Summer Short Play Festival

ROUND ONE

"How Not to Write a Play" by Bill Petch

Gilbert and Sullivan, Kaufman and Hart, Nichols and May...theatre has a long history of great writing partnerships. The bumbling pair in Bill Petch's "How Not to Write a Play" isn't one of them. It's a play about how hard it is to write a play and even harder to get to the end before the lights fade...mercifully...to black.

"Tea With Roger" by Peter Paylor

Mavis and Joan have some catching up to do. They haven’t seen each other since Mavis met Roger. A quiet cup of tea may be just what they need. Just the two of them. But…wait. What is that noise? Raccoons? Badgers? It seems to be coming from the closet. Could it be…? Is it…? Are the two of them really alone…? Find out in “Tea With Roger” written by Peter Paylor and featuring Belleville’s award-winning queens of stage comedy, Kathryn Dalmer and Judie Preece.

"Molson! Molson! Wherefore Art Thou?" by Beth Milligan

Molson is young, brash and single, a rugged Bernese Mountain Dog with an eye for the ladies. Well, for one Lady at least, and she has her eye on Molson...despite his unfortunate name. But, what’s in a name? Molson and Lady. They’re the star-crossed canine lovers in Beth Milligan’s uproarious comedy “Molson! Molson! Wherefore Art Thou”.

"Sweaters" by Lisa Morris

Lenny fell off the roof and broke his leg in three places. Now he’s stuck in a nursing home until it heals. Tessa’s stuck there too, as part of her probation. She’s also stuck with Lenny. He’s in his seventies. His musical tastes were formed in the sixties. Tessa’s in her twenties. Her musical tastes are still forming. They do agree on one thing—that Tony Bennett is cool. Make that two things—neither one of them likes people. And that makes it hard for Mrs. Walker. She runs the place. She’s stuck with them both. It’s really not so bad, though. You see…people are like sweaters. Find out how in “Sweaters”, a delightful short play written and directed by Lisa Morris.

ROUND TWO

“Maybe Flowers” by Peter Paylor

Arthur is a burglar. He inherited the family business. He can steal almost anything. Constance is filthy rich. She inherited the family fortune. She can buy almost anything…unless, of course, it’s not for sale. That's why she needs Arthur. Together, they go on a middle-of-the-night mission to steal a priceless painting from a gallery but what they find there is something more valuable. “Maybe Flowers” is a heart-warming comedy about the things money can’t buy…like dreaming and family and friendship.

“En Garde” by Ian C Feltham

“Driving up Sidney Street in Belleville, on my way to work every day, I used to see an old fellow in full crossing guard regalia sitting on the corner in a lawn chair. He would have his trusty scooter by his side. There he sat, every morning and afternoon, regardless of the weather. I would often wonder…what was his story?” That’s the story behind “En Garde”, a one-man tour de force about winning and losing in love and in life…and in fencing.

“About Her” by David Allen

When a loving husband, a man of faith, a successful CEO comes face-to-face with his wife’s mental health issues and then her cancer, he decides it’s time to come face-to-face with his God. “About Her” is a brilliant, personal, and brutally honest monologue about a man losing his way in the world in the face of his doubts…and the woman who refuses to let him get lost.

“Last Rites” by Guy Newsham

What would you admit to if you only had a few minutes left to live, or if you had an eternity? A priest visits a prisoner on Death Row, thirty minutes before the prisoner's scheduled execution. The prisoner is searching for a purpose in his life, and is ready to confess his sins, but only if the priest goes first. That’s “Last Rites” by Guy Newsham, winner of the prestigious Canadian National One Act Playwriting Competition in 2021 along with numerous other awards.

ROUND THREE: Modern Romance

"We'll Always Have PARIS", written by Marc Coyle, directed by David Allen

Marc Coyle's debut play is a shout-out to old-time movies and old-time romance, set in a dive bar called PARIS. "We'll Always Have PARIS" is as moving as it is funny and it's as funny as funny can get. It's pure comic gold. Director David Allen brings out the best from a brilliant cast that will send audiences home with a smile.

"Skip", written by Guy Newsham, directed by Lisa Morris

Two strangers meet on a beach. Will their brief encounter be spun into a lasting connection, or will they throw it all away? Sometimes you do get a second chance to make a first impression. Danielle Marks and Teresa Marie Allen shine in this sweet little 10-minute romance.

"Alexa the Liar", written by Guy Newsham, directed by Teresa Marie Allen

Adam wants answers, Alexa has other ideas. When Adam engages his smart speaker to help him find love and gain a promotion, he discovers that Alexa is smarter than he thought. A play about intelligence, both artificial and emotional. Serafima Ostrovskaya as Adam will have audiences rooting for a happy ending to this brilliant twist on modern romance.