Short+Sweet Sydney – the world’s largest short play festival – has reached the dramatic semifinal stage, with 24 x ten-minute pieces set to face off, Set One then Set Two, with both available during the week of 1-4 May 2025. Everything takes place, 7pm Thursday until Sunday; plus 2pm Saturday and 2pm Sunday, at Turner Hall, Ultimo. At stake is getting the coveted spot in the Theatre Festival, to perform at the prestigious Short+Sweet Sydney Gala Finals, during the week of 16-18 May 2025. Highly Recommended. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Selected from the eight weeks of heats – among the favourites are two sets of “Twelve superb short pieces” – each chosen by either the crew, audience or industry judges – and will each have three more performances. Some are themed, including youth, LGBTQI+, Shakespeare-inspired, more drama with interrupted romance, plus comedy hilarity aplenty. All have their own unique style and unique story. The only common rule, is that they must not run for more than ten minutes. As always with Short+Sweet, there is something for every taste, as the best of the best, all speed towards the brilliant climax.
Book to secure your place at Sydney’s most dynamic celebration of short-form theatre. Thurs-Sun performances 7pm plus Sat and Sun 2pm at Turner Hall, 19 Mary Ann Street, Ultimo, (near Harris St corner).
| 2025 GALA FINALS | TIX ON SALE NOW |
| MAY 16 – 17 | 7PM | TURNER HALL |
Bookings and information: https://buytickets.at/shortsweetsydney
Short+Sweet Semifinals 2025 –
PROGRAM TWO of TWO –
THE SECOND SET of TWELVE PLAYS –
(1) BRIDE TO BE
Written and directed by Debbie Westaway
ITC = ONE CARRIAGE PRODUCTIONS
STARRING – Debbie Westaway and Philip Martin
“HEAT 6 PEOPLE’S CHOICE”
Comedy – Storytelling – monologue – Planning the perfect wedding on a not-so-perfect budget. Dreams Meet Dilemmas.
(2) CHANGING BUSES
Written by Katrina Samaras
Directed by Colleen Willis
STARRING – Karys Kennedy, Rhiannon Jean and Max Shaw
“HEAT 3 (YOUTH WEEK) CREW CUT CHOICE”
Comedy – Can a surprising encounter with a famous historical figure, lead our heroine to a change of heart?
(3) A FIRST-DRAFT SECOND-RATE LOVE STORY
Written by John Busser
Directed by PJ Collins
STARRING – Nicholas Gledhill, Kate Mills, Manny Katts, PJ Collins and Anna Buckley
“HEAT 4 PEOPLE’S CHOICE”
Comedy – Will our lovers (one handed stevedore John and multiple named ingenue Vivian/Miriam/Marian) find the love that’s eluded them for so long, or will Vivian’s shocking past prove too much? Stay tuned for another exciting updated draft which may or may not answer those questions.
(4) THE PIGEON
Written by Karen Siff Exkorn
Directed by Annie Geissler
STARRING – Piper Farrell
“HEAT 5 PEOPLE’S CHOICE”
Comedy – A woman in search of saving her marriage finds herself inspired by a pigeon on the sidewalk of New York City.
(5) THE EXAM SUPERVISORS
Written and directed by Carlin Hurdis
STARRING – Stu Dowling, Philip Martin, Jane Thorpe, Thea Grace Ward, Alex Free and Charlie White
“HEAT 6 CREW CUT CHOICE”
Comedy – The exam supervisors at a high-school exam push the line of impartiality as they encourage their favourite students.
(6) A VERY ROMANTIC PROPOSAL
Written by Bruce Olive
Directed by Caroline L. George
STARRING – Imogen Trevillion, Xarve Buchholz, Lois Oh, Alison Brooker and Blake Nicholas
“HEAT 2 (PRIDE WEEK) PEOPLE’S CHOICE”
Comedy – At the local Italian restaurant, Julia is desperate for Randall to pop the question…
15 MINUTE INTERVAL
(7) ALAN HAS LEFT THE CHAT
Written by Nicky Denovan
Directed by Oliver Harcourt-Ham
STARRING – Sora Wakaki, Simon Pearce and Angelo Morton
“HEAT 4 JUDGES’ CHOICE”
Comedy – Stuart’s career is heading in the right direction, but a shocking revelation by boss Alan sparks a chain of events that could change the course of destiny for everyone.
(8) ALAS POOR MUMMY
Written by William Duke
Directed by Bianca Watkins
STARRING – Victor Y Z Xu, Jake Walker and Caitlin Green
“HEAT 7 (SHAKESPEARE WEEK) PEOPLE’S CHOICE”
Comedy – He’s a veteran of the stage, a deranged mummy’s boy, and a little too obsessed with the castle guards – Prince Hamlet as you’ve never seen him before.
(9) SHAKESPEARE UPON TINDER
Written by Fran Bowick
Directed by David Berry
STARRING – Chris Argirousis, Olivia Bartha and David Berry
“HEAT 7 (SHAKESPEARE WEEK) WILD CARD CHOICE”
Comedy – The course of true love never did run smooth…
(10) WHEEL OF FORTUNE REVERSE
Written by Scott Sickles
Directed by Henry Lopez Lopez
STARRING – Max Shaw and Lara Heath
“HEAT 3 (YOUTH WEEK) JUDGES’ CHOICE”
Comedy – Death has come for Michael but Michael has a bucket list that only the Grim Reaper can fulfil.
(11) LUST VEGAS
Written by Ken Levine
Directed by David Meadows
STARRING – David Meadows and Justine Scali
“HEAT 8 JUDGES’ CHOICE”
Comedy – What happens in Vegas…
(12) STAMP, STOP, STEP
Written and directed by Frank Leggett
ITC = AMPULLAE OF LORENZINI
STARRING – Debbie Westaway
“HEAT 1 PEOPLE’S CHOICE”
Comedy – Storytelling – monologue – All singing. All dancing. All or nothing.
EXPECT – Some plays may contain “crude indecent” adult themes, and strong highly offensive profanities, offensive/coarse language, offensive foul material/themes, moderate alcohol usage, and issues relating to trauma. Recommended only for persons over the age of 18.
Production photography by Simon Pearce.
SHORT AND SWEET THEATRE 2025 – SYDNEY WEEK TEN @ TURNER HALL THEATRE – – –
– Thursday 1st May 2025 until Sunday 4th May 2025 –
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-2025
FACEBOOK – https://www.facebook.com/shortsweetsydney/
INSTAGRAM – https://www.instagram.com/shortsweetfest/
PROGRAMME – https://sydneyartsguide.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/WEEK-10-SHORT-SWEET-SYDNEY-2025-PROGRAMME.pdf
This festival is proudly partnered with TAFE NSW
Multiple dates and times.
WHEN
Festival starts from – Thursday 13th February 2025 to Sunday 18th May 2025
WHERE
TAFE building B – 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 at the ground floor – rear entrance to the building.
SYDNEY BUSES 501 from RAILWAY SQUARE, to Harris Street Bus Stop.
The festival’s dynamic season continues with dedicated programs showcasing emerging talent, during the spectacular Cabaret Week (( 5-8 May 2025 )), featuring an array of singers, dancers, and multidisciplinary artists.
The season culminates in the highly anticipated Gala Finals (( 16+17 May 2025 )), where the festival’s most outstanding performances compete for top honours.
BOOKINGS AND INFORMATION – https://buytickets.at/shortsweetsydney
Short+Sweet is sponsored by The Look: Theatrical Drape Hire and Installations Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and beyond. https://www.thelook-sydney.com/
