Another tasty smorgasbord of stimulating ten minute plays is on offer at Short & Sweet. The Festival, now in its fourth week, is showcasing some very moving pieces.
“The Sum of our Experience”, written by Trace Crawford and hauntingly directed by Nir Shelter, is a powerful piece with skilful performances. A businessman (Paul Wilson), whilst hailing a taxi, is interrupted by a tragic tramp, a thief of life stories. The businessman is tortured and unhinged by his memories with sad consequences.
“A Different Client” was written by Josh Hartwell and directed by Paul Bugeja. The client, (played sensitively by Roberto Zenca), arrives at the home of Marshall, (played with depth and conviction by Greg Wilkin). Marshall is demanding honest answers and puts mounting pressure on the client, which results in an interesting act of compassion at the end.
“A Chip Off The Old Block” is another great play full of dark mystery, written by Graham Brown and imaginatively directed by Gila Joy Roberts. Sculptor, (Lisa Fletcher) does a riveting monologue – a sensuous mix of the language of sculpture and the dark memories of her mother. This is offset by the clever and fluid movement montage of Stone, her sculptures, played by Ioanna Panagiotopoulos with wonderful clay body paint. The conclusion is quite startling.
Other plays were an intriguing mixture of comedy, sci-fi and fantasy, which must be mentioned as well;
“Hide” is a black comedy full of tension and evil. Heidi (Laura Holmes) arrives at the door of Clyde (Chris Miller) to seek help only to be intimated and threatened by his unusual behaviour. The game playing begins and we are thrown into confusion. The actors work off each other with contagious exuberance.
“A Lawyer’s Fantasy” is a clever confrontation between a ‘shady’ lawyer (David Roberts), his ex-client with evil intent, and his secretary with attitude (Billie-Rose Crane and Veronica Barac). This is a very funny play, well acted and with a wonderful twist at the end.
“The Commuter”, cleverly written by Trevar Chilver and directed with energy and humour by Luke Berman, involves a chance meeting between a commuter on his way home, a mysterious young boy, his mother and an annoying American tourist. The commuter (played with warm honesty by Adam O’Brien) confides wholeheartedly in the audience about his conflicting thoughts, fears and racism, whilst juggling with his intruders, the lost young boy (played by the talented Nik Nikitenko), and the funny, camera hugging tourist (played hilariously by Geoff Sirmai).
“Jilted” is a wonderful idea and scripted very well by Kerrie Spicer, directed by Felix Carlyle. Garth (Sam Smith) is chained to a street pole, left only in his Calvin Klein jocks. Will Cassandra (Sarah Knowles) save him? Great acting and very funny.
“It’s The Quiet Ones You Have to Watch Out For” is a great fantasy about Department Store Dummies in their spare time, written by Chris Sims, played beautifully by Karina Bracken, Jeffrey Hampson and Courtney Powell.
“Conversation At A Urinal”, written by Darren Menachemson, is a quirky and funny sci-fi futuristic romp at the office urinal, with Brian Teo and Adam Pedicini.
“Lunch Bites in the Desert”, by Con Nats – is a well acted and funny play. Bugs Bunny comes alive on the set of Coyote and the Road Runner, with Alastair Buchanan and Matthew Rose.
Short & Sweet seems to get better each week and it’s only half way through. Well worth a visit.
Bronwyn Fullerton 1/2/13
Tags: Short & Sweet, Geoff Sirmai, Adam O’Brien