Two original plays have been submitted to the Queenstown theatrical society so far and at least two are in the works. More are expected by the deadline of November 30 for what is believed to be the first Pint-Size Plays competition in New Zealand.
The competition calls for aspiring playwrights to enter scripts of five to 10 minutes' duration to be performed in a pub by one to three actors or actresses, playing as many characters as needed and using simple props.
A Welsh theatre company which originated the Pint-Size Plays concept offered to supply Remarkable Theatre with as many past plays as required, but the Queenstown troupe is keen for Wakatipu writers to get involved
Competition co-ordinator, actor, writer and director David Cantwell, of Queenstown, said this week the audience would judge the most interesting, funny, dramatic, or outrageous play as their favourite on the night.
"Remarkable Theatre will provide directors and cast, although if they would like to provide them, they could, but it's an anonymous competition for audience objectivity," Mr Cantwell said.
Aspiring playwrights are invited to email davidcantwell@xtra.co.nz for information, advice and a sample script, plus forms, and to submit plays. A $10 fee per entry will help cover costs.
Pint-Size Plays is not the only production planned by Remarkable Theatre this summer.
Play-reading for the public begins at the new venue of the Wild Thyme Restaurant and Bar in Skycity Queenstown Casino on February 3 and the first Sunday of each month afterwards.
The play, cast and director are yet to be finalised because the company is concentrating on staging Twisted Tales in the Queenstown Gardens as part of the Summerdaze Festival on January 25 to 27.
Theatre committee member Victoria Keating directs the fourth consecutive season of promenade theatre, this time an original hour-long show blending drama and music to revisit fairy tales and characters with a modern and unexpected twist.
Remarkable Theatre will stage the hit British comedy Calendar Girls, written by Tim Firth, in September next year.
