Lynn Belvedere

SHORT AND SWEET THEATRE – 2024 SYDNEY WEEK SEVEN @ TURNER HALL THEATRE

SHORT AND SWEET SYDNEY THEATRE FESTIVAL – 2024 WEEK SEVEN @ TURNER HALL THEATRE

S+S SYDNEY 2024 Heat #7

Thursday 4th April 2024 until Saturday 6th April 2024.

The world’s biggest short play festival is back in Sydney.

SHORT AND SWEET Sydney 2024 aims to focus on new and unique ideas to drive the eight week season, and are all brought vividly to life, with an added emphasis on spotlighting the individual writers behind their extraordinary works, and also their process. Stylish theatricality galore, Character relationships, bewildering intrigue, together with magical story-telling.

Huge range of clever new works brought to the forefront, and including this week – AI, Weddings, Revenge, Young Love, Robots. Of course there are the plays that are sharp comedies, existential dramas, Character studies and family dynamics, surreal horror, poetry, musical, political and inspirational narratives, adventure, mystery and some rather brilliant deductions required.

Short+Sweet 2024 is a celebration of play writing, plus the creation of original theatre.

Over 70 plays are featured in the span of just eight weeks, and all are competing for a spot in the Gala Finals, where we award the best of the best.

Prizes are awarded weekly (following after our 7:30pm Saturday performance), with dedicated programs to spotlight, some of the brightest creatives in the community, and a brand new award category for those original works, that have a truly unique concept.

WEEK seven PROGRAM

Thursday 4th April 2024 until Saturday 6th April 2024

1 THE ANONYMOUS MS.J.
Written by Balarka Banerjee (Sydney)
Directed by Aidan O’Donnell (Sydney)
STARRING – Georgia O’Brien (Harper Black), Bronte Price (Joan Birch), Mat Oldaker (Timothy O’Brien), Harlee Timms (Chris Mason), Rachel Joseph (Linda Forster)
Candidate for prime minister, is accused of a historical sexual assault. Dialogue intensive drama, is currently topical, beautifully cast, and very cleverly constructed. Reminded of Bruce Lehrmann, the “smartest” non-lawyer in the room, especially with Bruce Lehrmann deciding to shoot himself in both feet/ knees/ elbows etc. The fulfilment of “Winning The Battlefield”, but losing the war.

2 SYNTHETIC
Written and directed by SR Larkman (North Bondi, NSW)
ITC = Synthetic Stories Theatre
STARRING – Jessica Tremblay (ZOE) and David Eisenhauer (BOB) and Scarlett Brukmann (Sarah)
Drama whilst testing the new and experimental AI fourth generation robot, a very synthetic human. Audience drama favourite, at the opening night performance.

3 THE READING OF THE WILL
Written by Amanda Lay (Balmoral QLD)
Directed by Debbie Kearns (Marrickville NSW)
STARRING – Christopher Pali (Mr Darling) and Danielle Stein (Alison Swanson) and Craig Roberts (Doug Bradshaw)
Solicitor, Mr Darling, is reading the quite weird, last will of Alison’s late grandmother, Margaret. Her husband hated Margaret, and he provides wonderful comedy dialogue, as he confesses all his very hateful life experiences with in-law Margaret. Audience comedy favourite, at the opening night performance.

4 FOUR BEATS TO A BAR
Written and directed by Lisa Kelaher (Dulwich Hill NSW)
ITC = Backstage Pass
STARRING – Neil Modra (Sam)
Set in 1958, jazz musician, Sam will play his trumpet solo with the visiting London Symphony Orchestra. Very very entertaining performance, this short story monologue, about his two man band, is delivered in multiple voices.

5 GROWING PAINS
Written by Chantal Harrison (Sydney NSW)
Directed by James Pantelis and Gemma Russell
Assistant Director = Jasmin Shojai (Melbourne VIC)
STARRING – James Pantelis (Buzz) and Gemma Russell (Mika)
Storytelling drama about youthful queer love, developing your identity and finding acceptance.

6 ENTWINED
Written by W
Directed by Wilfred Roach (Sydney NSW)
STARRING – Lorraine Francis (Odette) and Emily Aitken (Layla) and Jonathon Nicola (Matt)
Drama with a family secret revealed. Arabic language swearing during a Lebanese funeral, experience grief with three generations of women.

INTERVAL of 15 MINUTES

7 DREAM WEDDING
Written by Madeline Oliver (Marrickville) and Kyle Thompson (Ashfield)
Directed by Ursula Dauenhauer (Erskineville)
ITC = Fruitcake Entertainment
STARRING – Stephanie Latin (Isobel) and Garreth Cruikshank (Sebastian)
Delightful character study comedy. Power of fate, versus the power of destiny. At only sixteen, Isobel is receiving shrink therapy, because she is a delusional teen influencer, who imagines that she is a famous teen influencer.

8 THE LAST CUPPA
Written and directed by Allan West (Wetherill Park, NSW)
STARRING – Simon Doctor (Stan) and Melissa Paris (Ethel) and Jozie Robinson (Vicky)
Stage and screen writer Allan West, directs his own latest play. Married forty years and with three children, 43rd wedding anniversary over a nice cup of tea. Drama with victim versus perpetrator. Stan and Ethel have selective remembering, but dad only has memories belonging to his wife.

9 BOTTLE FOR A SPECIAL OCCASION
Written by William Kovacsik (USA)
Directed by David Brown (Fairlight NSW)
STARRING – Sharni Joan (Judith) David Thomas (Martin)
Bittersweet power, is the fulcrum of drama. Bottle to be buried with her dead husband. Wine Store Clerk recommending his best of the best Bordeaux red wine, versus his worst wine. Her grieving and her resolution, by the active intervention of the Wine Store Clerk.

10 JUMP
Written by Suzy Wilds (Sydney, NSW)
Directed by Josefin Glaadh (Sydney, NSW)
STARRING – Elle Dawe (Alice) and Jaro Murany (The Man) and Harlee Timms (David)
Encirclements, and triangle relationships. Alice’s son was killed. Revenge drama, with the victim and the perpetrator, set ten years later. Confess the crime, and them choose to jump or murdered.

11 PRICK
Written by Gina Cohen (Sydney, NSW)
Directed by Jeremy Godwin (Sydney, NSW)
STARRING – Gina Cohen (Anne) and Jeremy Godwin (Rick)
Having escaped the lions’ den, he made the mistake of going back, to the funeral of his victim. Storytelling comedy, Anne is at her husband’s funeral, plus discovering the truth about why her husband is dead. Power of fate, versus the power of destiny.

EXPECT – Some plays may contain “crude indecent” adult themes, adult concepts, and strong highly offensive profanities, offensive/coarse language, swearing + curses, and offensive foul material/themes, moderate alcohol usage, and issues relating to trauma. Recommended only for persons over the age of 18.

Pix by Luke Berman.

SHORT+SWEET SYDNEY 2024 –
WEEK 7 RESULTS are –

JUDGES CHOICE –
1st Place PRICK
=2nd Place THE ANONYNOUS MS.J.
=2nd Place BOTTLE FOR A SPECIAL OCCASION
PRICK advances directly to the Gala Final as the winner of the judges vote.

PEOPLES CHOICE –
1st Place FOUR BEATS TO A BAR
2nd Place SYNTHETIC
3rd Place PRICK
FOUR BEATS TO A BAR advances to the Peoples Choice Showcase.

CREW CUT –
“THE LAST CUPPA” advances to the Crew Cut Semi-Final

WILDCARD FINALISTS –
“THE ANONYNOUS MS.J.” and “BOTTLE FOR A SPECIAL OCCASION” advance to the Wildcard Final as the highest ranked runner up in judges vote. Both have advanced, as they were tied on judges points.

WEEK 8 is –
18-21 APR 2024
SEMI-FINALS are –
PEOPLES CHOICE SHOWCASE –
27 and 28 APR 2024
CREW CUT FINAL –
26 and 28 APR 2024
WILDCARD FINAL –
25 and 27 APR 2024
GALA FINAL –
3 and 4 and 5 MAY 2024

SHORT AND SWEET THEATRE – 2024 SYDNEY WEEK SEVEN @ TURNER HALL THEATRE

Thursday 4th April 2024 until Saturday 6th April 2024

SHORT + SWEET ‘The Biggest Little Festival in the World!’

TICKETS – https://www.tickettailor.com/events/shortsweetsydney/

WEBSITE – https://shortandsweet.org/festivals/shortsweet-sydney-theatre-festival-2024

FACEBOOK – https://www.facebook.com/shortsweetsydney/

INSTAGRAM – https://www.instagram.com/shortsweetfest/

PROGRAMME – https://sydneyartsguide.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WEEK-7-SHORT-SWEET-SYDNEY-2024-PROGRAMME.pdf

This festival is proudly partnered with TAFE NSW

Photography/Filming is not permitted during performances

Multiple dates and times.
WHEN
Thursday 15th February 2024 until Sunday 5th May 2024
WHERE
TAFE building B – Northern Entrance – location is upstairs B1.04.HALL
Turner Hall
19 Mary Ann Street, Ultimo, NSW 2007
Near to the corner of Harris Street

SYDNEY NSW Australia

HANDICAPPED ACCESS and LIFT available – from the rear entrance on the Ground Floor – at the Southern Entrance to the building.

SYDNEY BUSES 501 from RAILWAY SQUARE, to Harris Street Bus Stop.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Published by Lynn Belvedere

Once we were old enough, my parents took the whole family to the Sydney CBD cinemas every week. Thus began a lifetime interest, in going to the cinema every week, and became a passionate cinephile by watching all those very heavily edited ''Australian Film Censorship Board'' true cinéaste versions of brand new release ''Cinematograph Films''. Greater Union always gave my father (who worked in Cinema Distribution Exhibition) guest double movie passes, to every first-night ''red carpet Opening Night'' at The State Theatre Cinema at 49 Market Street. Up until his death, my dad always received ''two house seats'' for every Opening Night performance events at the Theatre Royal SYDNEY and at Her Majesty's Theatre SYDNEY. As a child, when mum choose not to go, I often went with him, to those live performance events. As a young child, I remember being taken for each new show, at both The New Theatre at 60 Sussex Street, and the Phillip Street Theatre when located at 150 Elizabeth Street, and for classical music concerts at Sydney Town Hall. = = = ★★★★★ = = = Being happy is a choice, and I have always viewed my life, as material ready be made into a series of amazing tentpole movies. My New Years Resolution is kept every year: ''Get to see/review five new live theatre shows each week, and get to see/review six new cinema movies each week'', plus is one of the Australian Cinema Pioneers, and apparently have seen far too much already, but always wanting to experience more and more each year. I am also able to do almost everything that I enjoy doing. Yes, I do have a great daytime job in I.T. as ''Software Design Project Manager'', PLUS each evening until quite late - - - Australian Cinematograph Films historical censorship consultant - product-placement consultant - mystery-shopper consultant - playwright, writer, author, director, producer, photographer, cinematographer, color-grader, subtitles proofreader - arts/ drama/ music/ film critic and judge, journalist, member FIPRESCI & FCCA & AFCA, member AACTA accredited film reviewer-critic-writer, accredited IMDB.COM critic-reviewer-author, projectionist, plus an innovative iconoclast - - - ★★★★★ LYNN BELVEDERE ★★★★★ - - - [usr 5] - - -