June 20 2016

Our last round before the Season One Finals was held this Monday, with quite a diverse lineup of plays all wonderfully performed by Sydney actors.

"Witness" was first, written by Bob Ballinger and directed by wife Sue Ballinger. Donna Randall was wonderful in her performance as the abused mother, winning Best Actress. The play was the Popular Vote Runner Up and the Judge's Runner Up and has won a spot in the Crash Test Drama Finals on 18 July.

"Pineapples" was the second play, written by Davo Hardy and directed by Best Director winner Ruth Fingret. It starred Meili Bookluck, Kieran Boyd, Ruth McGowan and Alan Long. "Pineapples" was equal second in the Popular Vote.

Lisa Kelaher's "A Good Shy Boy" was next, directed at the last-minute by Hela Sawires. On stage were Michael Becker as Raymond and Lance Rice as the cameraman.

Next we had "Youthinasia", written by Simon Tonkin who won Playwright's Encouragement Award for a nice satirical twist on the reality TV genre. Adrian Bitel directed Toast d'Bechamel, Maria Karambelas (Best Actress Runner Up) and Nick Subjak.

Following that was "The Greenroom", written by Don Lacey and directed by James Gallaway. This play won both the Judge's Choice and the Popular Vote, earning a spot in the Crash Test Drama Finals on 18 July. Best actor Robbie Gadsbey starred alongside Grace Rein and Dudley Levell.

Last up was Deb Mulhall's "Creation", directed by Isaac Owen. Richard Littlehales played Lucifer and Best Actor Runner Up Matthew Kerr starred as Jehovah.

The Results

One of our most successful Crash Test artists, Alice Furze, did us the honour of judging the show. These were her picks.

Best Actor: Robbie Gadsbey

Best Actress: Donna Randall

Best Actor Runner Up: Matthew Kerr

Best Actress Runner Up: Maria Karambelas

Best Director: Ruth Fingret

Best Play: "The Greenroom"

Best Play Runner Up: "Witness"

Popular Vote Winner: "The Greenroom"

Popular Vote Runner Up: “Witness” and "Pineapples"

Playwright’s Encouragement Award: Simon Tonkin for “Youthinasia”

“Witness" and “The Greenroom” have both won places in the Crash Test Finals in July.

See you at the Finals on Mon 18th July!