Copacabana playwright Sally Bartley is one of eight writers from all over the country to have their work selected for performance at the inaugural Sage Age Short Play Competition in Sydney on March 24.
Chosen from 164 entries, the eight short plays will be performed by an all-star cast headed by award-winning actor Sandy Gore.
Gore has had an extensive stage career including multiple credits with the Melbourne and Sydney Theatre Companies and her TV credits include the hit series Prisoner and Brides of Christ.
The competition, open exclusively to seniors, was the brainchild of Scene Theatre Sydney’s artistic director, Carol Dance.
“This is probably the first time there has ever been a competition exclusively for people aged 60 and over,” Dance said.
“We mounted this project to encourage older people to write plays and become involved in live theatre.
“And write they did.
“We were thrilled to receive 164 great entries from all over the country, clearly demonstrating the creativity, energy and enthusiasm of older people.”
Two of Australia’s best-known playwrights, Justin Fleming and Stephen Sewell, assessed the entries and made the difficult decision to select the eight winners.
Bartley’s play, Walk a Mile, sees the long-time friendship of Alex and Ray put under strain when Ray marries a younger woman.
Alex’s wife Sophia is getting hot flushes and is really not too fond of the younger Fiona.
As the four gather for a dinner party, the arguments begin and it looks as though the women will never find common ground.
“I am a Central Coast actress and playwright,” Bartley said.
“I have lived in Copacabana for 33 years and am a life member of Wyong Drama Group.
“I have acted in too many plays to mention, (my most recent role) being the adult Jean Louise in To Kill A Mockingbird.
“I have had many of my short plays performed in festivals such as Short and Sweet (Sydney, Canberra and New Delhi), Woy Woy Little Theatre’s Flash Festival and Port Players’ Festival of One Act Plays.”
The other seven playwrights to have their Sage Age Short Plays performed are Connery Brown of Mortdale, Paul Clarke of Brisbane, Paul Bucci of Geelong, Kerri Gay of Tasmania, Katrina Samaras of Wollongong, Steve North of Grafton and Donna Spillane of Seddon, Victoria.
Directing the performance is Ryan Whitworth-Jones, holder of a Masters in Fine Arts, Directing from NIDA.
At the piano Victor Spiegel will perform his latest compositions at the soirée-styled event.
Sage to Stage will be performed at 3pm on Sunday, March 24, at Philharmonia Hall, Wharf 4/5, 15 Hickson Rd, Walsh Bay.
For further details and booking visit https://events.humanitix.com/sage-to-stage