Cosmic Players - News and Updates

Short and Sweet Festival 2010

It's that time of the year again when Festivals around the globe are seeking fresh plays. I've gone a little mad this year and have entered five new 10-minute one act plays into the Short and Sweet Festival 2010.

The gloves are off and all festivals around the world are open. I've eneterd As The Page Turns, Separating The Dust, Aunt Ethel's Death Notice, Hymenoxys and Doped Up Deal. Applications closed on 11 April 2010 and now it's a nervous wait to hear back from the Readers at the offices of Short and Sweet to see if they are going to allow any of the five entrants proceed past the first stage of being read by their panel.

Oh the nail biting wait. If accepted, the first perfomances will start in Singapore, then onto Malaysia. From there it's back to this end of the world where Short and Sweet performances will happen in Auckland, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne and finally, the big one, in Sydney. Sydney runs for about a month and if my emails through Facebook are anything to go by, the updates are relentless, exciting and imformative from the Short and Sweet Fan Page. I'm addicted to them and now I wait to see if I am going to be part of the Facebook Fan Page ferver.

Wish me luck.

Shattered Reflection

Shattered Reflection played to over 200 theatre goers and to their accolades the show was a hit. In the hit and miss arena of what is the Melbourne Fringe Festival, Shattered Reflection gained audience approval with reviews as … Good show. In particular loved Ben's character. He got it spot on! … and … You obviously have a lot of talent and I really wish you well in breaking into the professional arena.

Shattered Reflection, a black comedy of edgy proportions opened on Wednesday 24 September 2008 at the Guild Theatre, Union House, University of Melbourne. Directed by Elizabeth Penny, the story focused on mental illness, male prostitution, loneliness and illicit drug addiction in the corporate sector.

Shattered Reflection was born from a newspaper article reporting on illicit drugs in the corporate sector. The article outlined the taking of illicit drugs on a regular basis was more than a problem for the disturbed youth on the streets. The article outlined this systemic problem also exists in the corporate sector amongst the most respected management and leaders of our time, in well known organisations.

Shattered Reflection will be remounted after a remodel and freshen up. Stick around and watch this space to find out when, the show will go on.

UPDATE

Shattered Reflection is under consideration for performance by Sherbrook Theatre (Victoria) and The Basin Theatre (Victoria).

The Meeting Place and Comfort Zone

As above, Shattered Reflection is under consideration by Sherbrooke Theatre (Victoria) and The Basin Theatre (Victoria). In addition to this, the full length drama, The Meeting Place is also being considered for production by The Basin Theatre (Victoria). I am particularly proud of The Meeting Place as it was my first script written and produced before I was 25 years old, a milestone if I do say so myself.

Comfort Zone, a full length comedy co-written with award winning playwright Stuart Pursell, is under consideration for production by Sherbrooke Theatre (Victoria). This play is tears away at the pretentious nosh-chowing theatrettes and their inward view of theatre production. A very comical play.

Short and Sweet Singapore 2008 Festival

Short and Sweet Singapore 2008 Festival was a success with my two one-act plays, The Mechanics and Disturbing Mavis performed in Top 30, Week 1.

With 5 performances in Week 1, thrown amongst 9 other one-act plays, in both the Rehearsed Readings and Staged Performances, the actors of both shows had their work cut-out for them; competition was strong.

With only an hour to rehearse the scripts, the two actors in The Mechanics performed brilliantly, picking up on the nuances and subtly of the script. As a Rehearsed Reading, my preconceived idea was that the two actors would merely stand on the stage with script in hand, reading; however, their rehearsed actions and array of props added to the telling of the story. A job well done.

Disturbing Mavis in the evening performance in the Studio Theatre at the Nunyung Performing Arts Academy was well worth the travel from Melbourne to Singapore. Loretta Chen as Mavis encapsulated the role of Mavis with deep emotion and full conviction. On stage an elderly lady warmed our hearts, cried for her past and longed for lost friends. When Nurse arrived to administer Mavis’ medication, the stony-faced professional showed how cold and stern a matronly nurse could be. The audience sat still, quiet (not a sound to be heard) and was encapsulated by Loretta’s performance as Mavis and Christelle’s as Nurse. I was honoured to meet the Director, Shen Tan after the performance to talk about the outstanding performances then to meet the very young faced Loretta Chen and cheerful Christelle Taillens.

Disturbing Mavis was awarded the People’s Choice Award, with strong audience appreciation. Winning the award allows entry into the Gala Performance (Finals) on June 27 – 29, 2008 at The Esplanade Theatre.

Check out the details at the Short and Sweet Web site:

http://singapore.shortandsweet.org/results.html

Short and Sweet Malaysia 2008 Festival

First Singapore and now, Malaysia!

The Festival made its debut in one of the most prestigious theatre establishment in the country, The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre – KLPAC in August 2008. The Festival is a hub for creative Malaysians to showcase their talents in a highly creative, collaborative and professional environment.

Spring, my one-act play written as part of Play In A Day, produced by Mitcham Theatre Company was selected for production in Short and Sweet Malaysia 2008 Festival. Directed by Nalina Samynathan, Cast: Shanthini Venugopal, Amelia Chen, Gowri Paary and Stephanie Prabaharan.

http://www.shortandsweet.org

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