SHORT AND SWEET THEATRE 2025 – SYDNEY WEEK TWO @ TURNER HALL THEATRE
S+S SYDNEY 2025 Heat #2
PRIDE WEEK
The world’s biggest short play festival is back in Sydney.
Short+Sweet 2025 is a celebration of play writing, plus the creation of original theatre.
Festival starts from – Thursday 13th February 2025 to Sunday 18th May 2025
Over 70 plays feature in the span of just eight weeks, all are competing for a spot in the Gala Finals, where we award the best of the best.
Each evening from 7pm, audiences will experience an eclectic mix of brand new Australian works, and THIS WEEK including a marriage proposal that takes an unexpectedly hilarious turn, two quite compelling family dramas from Northern Beaches Youth Theatre, the extraordinary true tale of Chopin’s heart’s journey from Paris to Warsaw, and a very touching romance that unfolds at a high school sound/lighting desk.
Full range of brand new works brought to the forefront, sharp comedies, existential dramas, surreal horror, poetry, musical, political and inspirational narratives, drive the eight week season.
WEEK two PROGRAM
PRIDE WEEK
Thursday 20th February 2025 until Sunday 23rd February 2025
1. WHAT IF THE 12 APOSTLES WERE GAY?
Written and directed by Vincent Andriano
ITC = Brenda Productions
STARRING Vincent Andriano
Dramedy – biblical short story monologue, the clever storytelling, all delivered in one voice, yes iff THE 12 APOSTLES WERE GAY. Audience dramedy favourite, at the opening night performance.
2. THANK YOU, TWO
Written by John Minigan
Directed by Alice Minnock
STARRING Sydney Manners and Alice Minnock
Behind the scenes romance, on a theatre stage, first love between the two, working on the sound/lighting desk.
3. WOULD YOU RATHER?
Written and directed by Chantal Harrison
Assistant directed by Ella Herdman
ITC = Northern Beaches Youth Theatre
STARRING Chantal Harrison, Victoria E. Lockhart, Vanessa Rowe, Luka Valk, Ella Herdman, Amelie Campbell-Brown, Mahlia Harrison
Comedy – Julia and her daughter Taylor connect with their new neighbours, via answering the simultaneous verbal games.
4. HE’S THINKING
Written and directed by Vincent Andriano
ITC = Brenda Productions
STARRING Raymond Padora and Travis Howard
Drama – The fast breakup, play-by-play, as we hear their thoughts, that do not match their spoken words.
5. DANCING AT 3AM
Written by Fiona Leonard
Directed by Kyra Belford-Thomas and Kate Stewart
Drama – Two women dancing, bond over a cup of flour, a bottle of tequila.
15 MINUTE INTERVAL
6. WHO EVEN AM I?
Written and directed by Chantal Harrison
ITC = Northern Beaches Youth Theatre
STARRING Vanessa Rowe and Ella Herdman
Drama – Exploring a mother/daughter relationship, their individual lives, and their daily dating challenges.
7. CHOPIN’S HEART
Written and directed by Fiona Leonard
ITC = Blue Goat Theatre
STARRING Willa King
Storytelling – delightful but intensive, short story monologue, all in one voice. After Frederik Chopin’s death, his sister Ludwika makes plans to smuggle Chopin’s heart, from Paris to Warsaw.
8. A RUBY IN A SKY OF DIAMONDS
Written by Christopher Plumridge
Directed by Sydney Manners
STARRING Sydney Manners and Alice Minnock
Drama – Storytelling friendly strangers, bringing relief from grief, with a twist.
9. FATHER, SON
Written by Jeff Locker
Directed by Jonathan Solomon
STARRING Ross Newton and Bernard Woodcock
Drama – hospital waiting room, two strangers storytelling, all about their fathers.
10. A VERY ROMANTIC PROPOSAL
Written by Bruce Olive
Directed by Caroline L. George
STARRING Imogen Trevillion, Lois Oh, Alison Brooker, Blake Nicholas and Xarve Buchholz
Comedy – Special occasion continually interrupted, the long awaited restaurant marriage proposal, but with a twist. Audience comedy favourite, at the opening night performance.
Musical Interlude, After The Interval – hosted by XAN HARDMAN –
Xan Hardman is a queer designer and artist from Sydney’s Inner West (by way of the Brisbane suburbs). They are usually behind the scenes building sets, and rigging lights, but once in a while they swap the power tools for a microphone.
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 TWO @ TURNER HALL THEATRE – – –
Thursday 20th February 2025 until Sunday 23rd February 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/2024/03/WEEK-2-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 Youth Week ( 6-9 March 2025 ) and innovative Shakespeare interpretations in ‘Bite-sized Bard’ ( 4-7 April 2025 ), curated by Come You Spirit’s Jo Bloom.
May brings a spectacular Cabaret Week ( 5-8 May 2025 ), featuring an array of singers, dancers, and multidisciplinary artists.
The season culminates in the highly anticipated Semi-Finals and Gala Finals ( 16+17 May 2025 ), where the festival’s most outstanding performances compete for top honours.
BOOKINGS AND INFORMATION – https://buytickets.at/shortsweetsydney
𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭+𝐒𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐒𝐲𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐓𝐰𝐨 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬
Congratulations to all the plays in Heat 2 our Pride themed week – A true variety of stories and an incredible group of individuals joining together for a brilliant night of theatre! However, we can only have 3 winners –
𝐉𝐮𝐝𝐠𝐞’𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞: 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗜𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝟭𝟮 𝗔𝗣𝗢𝗦𝗧𝗟𝗘𝗦 𝗪𝗘𝗥𝗘 𝗚𝗔𝗬? Written, Directed & Starring by Vincent Andriano [Joint 2nd Place: He’s Thinking & Chopin’s Heart]
𝐏𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞’𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞: 𝗔 𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗬 𝗥𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗖 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗢𝗦𝗔𝗟 Written by Bruce Olive / Directed by Caroline L. George Starring: Imogen Trevillion, Xarve Buchholz, Andrea Tan, Alison Brooker & Blake Nicholas [2nd Place: He’s Thinking, 3rd Place: Chopin’s Heart]
𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐰 𝐂𝐮𝐭 𝐂𝐡𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞: 𝗛𝗘’𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 Written & Directed by Vincent Andriano Starring: Raymond Padora & Travis Howard
We look forward to seeing all of these plays again in the Semi-Finals [1st – 4th May 2025] In the mean time, join us for YOUTH WEEK – Starting 7pm Thursday 6th March 2025.
