Exit Dark Stage Left - A Collection Of One Act Plays

Exit Dark Stage Left reflects a collection of one-act plays from the strange, bizarre to the outrageously poignant. Never before has a group of one-act plays come from the outer stratosphere.

This book holds a very interesting group of plays. They hit their targets dead centre and hold no punches. Aunt Ethel's Death Notice takes us through the increasingly dirty event of dividing up personal items of a departed loved one; only to find out they are not so much as departed, but moving house. Doped Up Deal provides an insight to the not so glamorous life of cash-strapped everyday city folk trying to make ends meet by selling drugs and the not so friendly drug dealer who won't take no for an answer when they try to quit. Then, it's off to celebrate with Happy Birthday, Christmas Bernii; a thirteen-year old girl with a macabre sense of humour and an intelligent wit to match.

Separating The Dust is a glimpse into the world of two brothers who take off the gloves after the last mourners have departed the funeral service for their mother; one fights for his lions share of the Will and the other fights for his life. Spring is a season of new beginnings, new loves, flowers and sporting events, but Mrs Wentworth-Brewster also feels it's time to spring-clean the tenants of her rooms at her lady's only boarding house and into the vegetable garden. She hopes to learn new skills from her previous tenants.

Richly dark, sometimes humourous, extreme in its social commentary of the human psyche, this collection of one-act plays will have the audience on the edge of their seats right from page one.

SHORT AND SWEET SINGAPORE 2008 FESTIVAL

Four of my one act plays have been short listed for the Short and Sweet Singapore 2008 Festival. It's now up to one of the Directors to pickup one (or more) of the scripts to produce.

The Festival Director has choosen:
- Champagne Ladies
- Fergus' Envy
- Spring
- The Mechanics

Spring is a new one act play written for Play In A Day with Mitcham Theatre, last year.

The scripts, synopsis and more information about the scripts can be viewed at http://www.aussieoneactplays.com/.

Here's hoping one or more scripts are picked up by the Directors for the Festival season.

A Play In A Day - Fasten Your Seat Belts

***** UPDATE *****

SPRING was the latest play to be written by Darren Brealey from Mitcham Theatre Company's amazing season of, "Play In A Day". The President and Committee were so impressed with the ten-minute play, they have asked Darren to extend the story of SPRING into a 30 to 45 minute full length one-act play. In return the theatre company will produce the script during the Victorian One Act Play season that travels around the State of Victoria.

Discussions are also underway to determine the outcome of the suggestion Darren joins the Theatre Company as one of their inhouse playwrights. This is currently under discussion and more details are to come.




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FASTEN YOUR SEAT BELTS, YOU’RE IN FOR A BUMPY RIDE!

Mitcham Theatre Group
Presents

A PLAY IN A DAY

Maroondah Secondary College, Brentnall Road, Croydon
Melways reference: Map 50 / E3

Saturday 29 September 2007

8PM

Bookings and more info can be made on 0500 849 678

6 diverse and interesting plays are presented
to an anticipating audience


I know its short notice and I know you are most likely busy. Cancel your plans. Bring your friends. This is something that only happens every now and then, and there’s only one (1) performance. It all happens in 24 hours. Miss it and you will regret it.

Come and support me in my hour of need – hell, I will have been awake, breathing and eyes wide open, since 5:30AM Friday morning (having been to work Friday and put in my 10 hours) and will be driving to a bed for unconscious sleep Saturday 9AM. Can you stay awake that long? I did during Fergus’ Envy in 2004.

It’s exciting, it’s hair raising and it’s a challenge that has created some of the funniest and most brilliant theatre in living history. Surely you don’t need any more convincing, surely you will be there – I challenge you to look at Fergus’ Envy, written by Darren Brealey (me) in the same vein in 2004 when Waverley Theatre produced the same concept. Fergus’ Envy is a hit play.

Click Here to see a short film clip on You Tube should you need convincing.

Here Is How It Works.

Teams of people including a writer (that’s me), a director and 4 actors work together over a 24 hour period to write a short play based on a theme they have been given only an hour before, block and rehearse the play and then perform it, word perfect (well maybe slightly less than perfect) in front of a very appreciative audience just 24 hours after they started.

Writers arrive at 11pm Friday to begin writing a short play, between 6 and 10 pages long, based on the theme they have been given that night and incorporating any of the actors’ ‘special talents’.

Directors arrive at 7am Saturday for a meeting with their writer. After the meeting, the weary and forlorn writer goes to sleep in a bed, hopefully nearby.

Actors arrive at the theatre at 8am Saturday ready to work against the clock to block the play and learn lines ready for a performance that evening.

Go to the You Tube link above to see there are no scripts in hand.

The plays are performed, curtain up at 8PM that night, Saturday 29 September 2007.

The cost is only $12 per person and you will receive pre-show Sherries and wine and nibbles after the show. This will be a unique experience for you so make sure you don’t miss out.

Bookings and more info can be made on 0500 849 678

Be guaranteed the ride of your life, it will only take up 24 hours of your time.

Performing The Goat – A Collection Of One Act Plays

Performing The Goat – A Collection Of One Act Plays is gradually proving itself as a fresh and entertaining resource for actors and theatre groups. Its success speaks for itself in festivals and acting classes. The collection of one act plays contained in Performing The Goat has proven successful for on stage productions in standalone events.

Kyneton Theatre Company in the north west of Victoria (Australia) performed Fergus’ Envy and Champagne Ladies during the 49th Kyneton Daffodil and Arts Festival in 2005. The two scripts individually won, the Adjudicator Award for Best New Play; winning two cash prizes.

Scone Acting Dramatic Society (SCADS) in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales (Australia) performed The Mechanics from Performing The Goat in May and June 2007 during the Scone Horse and Arts Festival. Its success and audience appreciation was proven by full houses to ten performances.

Performing The Goat remains a great inspiration to actors and theatre groups looking for something original and fresh. The Millfield Youth Theatre Company's acting classes (London) used Fergus' Envy and Champagne Ladies contained in Performing The Goat. The response from their students was that of great joy and success. To quote: "They (the scripts) were the hit of Milfield last night...” relating to the actor’s enjoyment from using fresh scripted ideas.

I encourage you to post your comments relating to Performing The Goat – A Collection Of One Act Plays. Provide your comments about this brilliant resource and how you’ve enjoyed using the scripts contained in this book.

Visit your online bookshop for more information about this outstanding actors resources.

News and Updates

Short Film Expressions Of Interest

Experienced and responsible film production groups are asked to express their interest in filming and producing two short films, Eat Up, Tiger or/and Nomad, written by Darren Brealey. The optimal group would have their own crew and equipment, are production ready and are professional operators. Darren Brealey is seeking a group of serious artisans who follow guidelines, obey council and state laws, and understand and follow OH&S standards.

Canberra One Act Play Festival

Separating The Dust is entered into the 2007 Canberra One Act Play Festival for consideration as a stand alone script. A Director for the festival was attempted, unfortunately due to bad timing a Director and Cast were not found in time for it to be performed (maybe next year). It has been entered into the festival and will be judged as an entered stand alone script. Judging takes place on the weekend of 29 / 30 September 2007. I await with anticipation.

Jally Productions

Jally Productions are seeking scripts for their one act play festival in South East Queensland. They contacted Darren Brealey seeking new Australian one act plays for their 2008 festival season. They are considering a number of his scripts and are due to make their decision, hopefully, by the end of 2007.