Winners announced for inaugural Geelong Short Play Festival

SIX original works have been selected as the winners of the inaugural Geelong Short Play Festival, with each set to be brought to life on stage later this year.

Organised by the Geelong Writers community group, the festival invited submissions of 15-minute plays featuring no more than five characters and dialogue able to invoke something in the audience.

Each submission was assessed blind, with the judges considering elements such as dramatic structure and conflict, the quality of the dialogue, strength of characterisation and emotional engagement, use of setting with a preference for simple staging, the clarity of the creative concept and overall formatting.

The winning plays are:

· The Duffel Bag, a comedic play written by Kim Rance that follows two criminals arguing over the details a heist. Chair of the judging panel Jennie Kellaway said it was “a standout” chosen for its clever construction.

The Dippy Egg by Melinda Bunting, an exploration of the simple pleasures in life through an interaction between a chef and a food critic. The premise captured the judges’ attention, Ms Kellaway said.

Hydrangeas and Lilies by Belinda Donald, a relatable and touching play, selected for the quality of its dialogue, about how the relationship between a child and parent evolves as they both age.

The Prodigal Daughter by Paloma Leon, a “moving” and poetic monologue inspired by The Prodigal Son.

Out of Nowhere, a “cleverly constructed” and “very funny” play by Paul Bucci that follows a house meeting between four roommates who desperately need to grow up; and

Hear No Evil by Steve Brown, which presents a confession of historical significance.

Ms Kellaway praised the efforts of all who submitted entries and urged anyone who was unsuccessful this year not to be deterred.

“Have a go again, and go see some community theatre,” she said.

Each of the winning plays will now be performed at Geelong Arts Centre on November 7 and 8 by local theatre companies.

“There’s something for everybody,” Ms Kellaway said. “There is definitely some comedy. There’s some pathos. There’s some scary stuff, to be honest.”

“You need to walk away from theatre and go ‘That really made me think’, or ‘I can relate to that’ and I think audience will find something they can relate to and think about.

“We’ve got such a range of talent here in Geelong, and the arts are so vibrant here.”

More details will be released closed to the date.