Controversial Australian Playwright Strikes Evolutionary Chord at Prestigious Theatre Festival

Confirmed as an official selection in the main programme of the Short & Sweet festival in Sydney during February 2006, ‘Pornopoly’ is the second Short & Sweet success for Mark Andrew.

(PRWEB) January 19, 2006 -- Report from Bureau: Spotlight. To be directed by Luke Finch, ‘Pornopoly’ is one of several scripts Mark Andrew has submitted to Short and Sweet. It will be presented in five performances during week 2 of the festival from February 7th to 11th at the Seymour Centre in Sydney. ‘Pornopoly’ follows hot on the heels of the premiere of Mark's short play ‘Truth FM’ at the inaugural Melbourne Short & Sweet festival in 2005. ‘Truth FM’ was directed by Vanessa Baylen, and performed by Hamish Pritchard, Christopher A. Stevens, Marnie Gibson and Frances Marrington at The Arts Centre, Melbourne.

In his speech at the opening of Short & Sweet Sydney 2006 on January 17th, Alex Broun, the Artistic Coordinator of Short & Sweet, singled out Mark’s next contribution: “Mark’s play Pornopoly does deserve a special mention as it is sure to create quite a stir with Melbourne assessors calling it “graphic”, “deeply offensive” and “sure to offend absolutely everyone” but Sydney’s assessors liked it enough to put it above other entries and place it straight in the Top 90 where it will be directed by Luke Finch – good luck with that one Luke,” said Mr Broun.

Pornopoly focuses squarely on sex and infidelity, with a draw-droppingly frank approach to evolutionary forces at play in contemporary relationships. "Is this a 'consummate' piece of writing?" said Mark. "At first the idea just batted its eyelids at me, but after a good look at my meme pool, it put its rump in the air and well, basically asked for it. You really can't hold me responsible - I was channelling post-modern woman."

Mark Andrew has also recently completed his first full-length play, ‘Tim Tam Terrorist’, which reframes family power dynamics using Australia’s mateship with America over global terrorism.

About Short & Sweet: The biggest little play festival in the world is set to explode on the Sydney theatre scene again later this month when around 150 new short plays (chosen from a record field of 1168 local and international entries) premiere at a five week season at two parallel venues.

Short & Sweet Sydney 2006 runs from Jan 31 through to March 5 at the Newtown Theatre and Feb 1 – 25 at the Seymour Centre Downstairs with 90 plays (each no longer than 10 minutes long) receiving full productions in a total of nine weekly programmes. Apart from this “Top 90”, another 50+ receiving one-off performances as part of the new “Wildcards” section.

The top ten plays from the season will then progress through to the final in the York Theatre of the Seymour Centre on Friday March 10th.

The brainchild of Newtown Theatre Artistic Director, Mark Cleary and coordinated by Sydney writer/director Alex Broun, Short & Sweet has been described as the “Tropfest of Theatre” (SMH) and “10 minute Theatrical Wonders” (ABC-TV). It now involves over 500 actors, writers, directors, designers and technicians annually in its thrilling melting pot of creative energy.

According to Cleary, the festival “aims to provide a platform for actors, writers and directors to create high quality new work in a professional theatre environment and in so doing showcase their talents to the industry and help foster future employment opportunities”.

”It also allows up-and-coming theatre professionals to learn more about their craft and to provide a supportive environment where established artists may pass on knowledge to newcomers.”

With “full house” signs now a regular sight during the festival at both Newtown and Seymour venues, it is clear Short & Sweet is also developing new audiences for Australian (and international) theatre.

Bookings
MCA Ticketing 1300 306 776 or www.mca-tix.com (Newtown Theatre)
or (02) 9351 7940 (Seymour Centre)

Media: for more information, photos, interviews etc... contact
Geoff Sirmai, Watchdog Communications

###