Short and Sweet Cabaret

Reviewed by Heidi Lockwood
Nestled in the urban suburb of Newtown is the new theatre which, for 2 weeks (week 1 from January 8th 11th and week 2 from January 15th to 19th), is playing host to the Short and Sweet Cabaret: a series of over 40 different eccentric 10 minute theatrical productions.

Music, reminiscent of moulin rouge, played whilst the theatre filled with well dressed couples sipping on champagne, arty 20-somethings drinking bottled beer and groups of women clinking their wine glasses whilst nattering about the week's events. The mix of age groups and social classes made for a refreshingly diverse audience; proving that this production can appeal to anyone. The new theatre was a hive of activity even before the performance had begun, and then, show time.

Acts such as 'Harldy the Portrait of a Lady' performed by Cienda McNamara, 'My Jesus Year' by Alison Eaton and 'Harry and Liz' by Charlotte and Evan Kerr all exuded the former adjectives. Whether humorously bitching about Nicole Kidman, ingeniously projecting an honest representation of the life of a 33 year old women, or charming the audience with their sweet brother-sister all-singing all-dancing act, each of these performances shone for their incredible voices, comedic presence and believable onstage personas.

Other performances, such as 'Wags' and 'A Date with Dali', however lacked this polished professionalism. While the prose of the Wags' poetry was cleverly constructed and relevant to modern culture, their singing abilities appeared mediocre in comparison to the powerful voices of others including Narelle Yeo and Maryann Wright.

A Date with Dali was a peculiar (and oddly sexual) modern interpretation of a clown, and while not to everyone taste, was certainly not boring!

Short and Sweet cabaret is a fun, modern and free-spirited production, featuring some extremely talented people whose love of performing and admiration of the stage is conveyed from beginning to end. Those who want to experience an abnormal yet exciting cabaret, and merely want to be entertained for an evening, should most certainly book tickets now for Short and Sweet's second week of production.

Short + Sweet Theatre

 Short + Sweet Theatre has returned as it does every year, Sydney's largest Short play festival. This year it runs for nine weeks from 8 January to 2 March.

Every night there will be ten or more plays each lasting ten minutes.  Each week there is a new set of plays and at the weekends there are Wildcards! So if you go every week you are in for a new treat.

The festival has a competition element, in that you vote for your favourite two plays. Judges also attend to find the festivals best play, writer, actors, costumes, director etc. The winners come together for a gala night at the end of the festival, which is a great night out and one you shouldn't miss.

The festival opened with quite a mix of eleven plays. There were some that were well written and others that were not. There was actors who evoked a quick rapport with the audience and there were others that you couldn't wait to leave! Each performance had their own sets and costumes. 

I have never yet walked away from a Short + Sweet night disappointed, be careful it is quite addictive and you might find you have to go to every week.  

I am not going to review each play because I could influence your judging! But here is an overview.

Week 1

Reading Lamouche - A play about a play! It really was a bit of a dig at themselves in that actors can take themselves a bit too seriously!

Life lines - should you read a dead persons diary? You can find out what this mother decided to do.

Harrassment - a poor office worker, wrongfully accused of sexual harassment or is he?

Metamorphosis - an eye opening monologue into the life of a young boy who realises he will only be happy as a woman.

Therapist - Does the client fall in love with his therapist or is it the other way round?
Anxiety Game - An anxiety reality TV Game show. Will he win the holiday or just lose all self respect?
Some Other Toy - When customer service almost goes beyond the call of duty when a customer looses her sex toy in a very private place!
Advanced - A museum tour guide is having a personal crises in a public performance to museum patrons
Til Death Do Us Part - A married couple find themselves on their way to heaven or hell. Now they are there and Death Do Us Part, do they part or stay together?
Un Faustian - A Jewish actor has a life or death decision to make.
The Ultimate Reality Contest - To what lengths will TV go to entertain us?

So as you can see from the short synopsis of each play they are all quite different. I did wonder why they put two game shows into the same week as they were a little to similar in theme, but then again I don't know what is coming up in the remaining weeks!

Week Two will start on Wednesday 15 January at the King Street Theatre.

For more information on Short + Sweet go to their website - www.shortandsweet.org

Short + Sweet Cabaret is also happening at the New Theatre for two week's followed by Short + Sweet Dance. It is all happening in Newtown!

(Photos accredited to Sylvi Soe - Third Tree Creative)