Act 1 Theatre is back with its repertoire of one-act plays, and this month audiences can expect an entertaining mix of comedy, drama and music.
The three short features include Blank Cheque, an award-winning drama dealing with life after service written by local Brett Lane and directed by stage manager Deb Hossack; the madcap musical Dr Finkenstein Presents Jim Croce by Andrew Munslow; and the comedy An Awkward Affair.
Brett said he wrote Blank Cheque by drawing on real veteran experiences and actual events.
“By highlighting the friction between a Vietnam veteran in denial and younger comrades, I approached the sensitivity of PTSD, not just through the lens of a ‘combat’ veteran but also the unresolved pain of living never having deployed,” he said.
“I would likely want audiences to reflect on a key line from the script: that the military ‘turn us into machines but they don’t turn us off’. The hope is that they see the struggle of transitioning back to civilian life as a collective responsibility.”
Dr Finkenstein Presents Jim Croce is the creation of Act 1 Theatre President Andrew Munslow, who said he came up with the idea for the show during Covid restrictions, when the theatre had to limit the number of people on stage and actors could not interact easily.
“I created a character who brings people back from the past and gets them to perform at the theatre without realising that they are in the future, then sends them back, being none the wiser as to what happened,” he said.
Andrew will perform live on stage as Jim Croce, with the Act 1 Theatre band.
“People can expect to hear some great Jim Croce songs like Time in a Bottle and Bad, Bad Leroy Brown, have some fun, sing along, and maybe learn a little bit about Jim himself while he opens up to the audience,” he said.
A Directorial Debut and Hilarious Heists
Rounding out the program is An Awkward Affair by David Pemberton, where a reluctant burglar becomes trapped inside the apartment of a two-timing couple when both return home with their lovers. The production marks the directorial debut of longtime Act 1 member Telhea Fuller.
Telhea said audiences should watch for a particularly hilarious moment.
“Without giving too much away, Ray needs to break into a studio to retrieve items to protect his girlfriend’s honour; in the process, he sees something that he should not,” they said.
“The web that develops around hiding this offence becomes more and more involved as the evening unfolds.”
Learn more or book your tickets here.
Act 1 Theatre Season of One Act Plays
- Friday, 10 April – Sunday, 19 April
- Act 1 Theatre (Old Shire Hall)
- 238 Gympie Road, Strathpine
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