October 6 2018

Crash Test 2018 Round Three was another successful night, with every actor who turned up for auditions landing a part and all plays running on time. Our only issue was fitting everyone in the venue – a good problem to have!

The first play was “Extroverty” by Dalia Janavicius, with Amanda Yates as director. It featured an ensemble of Amanda Neil, Jawed Gebraed, Best Actor Runner Up Davo Hardy, Chris Bell and James Goh.

Second up was “The SDRO” by Playwright’s Encouragement Award recipient Xeno Nemos (his first ever award – congrats, Xeno!). Latifa Amal-Schwarz directed Glenn Levett, Shivam Mehndiratta and Best Actress Runner Up Esther Adelhardt.

Closing the first act was People’s Choice Runner Up and Best Play Runner Up “Your Call Is Important”, a fun rhyming play about call-centre angst by Ruth Fingret. Isaac Owens directed Best Actor winner Edric Hong and Maria Karambelas. “Your Call Is Important” has made its way to the Crash Test Finals on 1 Dec.

First after interval was “The Anonymous Ms J”, written by Balarka Banerjee and directed by Michal Weiss. This play starred Brian Sullivan, Alan Long, Andrew Vial, Erica Mills and Robert Sharpe.

Fifth for the evening was Darren Rich’s “The Snail”, a hilarious monologue which went down well with the audience and judge. It won Best Play from the judge, Popular Vote Winner, Best Actress for Laura Anderson and Best Director for Alyssa Gillgren. We’ll be seeing this play again in the Finals on 1st Dec.

Rounding up the night was “Hosting Peacefully” by Michal Weiss. Julie Masters directed Meili Bookluck, Joan Rodd, Golda Baker and Haroon Ghaffar.

The Results

Tonight’s show was judged by Alice Furze, successful Sydney actress and one of Crash Test’s stars.

Best Actor Runner Up: Davo Hardy

Best Actor: Edric Hong

Best Actress Runner Up: Esther Adelhardt

Best Actress: Laura Anderson

Best Director: Alyssa Gillgren

Playwright’s Encouragement Award: Xeno Nemos for “The SDRO”

Popular Vote Runner Up: Your Call Is Important

Popular Vote Winner: The Snail

Best Play: The Snail

Best Play Runner Up: Your Call Is Important

Congratulations to “Your Call Is Important” and “The Snail”, both of which have earned a spot in the Crash Test Finals on 1 Dec.

Thanks to every single actor, writer and director who participated in the event and thank you once again to our wonderful venue and hosts, Darlo Drama.