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)