As The Page Turns

Newly written one-act play, As The Page Turns, reflecting current world issues, has been entered into the Short and Sweet Singapre Festival (along with another one-act play, Spring). As The Page Turns tells the following story...

Uba, having walked for ten days has found an abandoned hamlet in the mountains. Uba hears a news report on his transistor radio, describing his home town of Azag being overrun with enemy soldiers and tanks. Uba’s mobile phone rings. He answers it to hear his wife’s voice, before long the connection cuts out; was that a bomb that exploded in the background or has her phone lost power?

Teo, clean looking, approaches Uba. Teo learns Uba is from Azag. Fuelled by anger and hatred, Teo blames the people of Azag for the armed fighting between Azag and Naza-Gan. Uba claims his innocence

Sofia approaches Uba and Teo. Teo is proud to show Sofia his latest captive. Sofia protects Uba from Teo, claiming to be Uba’s mother. Sofia tells of her friendship with Teo and recalls his teachings of love and life in Naza-Gan. Uba accuses Sofia of being a traitor.

Meka approaches Uba and Sofia, relieved to have found her husband, alive and joyful to have found Sofia. Meka tells Uba their children were killed by enemy’s tanks. Teo claims the spilt blood of Meka’s people is the fault of their own.

Teo retrieves a knife from his pocket and threatens Uba. As he attacks Uba; Meka throws herself in front of Uba and receives the knife. Teo gently lays her to the ground. Uba attacks Teo, but Sofia intervenes, explaining this is the way it is meant to be. Uba is mortified his mother would protect his wife’s killer.

Sofia soothes Uba’s anger and calms his manner. She takes Uba’s knife from his pocket, as she tells Uba the wrongs of his government’s ways. Sofia stabs Uba, and as he lay dying she reassures Uba she has killed him out of love, out of the promise of a new world.

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 particularloved 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 has been sent to The Edge Theatre in Southern Carolina (USA) for consideration for production. When the synopsis of Shattered Reflection was initially sent to The Edge Theatre, they were excited to hear the script was available for production. They are currently reading the script for consideration. More information is to come. Stay tuned.

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 Website:

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

Short and Sweet Malaysia 2008 Festival

First Singpore 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

Short Film Expressions Of Interest

Experienced and responsible film production groups are asked to express their interest in filming and producing two short films, Eat Up, Tiger or/and Nomad, written by Darren Brealey. The optimal group would have their own crew and equipment, are production ready and are professional operators. Darren Brealey is seeking a group of serious artisans who follow guidelines, obey council and state laws, and understand and follow OH&S standards.