Categories: News

The show must go on: A short and not so sweet story

Just The Ticket preview - both actors had learned the play earlier that morning. Image by Kerry Fluhr

Short+Sweet Sydney is well underway at King Street Theatre Newtown, sailing smoothly into week three of this year’s festival.

But this week has been anything but smooth for Pete Malicki, Artistic Director of the short play festival, who received a call on Monday from director John Wood in a panic.

An actor in Wood’s play Just the Ticket – set to preview the next night – had come down with pneumonia and was in hospital. Pete (ever the optimist) eventually talked Wood into finding a replacement who could perform the show with just one day’s rehearsal.

Amazingly, Wood found an actor and started organising urgent extra rehearsals. Problem solved…

Two hours later, in even more of a panic, Wood called again. In a twist like a Hollywood comedy, his other actor had also been hospitalised – with pneumonia!

Another stand-in was organised and after meeting at 9am Tuesday morning, the team swatted, rehearsed and performed the show that night.

More impressive still, they were both ‘off-book’ (no script in hand) by Wednesday’s opening night.

To the actors who saved the day: Michelle Pastor and Alastair Buchanan – take a bow!

The piece by Newcastle writer Sally Davies – one of ten in this week’s program – is about a young man attempting to avoid a parking ticket…

Photo by Kerry Fluhr from the preview performance attached…

www.shortandsweet.org.sydney

– gs

Erin James

Erin James is AussieTheatre.com's former Editor in Chief and a performer on both stage and screen. Credits include My Fair Lady, South Pacific and The King and I (Opera Australia), Love Never Dies and Cats (Really Useful Group), Blood Brothers (Enda Markey Presents), A Place To Call Home (Foxtel/Channel 7) and the feature film The Little Death (written and directed by Josh Lawson).

Recent Posts

Sting To Star In THE LAST SHIP At Theatre Royal Drury Lane

Music icon Sting will return to the stage in a newly adapted production of his…

1 day ago

Broadway’s Biggest Night: What To Watch For At The Tony Awards

Broadway’s biggest night is fast approaching, with the Tony Awards set to celebrate another busy…

1 day ago

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRDHARPER Opens at The Genesian Theatre

The Genesian Theatre Company is proud to present a moving new production of Harper Lee’s…

2 days ago

The Songs Of John Farnham: A Living Legend The Celebration Concert

Minister for Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos, together with producers Tony Cochrane AM and…

2 days ago

Lanterns Light Up Liverpool in Powerhouse Debut

Liverpool City Council’s much-loved celebration of Asian culture and cuisine, Lanterns and Lights, returns on…

2 days ago

The Australian Premiere of Tootsie Opens Tonight at Teatro

The Australian Premiere of the smash-hit Broadway musical Tootsie, officially opens at Teatro at the…

2 days ago