Bronwyn Fullerton

SHORT AND SWEET 2013 WEEK 2

Sandra Campbell as Mrs O’Donnell in WAITING. Pic Sylvi Soe

Short and Sweet Festival’s second week hosts ten plays that are abundant with innovative ideas, performances and interesting variant themes.

The following plays were outstanding in content and performance:-

“Waiting” – a wonderful and sad exploration of loneliness and music, with a memorable and moving performance by Sandra Campbell as Mrs O’Donnell, written by Kylie Rackham.

“Count” – Nick Dale’s impressive monologue about Jay, who struggles with an obsessive compulsive counting disorder, written by Jodi Cramond.

“Bus Trip” – another interesting monologue by Michela Carattini, written by Kathryn Yuen and full of humour and despair.

“Richard & Rod” – an absurdly funny piece with Aaron Nilan and Alastair Buchanan as the penises, written by A. Patrick Nilan.

The themes in the other plays were fresh, innovative and well conveyed:-A hilarious marital diet debate; life through the eyes of a family’s eloquent pets; a philosophical suicide; a serious insight into abusive, captive relationships; manipulation of a friendship through social media and a disturbed friend living in a past century.

The power of the ten minute play is that ideas are expressed so quickly that the audience have little time to ponder or analyse, thus the impact could be more closely related to our impression of a painting, song or cartoon. We are left with the raw idea.

The plays run smoothly thanks to minimalist set changes, which also leave the stage uncluttered, allowing the performances to stand out.

Of the 80 plays selected, the remaining 60 will be shown over the next six weeks. This diverse program is worth catching and an inspiration especially to aspiring writers and performers.

(c) Bronwyn Fullerton

19th January, 2012

Tags: Sydney Stage Reviews- Short and Sweet Week 2, King Street Theatre Newtown, Sandra Campbell, Kylie Rackham, Nick Dale, Jodi Cramond, Michaeli Carattini, Kathryn Yuen, Aaron Nilan, Alistair Buchanan, 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.