You are invited to the Manly Festival of Short Plays on 14 - 23 November 2024

Tickets for the Festival of Short Plays 2024 are available to buy here.

Each year, Manly Theatre Group encourages the local community to write 10 minute plays to be performed by our actors on our Manly stage. The Festival has been a full house every night since we began in 2022. This year’s selected plays, casts and synopses can be found below. You can check out pictures and plays from the previous years in the Gallery.

The plays contain adult themes, including strong language, and are recommended for audiences 15+ years.

Program of Plays for 2024

Thursday 14 November show starts 7.00pm 

  1. Like an Onion by Sharon Howard-Butler

  2. Who even am I? by Chantal Harrison

  3. Rats in the Kitchen by Harry Kolotas

    INTERVAL

  4. Homecoming by Geraldo Rodrigues

  5. The Last Day of May 1942 by Peter Rawling

  6. Driven to Distraction by Barbara Courtille

Saturday 16 November show starts 1.00pm matinee

  1. It was a Different Time by Eva Paterson

  2. Rats in the Kitchen by Harry Kolotas

    INTERVAL

  3. Homecoming by Geraldo Rodrigues

  4. The Last Day of May 1942 by Peter Rawling

  5. Imagine by Bradley White

Saturday 16 November show starts 7.00pm

  1. It was a Different Time by Eva Paterson

  2. Rats in the Kitchen by Harry Kolotas

    INTERVAL

  3. The Last Day of May 1942 by Peter Rawling

  4. Driven to Distraction by Barbara Courtille

  5. Imagine by Bradley White

Thursday 21 November show starts 7.00pm

  1. It was a Different Time by Eva Paterson

  2. Hullo My Angel by Annie Gurton

  3. Mouse by Harriet Allman-Carter

    INTERVAL

  4. Homecoming by Geraldo Rodrigues

  5. It's in the Bag by Liz Jewell

  6. Imagine by Bradley White

Saturday 23 November shows start 1.00pm matinee and 7pm

  1. Like an Onion by Sharon Howard-Butler

  2. Mouse by Harriet Allman-Carter

  3. Who even am I? by Chantal Harrison

    INTERVAL

  4. Hullo My Angel by Annie Gurton

  5. It's in the Bag by Liz Jewell

  6. Driven to Distraction by Barbara Courtille

Manly Theatre Group is a registered not-for-profit charity and a growing community of over 850 locals. Our goal is to ensure access to the arts is affordable and accessible by creating opportunities for Northern Beaches residents to become involved in theatre, regardless of background or experience. We rely on funding to cover our costs and appreciate any optional donation when you order your ticket.

Promotional poster for 'The Manly Festival of Short Plays 2024' by Manly Theatre Group, showcasing 11 new Australian plays with show dates, location at Darley Smith Theatre, ticket prices, and a QR code for booking.
  • "Driven to Distraction" promotional text with details about its creator and cast. Created by and directed by Barbara Courtille, with cast member Gregory J Thorsby. The text explores themes of high-speed driving, addiction, and therapeutic support.

  • Promotional poster for a theatrical production titled "It's in the Bag" by Liz Jewell. It includes a brief description about a moment outside a charity shop involving old and new friends. The cast includes Mina Vu, Frank Byrne, Charlotte Chandler, Mikey Paterson, and Emma Baker.

  • Text listing details of a play titled 'Like an Onion' by Sharon Howard-Butler, directed by Kathleen Walker & Audrey Rey, featuring a plot about a son caring for his mother with Alzheimer's. Cast includes Kyle Wong and Nilmini Panditharatne.

  • Poster for "Rats in the Kitchen," a play by Harry Kolotas, directed by Kathleen Walker. It involves a late-night radio presenter and their interaction with a special guest. Cast includes Ale Feudal and John Corrigan.

  • Flyer for the play "Mouse" by Harriet Allman-Carter, directed by Jade Nicholson-Lamb, featuring cast members Xavia Tankhilevich, Letizia De Francesco, Paul McDonald, and Mark Thomson. The flyer includes a description of the play's themes of self-prioritization and the challenges of saying no, set against a black background with white and teal text.

  • Promotional graphic for a play titled "The Last Day of May 1942" by Peter Rawling, depicting a World War II setting in Sydney Harbour as experienced by teenage siblings. Cast includes Ella Roper and Tyler Cronan.

  • Poster for "Who even am I," directed by Chantal Harrison, includes a description about identity and connection. Cast: Phoebe Brian and Vanessa Rowe.

  • Announcement for the play "Hullo My Angel" by Annie Gurton, directed by David Brown. It includes a brief description of the play's theme about manifestation. Cast includes Maureen Carr, Talitha Fishburn, and Valentine Bru.

  • Title and credits for a theatrical production called 'Imagine' by Bradley White, detailing cast members Josh Stanes, Becky Godwin, and Jody Crooks.

  • "Homecoming" play poster featuring cast list and plot summary. Written and directed by Geraldo Rodrigues. Story follows a Brazilian couple in Australia facing homesickness and new opportunities. Cast includes Geraldo Rodrigues, Alaissa Rodrigues, Carolyn Pearce, and Rowena Robinson.

  • Poster for the play "It was a different time" by Eva Paterson, directed by Danny Nercessian. It includes a brief description about belonging and ancestral trauma, followed by the cast list: Jacob Gardner, Alisan Smotlak, Gregory J Thorsby, and Paul McDonald.