Central Coast News

Following its ‘2020 Hindsight’ awards finals on Sunday 16 May (showcasing the best of last year’s Covid-curtailed festival) the 2021 season begins in earnest with a double dose of pithy theatrical treats to tempt any taste!

Two parallel weekly programs - each named for an iconic Sydney beach - are performed three times (two evenings and a matinee) with Week 1 featuring the ‘Bondi’ program (Thurs & Sat 7.30pm plus Sun 2pm) and ‘Manly’ program (Fri 7.30pm, Sat 2pm, Sun 6pm).

Bondi (Thur & Sat 7.30pm, Sun 2pm) features I Was Fine Until You Came In The Room by  Rich Orloff, directed by Kym Vaitiekus, in which Helen and Pete remember the day they met… which led to a 50-year marriage. It stars Leonard Sun, Caroline Larcombe, Rebecca May and Richard Wu.

Dating Through the Decades by Ken Levine, directed by Gina Cohen: A boy and a girl date in every decade from 1950's until today.

Ones and Zeros written and directed by Addison Fowler is an ensemble-accompanied monologue about Casper, a trans non-binary young adult trying to find their place in the world and learning how to love themselves.

Diary of Marilyn, a tour-de-force solo piece by Debbie Neilson (pictured) features real Marilyn Monroe quotes. The iconic actress questions who she really is and if anyone - herself included - has the answers.

The Ratings Game written and directed by Wendy Crew is a hilarious spoof on the entertainment  industry starring Gosford's Tony Croft, Jawed Winjgebrael & Erica Nelson.

Plus The First Edition by John and Kay Longhurst, directed by Steven Tait; Missing You by Simon Tomkin, directed by Mary Middleton; and Audience Participation - written and directed by Andrew Thomson

Manly (Friday 7.30pm, Saturday 2pm and Sunday 6pm) opens with Twisted Ladder by Pauline Bleach, co-written and directed by Gabriela Loza: “The election is won and there are two positions. Who will get them?” A psychological thriller starring Roelene Coleman, Quaid Kirchner and Aaron Okey.

The Seagull by Fran Bowisk, features an entirely Central Coast team, directed by Newcastle teacher Jeff Tabley (Warner's Bay), and explores identity, sexuality and unshakably sweet love – oh, and fresh hot chips! With Tabley, Adam Dorrington (Wyee) and Patrick Wells (Rathmines).

Expectations by Jennifer O’Grady, directed by Harriet McKern is a haunting play about power, women’s lives and expectations. Charles Dickens (Steve Wilson of Newcastle)) and his wife Kate (Michelle McDonnell) speak in intersecting – and deeply contrasting - monologues about their separation, twenty-two years of marriage and nine children.

Figgy by Tom Peach directed by Dana Lowe was inspired by the writer’s first girlfriend at age 17!
A comic monologue delivered by Alice Furze (pictured) about an extraordinary young woman with great ambitions. Think cut glass: beautiful, sharp, deadly!

Plus Almost a Superhero by Barry Wood, dir. Jyotsna Jyoti; Lullaby by Joe Bergin, dir. Veena Sudarshan; Do Not Go Gentle by Graham Yates, dir. Sue Turner; and What’s That Smell? written and directed by Jyotsna Jyoti.

Short+Sweet plays Thu-Sun to Aug 22 at the Tom Mann Auditorium 136 Chalmers Street, Surry Hills

Download the great new StageCentre app for all Short+Sweet online bookings & digital voting here