Sharpies at Wollongong Workshop Theatre

Wollongong Workshop Theatre is bringing a set of local one-act plays to the stage in August 2023. Written by Illawarra playwright David Sharpe, Sharpies is a smorgasbord of eight one-act plays in one show:

Maggie & Miklos: A reclusive widow goes on an unexpected rescue mission.

Chain of Events: A chance discovery makes an ordinary couple turn to crime.

Mrs Smith of Sydney: An aging rock star meets an old friend with a new story.

Best Served Cold: A culinary love triangle serves up a spicy treat.

To Feel the Cold: Two future nerds watch their world change forever.

Mandragora: A terrible accident puts a young man in two minds.

Next: Three actors up for the same role question their life choices.

How Awesome Met His Match: An internet love story plays out to the tune of Banjo Paterson.

David Sharpe wrote his first play, Next, for Workshop’s 24-Hour Theatre event in 2006. Since then, his short plays have been performed at various venues in Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra and Melbourne, and internationally, in places as diverse as New Zealand, Dubai and Malaysia. In 2009, Mandragora toured around Australia with Shorter + Sweeter, having won a range of prizes at Short + Sweet festivals in Sydney and Melbourne, and was the subject of an episode of a Foxtel documentary series. Chain of Events and How Awesome Met his Match have both been performed in short play events for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. His first full-length play, The Empire of Soap, was developed with Merrigong Theatre Company and was shortlisted for the Richard Burton Award for New Plays. His second, I am Tichborne, will get on stage one day, he promises. As well as writing plays, he has acted in and directed in many plays for Workshop Theatre starting with Arsenic and Old Lace in 1998.

Sharpies is co-directed by Peter and Juliet Scrine, both of whom have been involved in the Illawarra theatre community for many years.

“Juliet and I are really excited to be bringing to the stage this collection of exceptional entertaining stories. We have assembled a wonderful cast that bring to life David’s characters and a dedicated production team who are working hard to make the shows sparkle.”

The 17-strong cast features some longstanding Workshop favourites alongside talented newcomers. Some of the cast are reprising roles that were originally written especially for them.

Sharpies plays at the Wollongong Workshop Theatre in Gwynneville from August 4 until August 19.  

Performances: 8pm Fridays and Saturdays / 2pm Sundays

Venue: Wollongong Workshop Theatre, 190 Gipps Road Gwynneville (behind the Senior Citizens Centre)

Tickets $30 / $25 concession

To book, visit https://www.wollongongworkshoptheatre.com.au