Emerging directors’ work showcased

A Season of

Short Plays

Globe Theatre Thursday, August 25

THE Globe’s latest offering is a season of three short plays, each showcasing the work of an emerging director.

The first and last are twohanders with much in common.

Each brings a man and a woman together in unhappy circumstances, and each involves few props other than a bench big enough for two people. Both are very capably presented.

Close to Croydon, by Gillian Plowman, is directed by Will Larkins and takes place in a railway carriage overturned in an accident. Strangers Hugo (William Larkins) and

Martha (Emily Frith) get off to a poor start, but despite

Hugo’s clumsy overtures and Martha’s frosty reactions, something like rapport develops before a surprisingly poignant ending.

Chris Klemetson directs

The Tale of Two Spectators, by Paul Manos. Man (Peter Davidson) and Woman (Maegan StedmanAshford) already know each other well.

They sit on a park bench munching popcorn while secretly observing the progress of an affair between two other people who just happen to be their spouses, and developing their own relationship.

Sandwiched between these two plays is Shifting Sands by Dunedin teacher Denise Walsh, directed by Maiya Hunter. Five friends, recent school leavers (StedmanAshford, Imogen Irvine, Ocean

Manutulila, Taylor AtkinCoutts and Amelie To’o) are at the beach sharing female confidences: successes, yearnings, disappointment that early adulthood isn’t as romantic, or even interesting, as they’d hoped.

Although there is good contemporary appeal, this piece is less strong than the others, largely because the play has little trajectory and the performances could do with more polish.

Overall, though, the young directors and performers can be proud of their efforts, and each play is enhanced by lighting designed by Brian Byas.

The Globe is to be commended for providing opportunities and encouragement for new talent.

The short season ends tomorrow night.