WHAT IS SHORT+SWEET Now celebrating its eighteenth year worldwide, Short+Sweet is the biggest festival of 10-minute works. Held annually in dozen of locations around the world, Short+Sweet has already helped launch the careers of countless theatre professionals. Over 300 short plays are produced by Short+Sweet every year, bringing together artists from a variety of backgrounds and making global creative connections. Short+Sweet has been delighting audiences across Queensland for eleven years with a diverse program including cutting-edge contemporary, grisly drama, outlandish comedy, sultry song and everything in between. Over 200 Queensland artists will come together to stage 10-minute works of theatre and cabaret in this exciting program. Over 50 new short works will be performed throughout the months of June and July in Brisbane and Gold Coast. Hold tight as you are rocketed along a roller coaster ride of dramatic pursuits by seeing up to ten plays or ten cabaret acts, each less than ten minutes long. You will get to vote for your favourite acts and send them through to the Gala Finals. A lot can happen in ten minutes... and we’re here to prove it!
HOW DOES IT WORK? Artists can apply to be a part of the Short+Sweet Festival in one of the five ways: Writers submit a copy of their 10-minute script for assessment. Directors submit a CV for consideration. Independent Theatre Companies submit a proposal for their 10-minute work. Cabaret Artists submit a pitch for their 10-minute cabaret act. Actors register to attend an open audition for all directors and ITCs. From the applications, we then intricately put together an exciting line up of local performance makers to present their work at the festival over five strands. During each strand, anonymous industry judges will view and assess the performances. Audiences are also given the opportunity to nominate their favourite act and send them through to the Gala Finals. From each strand, two or more works will be selected to present at the Gala Finals. This line up will be back at the Powerhouse Theatre later in the year, awards will be presented to individuals and groups for recognition of excellence.
THE AWARDS SHORT+SWEET AWARD Presented to the best overall production, theatre or cabaret – taking into consideration acting, directing and script. PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD Presented to the most popular play or cabaret act as voted by audiences throughout the festival.
BEST ACTOR Presented to the performer who gave the most outstanding performance in a play. BEST CABARET ARTIST Presented to the performer who gave the most outstanding performance in a cabaret.
BEST THEATRE PRODUCTION Presented to the team behind the best play, excluding the winner of the Short+Sweet Award.
BEST NEW TALENT Presented to an emerging writer, director, or performer who performed outstandingly either at the Gala Final or during the Festival.
BEST CABARET PRODUCTION Presented to the team behind the best cabaret, excluding the winner of the Short+Sweet Award.
BEST SCRIPT Presented to the writer of the most outstanding script performed at the festival.
BEST DIRECTOR Presented to the best director of a play or cabaret act, by discernment of the judges.
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE Presented to the composer of the best original score performed in a cabaret.
FESTIVAL OVERVIEW JUNE
JULY
MON TUE WED THU FRI
SAT SUN
MON TUE WED THU FRI
SAT SUN
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FESTIVAL SCHEDULE TIME
STRAND
TYPE
SPACE
VENUE
7pm
1
Cabaret
Turbine Studio
BPH
7pm
1
Cabaret
Turbine Studio
BPH
7pm
1
Cabaret
Turbine Studio
BPH
7pm
1
Cabaret
Turbine Studio
BPH
7pm
2
Theatre
Visy Theatre
BPH
7pm
2
Theatre
Visy Theatre
BPH
7pm
2
Theatre
Visy Theatre
BPH
7pm
2
Theatre
Visy Theatre
BPH
7pm
3
Theatre
Visy Theatre
BPH
7pm
3
Theatre
Visy Theatre
BPH
7pm
3
Theatre
Visy Theatre
BPH
7pm
3
Theatre
Visy Theatre
BPH
7pm
4
Theatre
The Space
HOTA
7pm
4
Theatre
The Space
HOTA
7pm
4
Theatre
The Space
HOTA
9pm
5
Theatre
The Basement
HOTA
7pm
Gala Finals
Mix
Powerhouse Theatre
BPH
Secure your tickets to the Strands and Gala Finals to witness the best short show in Queensland! Visit brisbanepowerhouse.org or call (07) 3358 8600 Visit hota.com.au or call (07) 5588 4000
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STRAND ONE BRISBANE POWERHOUSE | TURBINE STUDIO WED 5 JUN — SAT 8 JUN
BRISBURNED
By Mark Lombard Comedy Written & Directed by Mark Lombard Music & Lyrics by James Tinniswood Brisburned is a hilarious, theatrical, sketch comedy show about Brisbanites and their day to day frustrations living in a small country town that masquerades as a new world city.
TONY THE PRAWN
Written, Directed & Performed by Taylor Edwards Assisted by Chris Martin Tony the Prawn, the world’s only performing prawn, has had a rough year. He just has to get through one last Christmas gig at the Redland Bay RSL. Witness the closing night performance of an undersea talent pushed to the brink!
CRAMPING MY STYLE
Written & Performed by Virag Dombay Directed by Oliver Hetherington-Page It's my vagina party and you're all invited.
QUEENSLANDA: A STATE OF ORIGIN By Acid Gambit Creative Written & Directed by Nick Bleeker Performed by Nick Bleeker & James Miller Music by James Miller
A sea of maroon ROARS to life as Queenslanda spits lyrical fire over DJ Arty Beatson's exquisite beats, but over the course of 10 minutes he slowly gets angrier until he receives some troubling news about his past and the future...
GIRL POWER PTY LTD
Written by Katie Wheatley Directed by Joy Qin Performed by Katie Wheatley & Allister Harrison Women are ďŹ nally empowered! And what better way to celebrate than by making hella cash out of them? Join the world's most formulaic singer/songwriter duo for a collection of inspiring and highly proďŹ table female empowerment anthems!
GEORDIE MCGRATH PRESENTS: A VERY GOOD DANCE Written, Directed & Performed by Geordie McGrath Costume Design by Allyssa Ablon Geordie McGrath Presents: A Very Good Dance.
KARATE-MAN AND THE ANGEL
Written & Directed by Alex Lamont & Brianna Fox Choreographed by Jemma Thomas Accompanied by Lily Colmer Performed by Kaitlin Evans, Micheal Hornery, Ayrton Niwa, Emma Venzke, Likiki Millet, Bailee Scott, Jenna Camilleri & Clare Hudson Life is tough enough for any LGBT kid in high school, but when you add on a new relationship and a set of superpowers things are bound to escalate. Join Karate-Man and The Angel as they battle everything from armed robbers and gender dysphoria to killer aliens and false idolisation.
Please note: performance are not listed in running order.
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STRAND TWO B R I S B A N E P O W E R H O U S E | V I S Y T H E AT R E WED 12 JUN — SAT 15 JUN
NATURALLY CONFUSED: SLOTH EDITION
By Maybe Mad Theatre Company Written and Performed by Bridget Ward & George Harris Directed by Tyler Harlum Public Relations by Grace Sankey One animal expert desperately attempts to unload his infinite knowledge of animals on his audience and fans, but one key thing has been forgotten – the animals!! What can he do? Can he overcome his assistant’s faux par’s and mischief? She sure isn’t making it easy, but onwards and upwards! Two idiots. Too many animals. Not enough time. This cannot be good! Come along and witness the chaos, crackups and clowns.
DEEDS, NOT WORDS
By The Roaring Ones Written & Performed by Elise Lamb Directed by Greg Scurr From her cell in Holloway Gaol, Australian Suffragette Muriel Matters recalls the "Grille Incident" at the House of Commons in 1908.
A GAME OF SORTS
By The Adwah Haswah Theatre Company of Wonder and Magic Written, Directed and Performed by Adam Hasa and Jordan Schulte Two guys are playing an extremely important game (of sorts).
TO CRIPPLE A FLOWER
By The Good Time Boys Written by Alex Smith Directed by Kurtis Laing Performed by Kurtis Laing, James Kehoe, Drew Buchanan, Tully Grimley, Chris Paton, Alex Smith & Sophie Hugh Jackman After years in the thriving Brisbane sketch comedy scene, The Good Time Boys are returning to Short + Sweet with their dramatic magnum opus. Betrayal, intrigue and family tension abounds in this new one act play from the GTB. "In a year containing Avengers Endgame, Star Wars Episode 9 and the Boss Baby season 2, 'To Cripple A Flower' is the greatest thing about 2019." - Vanity Fair
DON’T
Written, Directed & Performed by Calum Johnston Mentored by Clint Bolster DON’T explores a day in the life of a man who has one job. One simple job. Don’t. Press. The. Button. Will he succeed or will his humanity get the better of him?
I’VE GOT A BUN
Written by Cary Pepper Directed by Katie Clarke Performed by Jack McGirr & Connor Hawkins A prominent actor and director find themselves producing the never before seen work from a world class playwright written in a time where spellcheck didn't exist. With sell out audiences a near guarantee, it is absolutely vital that the script is performed exactly as written.
BLITZ SCREED
Written by Pamela Crest Directed by Anna Straker Performed by Cecile Blackmore, Jesse Blachut & Troy Bullock A debate to decide the fate of man kind. A finger pointing Death and a Cyborg realist are our finalists. This will go well. "Blitz Screed" brings together these eccentric Brisbane individuals for the first time. Absurdity is their game, existential entertainment is your gain. Sit back and enjoy the utter terror of our future. It'll be fun.
1-900-OH I CAN’T CONTROL MYSELF
By GLUEINTHEKEYHOLE PRODUCTIONS Written & Directed by Dusan Bojic Performed by Sam Hocking and Tristan Niemi Changing jobs? People do it all the time I hear you say. But this is different. Very different.Two friends. Two totally different jobs..and what a change. There are so many reasons why people do it. Boredom. Time for a change. Too much stress. Whatever the reason, there’s always the expectation that the grass will be greener on the other side. Or Bora Bora in the case of 1-9-Oh I Can’t ControlMyself. And where did the crossdressing llama’s come into it? And who’s going to dial it down? Or ring it up? Join us for a rollercoaster ride into jobswapping as a contact sport.
THE MEETING
By Get Dressed Productions Written & Directed by Emma Windress Performed by Emma Windress, Jordan Schulte & Cherie Moss You know when you meet someone and they’re exactly how you imagined and everything goes according to plan? Yeah, Chris doesn’t either.
AVA TAKES UP AVIATION
Written by John Weagly Directed by Thomas Svensson Production Design by Isabelle Rickards Performed by Emily Wright, Skye Fitzpatrick & Skye Fellman After Ava breaks up with her girlfriend, her friends have their hands full when they find her up a tree, in this heartbreak - and cocaine - fueled comedy.
Please note: performance are not listed in running order.
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STRAND THREE B R I S B A N E P O W E R H O U S E | V I S Y T H E AT R E WED 19 JUN — SAT 22 JUN
A PARABLE OF WOLVES
By The Lads Written by Keane Latcham-Small Directed by Brodie Greenhalgh Performed by Jeremiah Wray Upon the precipice of his new life he must atone for what he once was, and discover who he will be. If he can't let go, he will lose his pack.
WHAT YOU MEME TO ME
Written & Performed by Reegan Milne Directed by Nicolas Angelosanto While meme’s can be a great tool for telling jokes among friends, can they sufficiently replace human interaction? Jared is a socially isolated young adult whose new found acceptance via online forums has far reaching, in real life, consequences.
HOW TO MANAGE EVERYTHING
By Planet 9 Productions Written & Directed by the committee of Planet 9 Creatives Performed by Xanthe Jones, Jason McKell, Colin Smith, Estelle Snowball & Samuel Valentine An incompetent CEO fails to pick a new manager, so it's all hands on deck to clean up his mess. With only a few ragtag candidates on hand, and the enigmatic Founder a phone call away, the fallout could be... astronomical.
#MILLENNIALGIRLS
By The S'Witch Collective & The Maenad Theatre Collective Written, Directed & Performed by Rebecca Day & Chelsea O’Brien With our attention spans decreasing in the era of complete accessibility in our pockets, what do we have to do to capture your attention and keep it there? How far will you go for fame? #MillennialGirls explores this unchecked desire to be ‘relevant’ and where fame is our generations definition of success.
SPEAKING VOLUMES
Written by Ken Levine Directed by Danielle Maxwell Performed by Britainy London, Dom Ryan & James Navybox A librarian finds his voice after losing his GF.
STARGAZERS
Written by Greg Gould Directed by Jaron Phillips Performed by Freya Hoareau, Tadgh Parker & Darrel Plumridge Danny takes Becky out to look at the stars and maybe discover that the universe is bigger than we know. Dr Ludwig can help with that!
SMART JIMMY, SLOW BOB
Written by Greg Gould Directed by Arryn Cox Production Assistant & Casting by Jamie Dock Performed by Jesse Blachut, Anna Conomos & Bella Rose When Jimmy’s dim-witted sister, Bobby, messes up a hit for the boss, Jimmy must clean up the mess. But when Sally, the sister of Bobby’s intended victim, turns up, Jimmy’s job gets a lot more complicated.
A HAPPY MARRIAGE
Written by Claire Reilly Directed by Luke Rimmelzwaan Performed by Claire Reilly & Ben Keane This is a short dark comedy sketch show about the inner secrets and thoughts a couple have within a marriage...
NEVER GIVE UP
By Mira Ball Productions Written by James Hutchinson Directed & Produced by Elodie Boal Stage Management by Janelle Camilleri Performed by Bradley Chapman & Dom Bradley How far does a creative have to go to get their big break? Enter Nigel Davenport – a determined playwright who has a thirst for writing. After entering his plays into the local festival for years, and always being knocked back, the artistic committee has finally called. Is this his big shot?
IF I COULD GO BACK
By Underground Broadway Written by Jarrad Lindsay Directed by Emma Dunsmore & Jarrad Lindsay Performed by Samantha Sherrin, Shelise Vandal & Mitch Walsh Ben gets caught in a loop, reliving the same events over and over as he tries to work through his mental health struggles alone.
SYNCING SHIP
Written & Directed by Victoria Posner Performed by J' Ma, Rachael Winter Baskerville, Sabrina Williams & Skye Fitzpatrick Misty, Constance and Zara-Lee are ‘Syncing Ship’, an up-and-coming band who’ve landed the gig of a lifetime. Event manager extraordinaire Bobbi thinks she’s hit the jackpot with her new musical act. The only problem is the band have a secret that threatens to ruin the whole event! Can ‘Syncing Ship’ save the day or is this band about to go down like the Titanic?
Please note: performance are not listed in running order.
03
04
STRAND FOUR H O TA | T H E S PA C E THU 25 JUL — SAT 27 JUL
INDECENT PROPOSAL
By 13th Street Written by Sian Laycock & Joel Stephen Fleming Directed by Joel Stephen Fleming Costume & Production Design by Sian Laycock Sound Design by Michael Monaco Performed by Chelsea O’Brien, Kyle McCallion, Lauren Hartwin, Jake Doak, Dane Paltemann & Billy Bently A reality TV dating show with a twist.
THE HOLD UP
Written by Gregory A. Gould Directed by Danielle Starkey Sound Design by Josh Shelton Performed by Kyle McCallion, Sam Monaghan & Jamie Duncan A worldly inner city convenience store clerk, a paranoid boyfriend, and a guy with a knife, brought together by chance. It's going to be a perspective-changing day.
THINGS YOU SHOULD DO ON A STAGE
By The Reaction Theory In Collaboration with Stevie-Lorelle Answerth Written by Egan Sun-Bin Directed by Jasmin Smith Performed by Karli Riesen Thalia has a list. It’s a list of things you should do on a stage. She has made a promise that no matter what happens, she will complete it. It’s important to her. It’s a promise she needs to fulfil but why? That is the question.
OPPORTUNITY
By Parallax Collective Written & Directed by Tess Middleton Music by Brooke Austen Design by Aimee Pouzet & Jaimeson Gilders Performed by Brooke Austen, Tahlia Downs, Aimee Pouzet & Jaimeson Gilders The newly established Australian Space Agency is ready for their maiden voyage. Will they play it safe and send an unmanned test rocket into space? NO. They have a much more important mission.
THE HARSH
Written by Alex Dremann Directed by Keane Latcham-Small Performed by Sho Eba, Clare Fotinos & Sarah Wrigley How do we experience the most with what little time we have? Find love? Eat a bacon sandwich? Not let yourself be terrified of a cigarette? That is life for Henry. "I'm living life to the fullest." "I would expect nothing less." "She's not in love with you."
COCONUT CREATIVE CLAN
Written by Shannon Maugham Directed by Nicolas Angelosanto Performed by Shannon Maugham, Johanna Lyon & Jennifer Laycock The CCC is here to give you an insight into a new way of being that will change the way you live forever. Whether you’ve realised it or not, coconuts are the physical portal to devine spirit, our connection to the universe and so gosh darn tasty. Members of the CCC follow a religion, founded in 1963, that worships and adores the Coconut. *Please note this religion is loosely based off the Coconut Kingdom, founded in Southern Vietnam
CHAIR-ISH THE MOMENT
By ThunderBear Productions Written, Directed & Performed by Matthew Homer, Angus Thorburn & Jack Edwards "If it's the right chair, it doesn't take too long to get comfortable in it." - Robert De Niro. Three men with brains, brawn and books fight to be the last man sitting on the best seating device known to the stage. How far will they go to sit in a chair? How far will they go to cherish the moment?
THE GRIZZLY TRUTH
By The Good Time Boys Written by James Kehoe Directed by Kurtis Laing Performed by James Kehoe, Kurtis Laing, Chris Paton, Tully Grimley & Drew Buchanan When a group of housemates discover one of them is not who they say they are, relationships surface, friendships are tested and alliances are formed. Be warned, this sketch from Brisbane's 9th best comedy group is positively... grizzly.
THIS IS NOT A MUGGING
Written by Mike O’Dowd Directed by Skye Fitzpatrick Performed by Marcus McEleavey, Siobhan Robertson & Ash Harris To Scott, this definitely DOES feel like a mugging.
POPULATION 55
Written & Directed by Adam Charlton Performed by Rebel Lyons & Chris Robinson A young woman working in her fathers pub in a forgotten outback town is so eager to see a new face, she'll talk to just about anyone.
UNDYING LOVE
By Jester Thought Productions Written & Directed by Johnny Haselam Make-Up by Bree Logan Sound Design by Matthew Gray Art by Dusty Rich Performed by Jermia Turner, Brad McDonald & Jonny Haselam Special thanks to Sam Foster & Hayden Jones Passion, anger, regret, heartbreak and BRAAAAAINS. Please note: performance are not listed in running order.
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STRAND FIVE H O TA | T H E B A S E M E N T SAT 27 JUL
THE PIZZA BOY
Written, Directed & Performed by Téa Gross It’s hard to let someone know how you really feel, it’s even harder with a mouth full of pizza. In this story we find an awkward girl trying to tell the boy in the pizza shop exactly how she feels.
I AM A WHORE FOR YOUR GAZE
Written, Directed & Performed by Sho Eba How many hook ups have you gone on? How many were enjoyable? And how many made you question why you even bother? Did you laugh? Did you cry? Almost die? Did you realise that you are doing it to fill a hole that is both physically and emotionally vacant and that these ventures are only temporary fixes that will eventually empty out and leave you feeling used and empty? Let me tell you a handful of my experiences, maybe we will learn a something too. See you there xx
THE PERFECT MAN, PRESENTED BY HARDONIS Written, Directed & Performed by Peter Hartwig Produced by Peter Hartwig/Hardonis Costume by Tiraden
With paints on a canvas, Hardonis creates a portrait of his most beautiful subject whilst telling stories and jokes about his incredible life and artistic process, which mostly seems to involve drinking wine and losing his clothes!
RICCARDO: LIVE!
Written, Directed & Performed by Kamara Henricks Accompanied by Luke Volker Costume & Prop Designed by Shez Designz Marketing Design by Madeleine Ratcliffe Creative & Mentored by Alicia Cush Design & Media by Penny Challen Welcome aboard the Grand Rio Cruise Line! You're in for a treat with our on-deck entertainment. Sit back and relax as Riccardo sweeps you off his feet with his quadruple talent. Enjoy it while it lasts as there’s a rumour this might be his last show on board…
HOT & STEAMY
Written, Directed & Performed by Shannon Maugham For decades now professional Cabaret has been known to be one of the sexiest jobs on earth. However, in 2019 new research has taken place that suggests there is a new occupation that is slowly becoming the sexiest of all time. Sexier than Cabaret, sexier than sex itself. This research was done by none other than Shannon Maugham. An everyday girl with absolutely no qualifications or credibility.
Please note: performance are not listed in running order.
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SHORT+SWEET QLD 2019 TEAM: EXECUTIVE PRODUCER // Sean Dennehy FESTIVAL DIRECTOR // Josh Lyons FESTIVAL MANAGER // Angela Goh PRODUCTION & STAGE MANAGER // Lauren O’Neill
WEBSITE
SHORTANDSWEET.ORG
@SHORTSWEETQLD
@SHORTSWEETQLD
SHORTSWEET.PRODUCTION@GMAIL.COM
Secure your tickets to the Strands and Gala Finals to witness the best short show in Queensland! Visit brisbanepowerhouse.org or call (07) 3358 8600 Visit hota.com.au or call (07) 5588 4000