Six original plays are being proudly presented by Te Puke Repertory at the third biennial Simply Short Play Festival in Te Puke this month.

Festival selection panel coordinator Owen Force said the selection panel had 20 submissions from which to select a group of six.

Dick Brown as Mr Adams is sorely testing the patience of Dr Robertson, played by Gordon Cliff in ‘Next’ written by Dolly Varden-Chambers. Photo/David Hall.

“It was a difficult undertaking to choose just six as there were many submissions that were excellent plays,” Force said.

“We endeavoured to choose a group that worked well together while still giving a good variety of offerings. We think we have selected a group that fulfils our objectives nicely.”

Playwrights Michelle Cliff and Colleen Pye. Photo/David Hall.

The six plays selected are ‘Next’ and ‘Mr Adams Returns’ by Dolly Varden-Chambers, ‘Assassin’ by Brian Johnston, ‘Me, I’ by Nina Mary W, ‘Heaven’s Door’ by Christopher Peters, ‘You call that Love’ by Colleen Pye, and ‘Remains Unknown’ by Michelle Cliff.

The festival which has been running since 2020, is intended for adults and young adults, with organisers saying the quality and number of plays submitted each time continues to grow.

“All of my plays are drawn from real life situations,” Pye said. “The measure of my plays is not about how much people laughed or cried but does it resonate in their own life.”

Actors Dick Brown and Gordon Cliff among the costumes for the Te Puke Simply Short Play Festival. Photo/David Hall.

Cliff said her play ‘Remains Unknown’ is a monologue, drawn from her personal experience.

“It intensely examines the treatment of bereft women but then, with hope, brings peace to the troubled waters of stillbirth.”

Johnston said as a young actor in UK professional theatre years ago, he witnessed older actors being “outright nasty” to others.

“They expected to be treated as ‘stars,’ were often dismissive of stage managers, wardrobe staff and dressers. I was also inspired to write the piece because, I often think there aren’t enough ‘meaty’ parts for older actors to get their teeth into. I also wanted to write a piece with an unexpected twist.”

Peters said his play ‘Heaven’s Door’ is a light-hearted look at some of the ideas people have about heaven – “the pearly gates, St Peter, getting evaluated on whether we get into heaven or not”.

“But it’s also a chance to realise that life is a balance, and while we’re all going to do some things wrong, it’s up to us to do things right as well – that little things matter.”

Dick Brown as Mr Adams is sorely testing the patience of Dr Robertson, played by Gordon Cliff in ‘Next’ written by Dolly Varden-Chambers. Photo/David Hall.

Varden-Chamber who has two stories being performed as one play in the festival, said both have humour as their keynote.

“The idea [for ‘Next’] came when my neighbour failed a cognitive test and told me what she had to do, so I invented Mr Adams, an intelligent man, who deliberately ridicules the test by taking everything literally and stressing out the doctor.”

She said ‘Mr Adams Return’” is a follow up to the first story with the same character.

“But this time, I thought I would see what difference there might be in my character if he had to deal with a female doctor.”

“Each play is unique, creative and full of surprises,” Force said.

“You will laugh, you might shed a tear, and some moments will leave you thinking long after the curtain falls. Join us for this one-of-a-kind celebration of local talent – you won’t want to miss it.”

The Simply Short Play Festival is being held at Litt Park Theatre from April 10-12.

Tickets are available at ww.eventspronto.co.nz/tprs. Adults $20, secondary students $15.