A comedy about one middle-aged man's struggle against
technology struck a chord with the audience which voted it
the inaugural winner of the ''Pint-Sized Plays New Zealand''
competition in SkyCity Queenstown Casino on Sunday night.
Actor Mike Legge, who also wrote Dinosaur, shared the
stage with actresses Jo Blick and Fiona Stephenson. The
Queenstown talent said his character's bafflement with social
media and gadgets was very much his own, after he was
presented with his trophy to a round of applause.
The audience of more than 70 theatre fans, members of host
society Remarkable Theatre and supporters of the cast, crew
and mystery writers, voted for their favourite of the six
original and well-received Pint-Sized Plays performed on the
night. The names of the authors were not revealed until votes
were cast.
Playwrights were restricted to writing a play of up to 10
minutes in duration, the use of up to three thespians and
minimal use of props and costumes, which could all be easily
assembled in a pub environment.
Howzat?, by David Cantwell, of Arrowtown, who also
masterminded the New Zealand competition, was voted second
favourite and The Visionaries, by Barbara Glass, of
Speargrass Flat, was voted third favourite.
The clever opening piece Role Play and hilarious
closing play Tightrope were sent from the founders of
the Pint-Sized Plays competition, who started the imaginative
form of entertainment in Wales in 2007.
Dinosaur will be entered in the Welsh competition when
it is held later this year.
Mr Legge said he was looking forward to drinking a pint from
his pint-sized trophy and he hoped the New Zealand
competition would grow from its debut. He said he would be
back with a new play next year, to defend his title.
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