Briefs

Briefs 20: Line-up and cast revealed for milestone show

Briefs marks its 20th show this Thursday at Waterloo East Theatre, as eight more pieces take to the stage; bringing our running total up to an incredible 155 since 2013.

Grab tickets now from the theatre box office here.

And here they are, in no particular order:

OYSTERS by Rachel Tookey

Roberta Morris directs Alfie Garston and George Rennie in this romantic comedy with an… unlikely setting.

A SHORT PRESENTATION BY THEATRESOFT INC OF CALIFORNIA by Anthony Bardos

Flora Sowerby and Isobel Witcomb star in this sharp look at the possible future of acting. Saskia Marland directs.

Extract from PACIFISM, ASTROLOGY AND 98 OTHER WAYS TO COPE WITHOUT CAKE by Mariella Johnson

Ciara Morris performs a powerful monologue from a larger work-in-progress piece. Georgia Leanne Harris directs.

LOVE AND EXES by Shaun Kitchener

A woman harbouring deep feelings for her flatmate tries desperately to stop her getting back with her ex in this chaotic comedy. Rachel Bradley, Rowena Gray, Peter Hardingham, Sharita Oomeer and Maria Rillstone star, with writer Kitchener also directing.

DEAD PRICK by Gaia Sorcha Fenn

There’s the small matter of a dead body to sort out in this brilliantly dark piece; performed by Charlotte Christie and Chioma Nwalioba. Luke Howarth directs.

DEATH IN TECHNICOLOR by Jennifer Tyler

This rip-roaring comedy musical unites Miranda Harrison, Rachael Hilton, writer Jennifer Tyler and Florence Wright. Tyler and Wright also co-direct, with music production from Adrian Zookrow.

FATHER’S DAY by Jonathan Skinner

An attempt at parenthood brings two people together in unconventional circumstances in this piece; performed by Ben Fensome and Helen Oakleigh. Michelle Payne directs.

MODERN LOVE by Felix O’Brien

When a married couple invite a guy over for a threesome, the newcomer doesn’t get the experience he bargained for. Jonathan Gabony, Matthew Grove and Josh Harvey star, with Ed Theakston directing.

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Briefs 19: Line-up revealed as new writing night passes 5th birthday

More than five years after a modest debut at the Rosemary Branch in 2013, Briefs is gearing up for its 19th edition – complete with one of the strongest line-ups yet.

Nine new short pieces will be staged at the Waterloo East Theatre on Thursday 6th September, courtesy of an incredible collective of writers, actors and directors.

BUY TICKETS HERE.

In no particular order, the pieces on offer this time are:

OF LOVE LETTERS AND SUICIDE NOTES by Eva Carroll

Josie Farmer directs this beautifully written two-hander about grief and family. Abigail Lawrie and Will Pinhey star.

TAXIDERMICON by Lewis Garvey

Lewis Garvey writes and directs this dark comedy set at a somewhat unusual convention, with a cast including Abigail Bailey, Amber Muldoon, George Ronayne and Freddie Van Der Velde.

OPPOSITES DETRACT by Rhiannon Tricklebank-Owens

Two friends – one of whom has recently become a parent – address their vastly different lives, and their perceptions of each-other, in this warm comedy – performed by Sharita Oomeer and Natalie Winter, with direction from Nat Kennedy.

BABY LOVE by Madeline Gould

Sam Barrett directs Jeannie Dickinson, Ross Kernahan and Kate Llewellyn in this dark piece that gradually exposes a deeply unsettling undercurrent.

Extract from IN THE BLUE (working title) by Shaun Kitchener

Miles Parker directs Dan Connolly and Ben Fensome in this first scene from a longer mid-development piece, in which a hook-up between two strangers gets more than a little awkward.

BIRTHDAY by Amy Guyler

Robbie Curran and Rosa French play two people chatting online – where there’s more to it than meets the eye. Simon Paris directs.

TWELVE by Shamini Bundell

Carl Blades, Paul Giddings and Aidan Valentine play three footmen with no idea they are supporting players in one of the most iconic stories of all time. Rob Ellis directs.

EXQUISITE CORPSE by Beth Crane

A dead woman has quite the story to tell in this darkly comic monologue, directed by Danäe Cambrook and performed by Julia Pagett.

INCENDIARY by Mark Jones

A fiery monologue – in more ways than one – performed by Chris Hoskins, with direction from Emily Layton.

BUY TICKETS HERE.

Briefs turns 18: Submit short scripts for new writing night

Our new writing night Briefs is well-rested after an eight month break – and now, sporting a lovely tan, it’ll be returning to London’s Waterloo East Theatre on Thursday, March 22 for its 18th edition.

This means you have until Friday, February 16 to submit short scripts for the night.

No lavish formats, no themes – just send in what you’ve got; whether it’s a standalone piece or an extract from a longer work-in-progress. Monologue, sketch comedy, musical, the use of a dustpan as a wine glass… we’ve seen it all, and we’re open to (…pretty much) anything – as long as it’s approximately ten minutes long, and relatively easy to stage in a scratch night environment.

West Avenue will assign each chosen piece with a cast and director, but if you already have artists attached, that’s fine – just make sure you make that clear when you submit. The only stipulation is that everyone is free on the afternoon of Thursday, March 22, for the tech and dress rehearsals. It’ll be the director’s job to sort rehearsals – typically pieces tend to rehearse two or three times before the big day. This being a fringe-based, low-fi, large-cast show, unfortunately there is no payment for any of us involved.

Send us the script and any questions you may have to hello@westavenue.co by end of play on Friday, February 16. Page numbers are a big plus, and so is a PDF.

Briefs 17: Line-up and casting revealed

Briefs is back for its 17th show in four years this Friday, July 7, with eight more short pieces on offer.

Tickets are on sale right now (click here), and here’s what’s in store:

The Archivist by Beth Crane

A woman who insists she isn’t a hoarder talks us through her somewhat extensive collection of mementos. Charlotte Christie stars, with direction from Nat Kennedy.

But Seriously, Where’s My Hypercolour? by Rhiannon Tricklebank-Owens

A couple coming to terms with no longer being “young people” are visited by their decidedly millennial neighbour. Paul Boyd, Kiki Darlowe and Jennifer Tyler star, with direction from Penny Peters.

Empty by Anne-Sophie Marie

Carmina Bernhardt, Daniel Julian and Paul C Rogers star in this quick-witted short about a therapy appointment with a tasty twist. Leo Doulton directs.

Eyeless by Alex Stedman

Two mates debate whether or not to do something about nearby racist graffiti in this cracking short, directed by Linda Miller.

The Godmother by Olivia Thompson

A fairy godmother is assigned a newbie to mentor in this comedy, starring Olivia Rose David and Olivia Thompson. Leo Doulton directs.

In Her Bones by Frances Bushe

Jasmine Blackborow directs Michael Mahony and Sarah Schoenbeck in this affecting short drama about a couple’s struggle with their past.

The Pavlova by Ben Rogers

A politician has a problem on his hands when some unfortunate footage goes viral. Ali Dunk directs Poppy Pedder and George Ronayne.

Extract from 5, 6, 7, 8 by Shaun Kitchener

Eight of the stars of the upcoming new Steps musical perform the opening scenes, including two very familiar songs. Christopher Cohen, Mimi Edwards, Rob Ellis, George Lester, Natalie Lester, Roberta Morris, Amber Muldoon and Calum Roy perform; with choreography from Stephen Davies, direction from Kitchener and musical direction from Sophie-Lee Colchester.

GRAB BRIEFS TICKETS HERE.

Introducing the line-up for Briefs 16

The 16th Briefs new writing night is coming up later this week – so take a look below at what exactly is being served up.

Grab tickets here.

Extract from THE AVERAGE MAN by James Callas Ball

Two actors make their Briefs debuts in this extract from a work-in-progress by James Callas Ball: Nicholas Clarke and Stephen Mortimer. Ball also directs.

ERIKA by Roberta Morris

Morris’s latest is her first monologue; which she herself also performs – placing us in the company of a woman suffering through a London tube journey.

ET TU by Tilly Lunken

Victorine Pontillon directs Jonathan Cobb and George Turner in Lunken’s masterfully written two-hander – which comes in classic form.

GOING UNDERGROUND by Carol Cooper

Mother and daughter Jessica Turner and Kate Cooper return to Briefs with this piece by Carol Cooper, also set against the backdrop of London’s tube network.

HAIRDRESSING by Ant Cule

Ever asked your hairdresser about their most memorable customer ever? Ant Cule has – and Anca Vaida performs the result.

Extract from JELLY by Suzy Gill

Gill writes and directs the morning after the night before, with inspiration from Little Mix and performances from Evie Killip and Chris Hoskins.

THE OP by Shaun Kitchener

Rob Ellis directs a trio of Briefs debuts as a young woman awaits a major operation. Sally George, Aoife Kilbane and Georgia Taylforth star.

TESCO TRIFLE TRAGEDY by Rob Ellis

This is no ordinary trip to the supermarket. Harry Culverhouse performs Ellis’s lively monologue, with direction from Michelle Shortland.

SKAT by Ryan J Brown, Samuel Buttery and Jamie-Rose Monk

The Buttery Brown Monk trio are reunited in this typically atypical comedy, which also stars Joe Jones.

Grab tickets for Briefs on Wednesday 5th April here.

Introducing the cast and line-up of next Wednesday’s Briefs XV

Briefs returns to Waterloo East Theatre for its 15th show next Wednesday, January 11, so let’s get right down to the whats and the whos.

Grab your tickets right now HERE.

Extract from BAD NEWS by Shaun Kitchener

Christine has become something of a national hero after a young woman on the verge of suicide publicly credited her with saving her life. But now, as journalists circle, her daughter Jackie is wary of where this media circus may lead… Michelle Shortland directs (L-R) Kate Cooper, Fiz Marcus and Victoria Otter.

BUBBLES by Joe Jones

Joe Jones returns to Briefs with his latest poignant, thoughtful and occasionally funny monologue; directed by brother Tom.

DRYSYNC by Sarah Power

You may well have seen, read and heard many witty spins on last year’s EU referendum, but none of them are quite so funny and uncomfortably on-the-money as this by Sarah Power; starring (L-R) Matthew Durkan, Sam Jenkins-Shaw, Howard Perret and Bart Suavek. Louisa Beadel directs, with Anna Spearpoint as associate director.

FACILITATING THE CREATIVE PROCESS by Beth Crane

Rob Ellis directs this short, sharp comedy about two hired assassins debating whether or not to follow through with the task in hand. Katherine Edrupt and Sophie Mackenzie star.

KISSING GHOSTS by Frances Bushe

Rosa French and Timothy George lead this beautifully written piece about two strangers talking under very, very unique circumstances. Ant Cule directs.

LIFE ON TOAST by Alasdair Melrose and Charlie Burt

Charlie Burt and Alasdair Melrose write and perform in this witty two-hander about the end of the world. And toast. Michal Ish Horowicz directs.

PROPOSAL by Oliver Malam

A woman finds herself with a double-whammy of oddly executed propositions when a face from her past shows up. Georgia Robson, Eliot Ruocco-Trenouth and Sam Saunders star, with direction from James Callas Ball.

WALK ON by Jack Stacey

Skyla Bryant, Madeleine Coles and Hetty Elliott star in this very well-written short about the journey of a relationship. Sam Ward directs.

See you there – grab tickets HERE.