It’s all for One and One for all

ACTORS and directors across the state are busy putting the final touches on their productions for Hobart’s ninth annual OneFest one-act play festival, which hits the Playhouse Theatre next weekend.

A joint production of the city’s longestrunning theatre companies, the Hobart Repertory Theatre Society and the Old Nick Company, OneFest provides Tasmania’s emerging actors and directors with an opportunity to gain experience both on and off the stage, while giving more experienced practitioners the chance to show off their abilities in a short-work format.

Plays range in length from five to 30 minutes, and encompass a wide variety of genres, including comedy, drama, suspense, romance and horror.

Awards are presented in a range of categories, including best production, director, male actor, female actor, most promising actor or director, and best locally written new work.

Hosted by Scott Hunt and adjudicated by Maeve Mhairi MacGregor, OneFest 2017 will feature a total of 13 plays presented by organisations ranging from UTAS theatre society PLoT to local veterans Square Pegs.

OneFest director Ros Peck believes oneact festivals are so popular because they give multiple actors a chance to shine.

“Even though we have a vibrant theatre scene in Hobart, there are more talented actors than opportunities,” she says.

“This festival gives actors the opportunity to strut their stuff on stage and new directors a chance to have a go, and also gives audiences the chance to see rich and varied content in several plays over a few sessions.”

OneFest 2017 will be held at the Playhouse Theatre in Bathurst St across three sessions next weekend, August 18-19 — starting at 7.30pm on August 18 and 2.30pm and 7.30pm on August 19.

Tickets are $15 for one session, $25 for two, or $30 for a festival pass. They are available at the door, or pre-sale via Centertainment (phone 6234 5998).

For more information, go to www.onefest.com.au