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This week marks the fifth anniversary of the very popular “Famous for Fifteen Minutes”. A yearly event that allows aspiring local playwrights to submit their plays for a chance at being picked and shown at the finals.

The finalists then get the opportunity to see their work come to life on stage, which is then judged by an outside professional. The winner is then awarded the ‘Golden Inkwell’ award and a cash prize of $250 dollars.

This year’s visiting judge is Kent Stetson, a highly acclaimed writer and director from Canada who has had many successes under his belt. With the highest ever-recorded entries, thirty-two, only six were chosen to stage their work, an even more difficult challenge of the anonymous reading committee.

Hey Sister

The first play was Hey Sister by Kim Dismont Robinson, set in Bermuda the play demonstrates how fallen-out best friends meet unexpectedly and end up having it out about what went wrong with their relationship. So, typically, they blame each other feeling betrayed and hurt by past events. Latisha Lister playing Shannon and Jen Ormond playing Lisa really brought life to quite an ordinary subject. Focusing on issues of race, success, marriage and motherhood their emotional journey sucked you in showing that even the strongest bonds are tarnished but never broken.

The Art Lesson

The Art Lesson by Margie Harriott shows quite a funny but realistic view of how males and females interpret life so differently. A wife and dead husband give totally different descriptions of what is being portrayed in one of his paintings. Art is all about interpretation and I thought it was very clever of Margie to juxtapose the two. Although it took a little time to wind up there were some priceless comic moments from Vicky Zabriskie the wife and David Wallace, the husband known as Ossie.

Start

Start by Doug Jones let us in on this crazy obsession that Ben, played by Stephen Harold, has with video games. Alison Evans playing Suzy his roommate gives a very comical step-by-step take on his daily ritual. This fantasy of his is taking its toll. She then challenges Ben to a game in an attempt to win away from his obsession. I really like the whole idea of this piece as we are taken into the game itself. Oleg Razinnov and Renneka Hill played the action figures and gave a well-choreographed fight, which I thought worked on stage.

He Did It Again

He Did It Again by the youngest of playwrights Zawiditu Maryam is a gripping and horrific tale about a very real situation. A sexually abused young girl takes us through this vivid and horrible journey. Child played by Nicole Burgess and Child Two played by Tamicka Johnson are the two voices of this abused child, one younger than the other. The two actresses gave very touching dramatic performances. This was a courageous piece of writing from such a young playwright.

Listers

Listers by Toby Butterfield followed bringing some comic relief. Theodore Hamilton played by Omar Emery and Ely Glick played by Shawn Angiers are fiends waiting patiently in a hospital to get treatment for Theodore’s wounds. He is a Harvard graduate now street performer that has fallen off his unicycle and burnt himself with his juggling torches. A comedy of errors takes place as Theodore is put in a very awkward position. Omar Emery gave a great performance of Theodore. Not an easy one with all the Popsicle licking and lisping from his “listers” (blisters on his mouth.)

Pandora’s Drawers

Pandora’s Drawers by Julia Pitt is a fun play about humans and sexuality and how even the stuffiest of characters can find some fun in a sex shop. Martin, played by Peter Frith, stumbles into a whole new and exciting world of toys and lingerie. As the play progress we see Martin metamorphose into a more confident character able to make a few purchases for his fiancé. There were some very comical moments that had the audience in stitches. I thought that Julia effectively took a sensitive subject and with the help of these brave actors allowed for us to see it for what it really is.

This festival not only brings out new playwrights but also fresh faces. I thought the actors and directors did a great job. All six plays were brought to life effectively and I think for Kent Stetson it will be a tough decision.[[In-content Ad]]

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