGrath shines again. Pic Sylvi Soe

Week 3 of “Short & Sweet” – ‘The biggest little play festival in the world’ – opened last night at the King St. Theatre in Newtown to a full house.

There was an eclectic mix of eleven wonderful ideas condensed into the 10 minute time slot. These short plays would most often not adapt to the 90 minute format, but that is the beauty and charm of this festival. It is a wonderful vehicle for writers, both professional and novice, to see their work on stage. Likewise, actors and directors, lighting and sound crew can hone their skills without committing to long rehearsal periods.

One very impressive play, “People Strings”, is without words.

Performed with razor sharp precision by Hilary Park (Fate), Sam Davies (Male) and Jo Ford (Female), it has the effect of a stop motion film. Fate controls the couple by use of elastic attached to their clothes and quirky sound effects. Jo Ford also wrote and directed this visually beautiful piece.

“The Man Who Knew Poe” is a masterful monologue, written and performed with great style and vigour by Steve McGrath, directed by Gerry Sont. His character ‘bares his soul to the shadows that flicker upon the wall’. Done in the style and era of Edgar Allan Poe, it is funny, mercurial and wonderfully dark.

“Spit for Tat”, written by Alex Dremann and directed by Joanne Wright, is performed with passion and great skill by Caroline Simone-O’Brien and Chris Palframan. A special exploration into one couple’s idea of foreplay.

“Kill Me Please”, written by Rhea MacCallum and directed by Lex Marinos, is a clever and funny play. Gloria (Florence Kermet) sits alone in a park and waits with great expectation for serial killer Stan (Shaun Martindale). The resulting confrontation takes Stan by surprise.

“King Street Lights”, written and directed by David Bulmer, a black comedy about hit and run/homelessness, was performed with great energy and humour by Alison Richardson and Gerard O’Dwyer. Gerard is the only actor with down syndrome performing on stage in Sydney.

The other plays are worthy and also have great storylines, unfortunately they can’t all be featured.

Just briefly…“Leaving You Lorna” is a bitterly funny monologue written and performed by Emily Ward about a desperate housewife…“While You Were Sleeping” examines the disastrous possibilities of texting; and “The Next Mrs Anderson”, features a confrontation between Mrs Anderson and the new Mrs Anderson to be.

We also get to meet Dracula, a Zombie boyfriend and Groucho Marx.

There are still five more weeks of the very entertaining Short and Sweet Festival to go. Well worth visiting!

© Bronwyn Fullerton

24th January, 2013

Tags: Sydney Theatre Reviews- Short and Sweet Week 3, Hilary Park, Sam Davis, Jo Ford, Alex Dremann, Joanne Wright, Caroline Simone-O’Brien, Chris Palframan, Steve McGrath, Gerry Sont, Rhea MacCallum, Lex Marinos, Florence Kermet, Shaun Martindale, David Bulmer, Alison Richardson, Gerard O’Dwyer, Emily Ward, Sydney Arts Guide, Bronwyn Fullerton.

Published by Bronwyn Fullerton

Bronwyn Fullerton worked as an actress and singer for over 20 years after training with Hayes Gordon at The Ensemble Theatre Studios in Sydney in the 70s. She has worked for The Ensemble Theatre, Stables Theatre, Griffin Theatre Company, Sydney Opera House, Sydney Festival, Theatre-in-Education touring, Rocks Theatre at The Sailor’s Home, Balmain Loft, North Coast Theatre Co., Giniby Theatre Co., Bondi Pavilion Theatre and two years with the Marionette Theatre of Australia, including a tour from Alice Springs to Arnhem Land. As well as Film and Television (Chopper Squad) and Voice Overs, Bronwyn worked for the Gate Theatre Club in London and studied mime in Paris. She now teaches ESL English to foreign students and completed a Post-Grad in Film & Video at UTS in 2009/10.