New Writings - The Shorts

The Dilys Guite Players present a great opportunity to introduce more new and innovative writing to be performed in their beautiful theatre. Highlighted here are talented local writers along with authors from the USA, Canada, and New Zealand. This may be the first outing for their work, and it also presents openings for developing and aspiring directors.

These 10 very cleverly written creations show different styles and subjects from comedy, murder, gangsters, and philosophy - all with totally unexpected endings. As one play ended, the stage crew changed the scene ready for the next one and all done within the blink of an eye.

There are a total of 25 different characters, with several actors taking on different roles and with some also taking the opportunity to direct. When an actor has only 10–15-minutes to put across a story line and set the scene, they need to be spot-on the moment they step on to the stage. With so many different styles of writing, acting, and characterisations, each member of the cast gave first-class performances and brought their characters to life. This made us laugh, be amazed, and even feel sorry for their characters within a very short of space of time.

Briefly, the writings consisted of:

Amusing Willie - by Donald Loftus and Directed by Joe Otten

Could William Shakespeare take criticism about his plays?

Willie – Hal Grayson, Calliope - Maen Gallagher, Thalia - Anna Thornton, Erato - Samantha Oldham.

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Every Seven Minutes - by Ken Preuss and Directed by Jack Hewitt

A comic and cosmic training session - what is life about when a computer makes decisions regarding other peoples’ lives? This sounds like the start of AI.

Worker - Lucy Bytheway, Newbie - Bethany Whitaker.

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Gruesome Gift - by Rex McGregor and Directed by Simon Naylor

An American gangster presents a suitcase to a shop assistant with something inside that could have come from “The Godfather”. He asks her to wrap it for him.

Gladys - Lauren Dorman, Softie - Phil Eardley.

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Holey Boats - by Martyn Wragg and Directed by Caitlin Sharp

Josh is walking on the moors and discovers Peter who has fallen into old mine workings. The question is: does Josh help him? There was a surprise at the end.

Peter - Andrej Panic, Josh - Ryan Pugh.

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The Wakers - by Guy R Newsham and Directed by Lee Moore

Humanity is told to take a hibernation pill to save the planet’s resources. One couple disagree that they should sleep their lives away.

Man - Christopher Paul, Woman - Anna Thornton.

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Bovine Existential - by Brian C Petti and Directed by Phil Eardley

Two stable-mate cows are in a waiting pen at a slaughterhouse. They have different ideas as to their fate and they plot to escape. (After watching this play I’m glad I don’t eat beef)

 Cow 1 - Sash Steele, Cow 2 - Sue Burgess.

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The Invisible Tourist - by Ceinwen Edwards and Directed by Anna Thornton, Assisted by Steve Eddison

Why does a retired and respectable lady at a rural bus stop offer food and drink to a total stranger? To poison him, of course, and just for something to do.

Hilda - Heather Sawrey, Sam - San Graham-Levers.

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Everything’s Under Control - by Cherielyn Ferguson and Directed by Lucy Bytheway and Bethany Whitaker

Set in 1951 when plastic bottles, wrappers, and all things disposable were coming into being.

Bob, a researcher, tries to convince his wife that this is the way forward. If we only know then what we know now.

Bob - Joe Otten, Marian – Corrie Houton.

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Interview With a Time Traveller - by Nick and Brad Tait and Directed by Christopher Paul

A time traveller is arrested for killing a man and he explains that his consciousness jumps from body to body across time, but his mission is to kill people who commit atrocities. 

Detective - Lindsay Ladhams, Constable Lee - San Graham-Levers, Leo - James Valentine,

Mrs Collins - Sue Burgess.

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My Work Friend’s Boyfriend - by Lucy Singer and Directed by Maen Gallagher

Katie wants to introduce her new boyfriend to her best friend, Sophie. Great, but not when the boyfriend turns out to be Sophie’s father.  

Katie - Rosie Pearsall, Sophie - Paigan Gibbons, Michael - Nigel Turner.

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The audience’s reaction to the differing content of these plays ranged from fits of laughter to giving food for thought. This was all very cleverly put together by the producers, Christopher Paul and Nigel Turner, and it all flowed with ease. The applause and cheering at the end said it all.

Congratulations to the actors, directors, back-stage crew, costumes and technical team, and everyone else involved with these different presentations of writing and acting.

Thank you for the invite and hospitality and a very different type of theatre entertainment which I enjoyed immensely.

 

Sue Cox  NE Drama Reg 14. 

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