SHORT+SWEET 2013

Theatre for the time poor … or maybe that should be, theatre for the very short attention spanned.

Short+Sweet, the ‘biggest little play festival in the world’ is now in its 12th season. Every play runs for 10 minutes or thereabouts and with sparse sets and quick changeovers, expect an evening of breathless exuberance. For those in the industry or for those who wannabe, this is like speed dating – emerging writers meet directors meet actors meet audience.

It’s a diverse and accessible lineup of 140 skits – from iconic actor-director Lex Marinos (The Slap) to winners of S+S around Australia and internationally. Chennai-based theatre company, Stray Factory, have brought their play My Name is Cine Ma. Having won in Chennai, Mumbai and KL, they now have their sights set on Sydney.

Not sure what to choose? A few of the more intriguing titles include: Zombie Love, Conversation at a Urinal, A Cripple Talks About Anatomy, My Dad Oughta be PM, Chaos Theory and Butterflies, My Name is Trevor: I was Kidnapped by Aliens and Harry Potter in Ten Minutes – proving that the line-up is certainly not short on imagination.

Says Festival Director Peter Malicki (who is himself showcasing a play in 2013 entitled Checkout): “Short+Sweet creates opportunities; that is why I’m so passionate about the festival. Artists are exposed to a huge number of producers, agents, venue managers, arts administrators, audience of course and – arguably of most importance – fellow artists. The alchemy of the Short+Sweet formula is its magical appeal.”

Jan 7–Mar 23, King Street Theatre, 644 King St, Newtown & Sidetrack Theatre, 142 Addison Rd, Marrickville, $27-35, shortandsweet.org

BY GREG WEBSTER