It’s only April yet a lot has already happened in 2011.  The play Catastrophe seems to be talking Australia and the world by storm. 

NOT QUITE CABARET – MELBOURNE

Cabaret style evening of 6 short plays that will take you on an adventure of hilarious, quirky & romantic moments!
Not to be missed!

Roll up Roll up! Not Quite Cabaret Presents A Six Pack of Plays, laid out in the traditional Cabaret style in the superb Paddington Arms. With a knockout programme and stellar cast, you are guaranteed a wonderful evening of entertainment!

The evening is a perfect snapshot of contemporary Australian comedy theatre, featuring a showcase of Australian talent; writers, directors and actors. This is not theatre as you know it, this is theatre for the everyday show-goer, an easy going relaxed evening of light entertainment enjoyed with a meal of your choice and a glass of your favourite tipple.

THE BEST OF PLAYTIME - Imagine Festival.

Kate Buchanan - MELODY.

MELODY was once again performed this time at the BEST OF PLAYTIME.  Kate Buchanan played MELODY and Liane Norman directed.  I heard a lot of great reviews about it and am very proud of both Kate and Liane.  Thank you ladies!

Dona Parise
Dona has been writing for many years. She’s written over 70 scripts and has had 38 of them produced. Her passion for script writing was evident at the age of 12. She’s attended many courses ranging from Alex Broun’s playwriting weekend course, to script writing for TV and Film and Directing Intensive at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA). Dona is also a qualified journalist. She now averages one play performance in Sydney each month. She writes, directs, produces and sometimes acts. Her plays have been performed in Griffith NSW, Wagga Wagga, Lithgow, Melbourne, Sydney and Los Angeles. She’s participated in four Short and Sweet festivals in Sydney, two Ten x 10 festivals in Wagga Wagga, Stage Rage, Writers Anonymous and is a regular contributor to Playtime – held monthly at the World Bar in Sydney. She has written, directed and produced short films screened at Newtown Flicks and Caught Short at the Tap Gallery also in Sydney. She enjoys directing when she gets the chance.

Her ideas stem from life and she writes character-driven scripts. She’s disciplined and extremely passionate about theatre and film. She is cons
tantly learning how to entertain audiences and writes comedy as well as drama – monologues and casts of up to 10, short 10 minute, One act and full length plays.

07.12.2010
Alastair Buchanan and Kate Avery

Alastair Buchanan and Kate Avery

 

Dona’s second Crash Test Drama stint landed her with HONEY winning the popular audience vote and now will be in the Crash Test Drama Finals on 2nd August 2010.  Dona directed HONEY and the cast members were Alaistar Buchanan, Katy Avery, Alana Worsley and Dudy Jap. 

When Mia requests John  to pour honey all over and…….. well the night looks like it might go very well,  until Mia’s friend Megan makes a desperate call to her saying she needs to come over to discuss the issues her and her boyfriend are having. That puts a spanner in the works and John and   

Dudy Jap and Alana Worsley

Dudy Jap and Alana Worsley

Mia’s night turns out far from sweet.  

Will update after the final in August 2010.

There’s going to be some fierce competition, but it’s going to be a great night!  Alastair also won ‘best runner up actor’ on the night.  i also had a protegee’, Maite Carvell, who will make also be my protegee’  at the finals next month. 

Break a leg everyone.  Let’s make it as sweet as we can.

07.12.2010
Alastair Buchanan, Heidi Lupprian, Valentino Arico, Celia Kelly and Aaron Nilan

Alastair Buchanan, Heidi Lupprian, Valentino Arico, Celia Kelly and Aaron Nilan

 

Another Playtime Production, ONLINE OFFSIDE, premiered at the World Bar in Sydney in June 2010.   Nic and his ex wife Cynthia compete yet again.  Nic wants his ex to think he’s ‘moved on’ with his life and is now seeing the very sexy yet very quite Giorgia.  His life couldn’t be better.  Cynthia only wants to brag about her new man Alex.  In this play, nothing is what it appears to be.  Alex and Gioria have more in common than anyone realises. The play was directed by Nir Shelter and featured: Valentino Arico, Celia Kelly, Heidi Lupprian, Aaron Nilan and Alastair Buchanan.

                               Afternoon tea with sex and scones pic                     

AFTERNOON TEA WITH SEX AND SCONES has now had 5 productions!  Not sure if it’s the scones that audiences like.  Playtime is a monthly event held at the World Bar in Sydney. The play was directed by Nir Shelter, Cast: Fleur Beaupert, Mollie King, Valentino Arico.   Synopsis, what happens when a partner from a happy couple wants to try something new?.. what happens when the both people in that couple are female.. and what happens when they invite a hetero male over for some scones?

There's always on person who does all the work and the other gets all the credit.

There's always on person who does all the work and the other gets all the credit.

 

Yet another play, closer to home this time, in Wagga Wagga.  The festival is in it’s second year and a great night was had by all.  ‘A day at the office’ was directed by Margaret Bannister and Sandra was played by Jo Darby and Tom was played by Joe Nour. 

The 10 plays selected showcased some extraordinary talent and other playwrights who featured were Kate Toon, Alex Broun, Dean Lundquist and Mick Radatti, to name a few.

 

Director Liane Norman, Actress Kate Buchanan and Me

Director Liane Norman, Actress Kate Buchanan and Me

 

MELODY was performed in Sydney in March 2010.  The story of an elderly woman, who is terminally ill and has not family or friends left.  It was very touching and was enjoyed by the audience.   PLAYTIME is a monthly event and will have quite a few of my plays on show.  Thank you to Kate Buchanan who played Melody and to Liane Norman for directing.

dona nida (2)

Leo Domingan, Cindi Knapton, Me, Gerry Sont and Maite Carvell

038

Felicity Nicol and I

037

Me and Rhys Muldoon

The Artist recognition awards are awards presented to artists who have contributed in 3 or more Short and Sweet Festivals.  A Bronze award for 3 or more festivals, Silver for 5 or more and Gold for 10 or more.  The host on the night was Alex Broun, Australia’s most performed and prominent 10 minute playwright.  The presenter of the awards was Rhys Muldoon.  I have participated in 4 festivals and with any luck it’ll be 5 in 2011 and many more by 2014.

After the wonderful Week 5 of Short and Sweet (the biggest 10 minute play festival in the word!) competition was tough!  A lot of time and energy goes into rehearsing and each performance night is different.    There were dramas, absurd comedies and wonderfully written plays as well.

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