Short Plays by Local Authors July 2024
David Caplice’s Variations
What began as a pastime to amuse himself, creative writing has been something to which David has returned again and again. However, like so many young Australians he heard the seductive siren call “if you want to get ahead you need to travel to the Old Dart”. David learnt firsthand that the streets of London were not paved with gold. But Germany proved welcoming and for nearly a decade he enjoyed career as a fine ballet dancer.
His monologue, Variations, was inspired by Canadian classical pianist Glenn Gould, whose acclaimed interpretation of Johann Sebastian Bach’s Goldberg Variations launched an international career.
“Glenn Gould was known for his eccentric and unorthodox musical interpretations and mannerisms at the keyboard. He stopped public performances at a young age and concentrated on studio recordings.” In tackling the monologue David says he was reflecting on “how fickle and subjective reactions can be to the always intriguing world of art.” He holds no preordained view about how the audience will react. His hope and his expectation are that each individual audience member will be moved by their own interpretation of the storyline.
Mark O’Flynn’s Teatime in Limbo
This delicious comedy of misunderstandings between two friends sharing a cuppa is the second part of what Mark describes as four “squibs”. It stands perfectly well on its own with a nod to the first “squib” where their two husbands feature. As it unfolds tension builds between the two friends as the conversation takes on different and divergent paths. Mark’s script is laced with sidesteps and backsteps as the apparently simple pastime of taking tea unravels.
Mark has a solid pedigree in writing. Plays, novels and poetry have flowed from his desktop over the years. His drama has been staged at Penrith’s Q Theatre, His third novel ‘The Last Days of Ava Langdon’ was shortlisted for the Miles Franklin award in 2017, as well as winning the Voss Literary Prize for that year, awarded by the peak body for the study of English at Australian universities..’ He has won several other literary awards.
Mark’s “squibs”, or little firecrackers, are meant to disrupt a more conventional way of communicating. Says Mark: “By tossing up language into a sort of salad whereby meaning is more a matter of chance rather than purpose. Which is often the way we communicate with others. The other squibs in the series also explore this theme.”
Lucy Twomey’s Two Chairs
An estranged father and son are brought together and given a chance to reconnect and resolve the bitterness and misunderstandings that have plagued their relationship. But their attempts to justify their own positions threatens to widen the gulf between them. Lucy’s storytelling charts the emotional missteps that occurred at pivotal stages of the son’s formative years. A searing climax spotlights the tragedy of a family divided.
Lucy trained in dance and drama in London. She appeared in the Vagina Monologues in Sydney and in Working by Studs Terkel in Boston USA. In Blackheath she starred as one of the two Coco Chanels in the acclaimed BTC’s production of More than a Little Black Dress. Lucy also had a major role in the Four Shadow’s production of Sweet Dreams Baby.
Her writing career began as a journalist on newspapers and magazines in London. Upon arriving in Sydney, Lucy became Woman and Youth Page editor for The Australian newspaper, before joining SBS television as a researcher and scriptwriter.
Tim Fahey’s Shafted
A corporate life that was involved firsthand in those uncertain days, when restructuring and downsizing was the particular fashion, is the dark inspiration for Tim’s play. The two actors are sparring like gladiators – each with a different stance as they face off in what in reality is a termination interview. A newby senior manager has called the meeting to sack a long-term sales manager. He is not going to go quietly. Tim says: “I saw instances like this close up from the inside.” He wonders with which one of the two flawed characters the audience will most sympathise.
It was after leaving the corporate world that Tim completed a master’s degree in creative writing at Sydney’s University of Technology. “That was a toughening experience. But excellent collaborative interaction with my peers.”
While Shafted is the first to be staged of Tim’s four similarly themed short plays, he has just completed a novel with a theme far removed from that corporate world. The storyline is about a boy growing up in the western suburbs of Sydney in the 1940s. A normal enough tale at first sight. Except one of the family members is a gangster.
BTC Newsletter Dec 2023
Hi Members
Our year is almost over, although we are planning a General Meeting/Christmas celebration at the end of November. This will be an opportunity to meet others and celebrate our year. Details to follow.
In late September we performed Laura Wade’s satire Home, I’m Darling. Although we did not have full houses we certainly had some enthusiastic audiences. It is a major task to put on a production with actors who may be working or studying. Our production manager pulled out as did our two stage managers and one actor! We carried on bravely with our Director Gabiann Marin stepping into the role of the estate agent and Myra Hutton and Sabine Erika stepping into the roles of Production Manager and Stage Manager. Despite all these challenges the play was a success, albeit not financially owing to the high cost of the Hall (over $4000). The play required many rehearsals in the hall as it was quite complicated. The set was superb, mostly sourced by the director. The old fifties frig and cupboards were much admired by audiences, some of whom wanted to take them home! All in all we were pleased we took the plunge and put on a little known modern play. As usual our front of house team, under the direction of Christine Watts, produced a stunning fifties atmosphere.
In October we were honoured with a wonderful Characterisation Workshop led by Margaret Davis. Those of us who took part learned a lot and we hope she will do another one next year.
As mentioned in our previous newsletter we are putting on an old favourite in April 2023, The Inspector Calls by J B Preistley which will be directed by Sabine Erika and Assistant Director, Peta Toppano. There is already a great production team in place consisting of Gail Stephenson as Production Manager, and Elizabeth Giddey and Georgina Pretty as Stage Managers.
Our very busy Short Play Director, Liz de Koster, together with committee members and general members, read the submitted short plays and four have been chosen: Shafted by Tim Fahey; Two Chairs by Lucy Twomey who you will remember as one of the Coco Chanels in More Than a Little Black Dress last year; Tongue Tied by Mark O’Flynn; and Variations by David Caplice. These will be performed in July next year.
We look forward to seeing you all at the General Meeting/Christmas Party at the end of November, and wish everyone a wonderful Christmas and 2024.
If you would like any more information please contact the President, Arwyn Kamarudin.
Arsenic and Old Lace & Workshops
Our last production ARSENIC AND OLD LACE directed by Dot Ward was a sellout success over five performances.
We have just completed a highly successful workshop was held over two weeks, LET’S WRITE A PLAY led by Aubrey Mellor the former head of NIDA. Sixteen keen participants worked hard and the theatre hopes that some short plays may come out of it.
For those interested in acting the next workshop will be held in October with Margaret Davies. It will emphasise the development of character. Margaret has wide experience in acting, directing and writing for theatre.
WORKSHOPS
SPEAKING FOR STAGE
SHOUT OR WHISPER BUT COMMUNICATE WELL WITH THE AUDIENCE AND EACH OTHER.
SATURDAY 10 JUNE, 9.30 – 12.30
BAPTIST HALL, KUBYA ST BLACKHEATH
$30/25
Morning tea included.
Contact Sabine on 0414 185 332 or sabine.erika24@gmail.com.
A WORKSHOP FOR CURIOUS ACTORS
CREATING CHARACTERS for stage
‘Actors must reach out from their habitual selves towards a character, rather than imposing themselves on a character,’ Mike Alfreds
Saturday 7 October
10am – 4pm
Bring your lunch
Cost and venue to be announced on application to 0414 185 332 or sabine.erika24@gmail.com.
With excitement mounting about the production of Arsenic and Old Lace
With excitement mounting about the production of Arsenic and Old Lace we are collecting costumes, props and studying lines.
Rehearsals begin on 30 January and will be regular until opening night on the 13 April. Dot Ward is the Director, a person of considerable experience both in directing and acting and as our foundation Dramaturg.
This is a challenging play, a fast-paced black comedy with some unique characters. They include two sweet ladies who do away with their potential boarders, their nephew who believes he is Teddy Roosevelt, another nephew who is dangerous, a doctor who does plastic surgery and an engaged theatre critic plus several others.
On 21 February we will have a general meeting to chose a new director, a committee member, a Treasurer and directors of the various areas we operate with, technical, publicity, professional development, artistic and short play coordinator.
2022 AGM
At the 2022 AGM the committee reported on the happenings of the past two years during which they met 29 times. Sadly Covid restricted our programmes but we were able produce two plays, The Peach Season by Debra Oswald, a delightful play set in an Australian orchard and More Than a Little Black Dress by Jo Denver based on the life of Coco Chanel. Audiences were delighted with both of these Australian plays. We have been lucky to have a hard-working committee, actors, production teams and technical directors. Special thanks to our retiring Treasurer, Philia Portelli who did a magnificent job keeping us afloat.
We acquired, after months of searching, a garage to store our valuables. We have introduced a new method of choosing our plays by advertising for a Director with a play that he or she would like to direct. Happily we have found the highly experienced Gabiann Marin for our September 2023 production season. The play will be announced soon on our home page. Gaby had directed, acted, written plays, run workshops, and been a stage manager and a mechanist in Canberra and Sydney. She did her training at the Ensemble, the Stables and the Actors Studio. We are delighted to welcome her aboard.
We have also established a grievance committee and a code of conduct. Copies can be obtained from the Secretary, Bronwen Stinson on 0418 693 786.
Over the seven years we have existed we have brought 17 plays to fruition, 5 full length and 12 short plays.
On 21 February we will have a General meeting to elect a treasurer, a president and several directors of our different areas of operation.
Interested people can contact Sabine Erika 0414 185 332 for further information.
