SHORT+SWEET SYDNEY 2010
Love and rejection, acceptance and intolerance… plus ‘9-up’ in ten minute bites!
Seventy-something playwright Bryan Niland’s “Somewhere over the Rainbow” is directed by famed director Aarne Neeme and stars Ted Crosby and Leah Etkind. The play portrays the struggle that erupts between characters whose values and ambitions are no longer cohesive. The turbulence of the relationship in this play is underscored by it taking place high up on a cliff top over looking a stormy ocean on a cold wild day. Both characters have abandoned lucrative positions to pursue their dreams of living as successful artists but are still struggling after many years. Now one character wants to move on because she no longer believes idealism can underpin a life. How will their conflict be resolved?
Bryan Niland is one of the biggest private collectors of abstract painting and sculpture in Australia. Art is the subtext of this play. Bryan has had a long friendship with Aarne Neeme, the play’s director and Donald Crosby, father of the play’s young male star Ted.
When it comes to the crunch, how well do you know your other half? In “Perfect Stillness” by former Short+Sweet winner Melbourne’s Jane Miller, Tim and Annie discover that even after 12 years together, there are still some deep secrets to be uncovered. A beautiful love story at its heart, Perfect Stillness makes us ask how well we can really know our loved ones, what the “truth” really is, and even if, in the end, it really matters. It stars Ro Dempsey, Ben Brock and Larry Kelly, directed by Amelia Tranter.
Wayne Tunks’ hilarious “Intervention” directed by Samantha Walsh, sees gay Adrian walking into a surprise ‘intervention’ staged by his freaky family. Can Adrian be convinced by his family and the fashion-conscious hooker they’ve invited along… or will his grandmother spoil the family’s plans completely?
“Bella” by Sydney’s Paul Ayre and directed by Bernadette Ryan is an intriguing twist on the ‘7-up’ idea. Five actresses (Ashley Bale, Kate O’Shea, Sarah Knowles, Louise Bartok and Alison Eaton) each portray the title character at age 9,18,27,36 and 45 respectively. An exploration of self-judgement, “Bella” highlights the wisdom of our younger selves that is often discounted.
Love and relationships feature in many of the other great 10-minute plays on offer including local debuts for “Tipping Point” by Mark Andrew, “Catch a Falling Knife” by Mark Fraser and “The Proposal” by Matt Orchard.
Saturday 16 January’s matinee ‘wildcard’ program also offers an additional program of single performances from 3pm.
Short+Sweet Theatre Sydney 2010 will present 163 works from January to February in two parallel venues – NIDA’s Parade Playhouse kicks in from Feb - including its 1000th Aussie play!
Upcoming highlights include Mamdouh Habib’s autobiographical piece about Guantanamo Bay, as well as Sydney premieres for the Caryl Churchill Seven Jewish Children and Edward Albee’s brilliant The Sandbox.
The full program of works for Short+Sweet Theatre Sydney 2010 is published at www.shortandsweet.org
Top 100 Wed-Sat 8.15pm Newtown Theatre Tickets $28 / $24 Wildcards Sat 3pm Tickets $25 / $22
Bookings 8507 3034 or online www.shortandsweet.org
