TAZ Playwrights

21st April 2008
Media Release: TAZ Playwrights Launches the Write Stuff - click here

18th April 2008
- TAZ PLAYWRIGHTS HAS OPENED... WE'RE CONSTANTLY UPDATING THIS PAGE... SO KEEP CHECKING BACK AND START SPREADING THE NEWS!!!

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RATING CONTENT

Whilst every effort is given to provide a rating guide for content of each script, the ultimate decision on the appropriate rating for your audiences shall remain with the director and theatre committees and management boards.

Bruce Denny:
- bio coming soon...

"Johnno's Story"
Johnno is nearing retirement, however finds himself facing retrenchment after years of loyalty due to the plans of the ‘new company’. Based on a true story.
Have a read here

Chris Thomas:
Born in Perth, Western Australia, Chris Thomas is a writer, actor, journalist and broadcaster who has developed diverse experience in these areas over several years. 

He has many eclectic acting credits to his name and broad journalistic experience, working for mainstream newspapers, independent publications and freelancing for numerous titles, as well as extensive work in media relations and flexing his dulcet tones as a radio announcer.

He is also the author of the novel Journo's Diary and the Doctor Who short story One Step Forward, Two Steps Back.

Accolades:

Which One? received an encouragement award for writing at the 1994 Bunbury One-Act Drama Festival.

 

 

 

 

"Which One?"
Three students live together in a messy house. Jason says a woman wouldn’t stay five minutes. Bill and Nathan disagree and have a bet. If a woman stays longer than five minutes they win; if she leaves they lose. As it happens, a female acquaintance of Jason’s needs help with an assignment. That evening Coralie arrives. Jason is actually interested in her. As he makes the move, Nathan and Bill come back from the pub after having a few. They rib him so much Jason picks a fight with Bill.

Nathan is left with Coralie and tries to make the move on her, but Bill comes back from the fight, interrupting him. Coralie, worried about Jason, sends Nathan out to look for him, leaving her and Bill alone. Bill makes the move on her, but the other two come back and interrupt. Coralie leaves to ‘powder her nose’ leaving the guys to argue. In the midst of their debate, she returns – in bondage and discipline clothes. She tells them she wants them all and ties them up. She then leaves; she actually prefers the older man next door.
Have a read here

"Reality Matters"
Reality Matters has been written to be performed almost anywhere, requiring no set – just the two actors on stage. It’s a slightly surreal piece, as one character is forced to question his own perception of reality when an enigmatic character starts to strip away his many masks, forcing him to think outside the square for a moment. The piece is left open-ended as to whether the events occur for real or in the main character’s mind.
Have a read here

"King Bling"
King Bling is designed for a young adult/teenage audience, highlighting the message of how to manage their money. Given the subject matter, King Bling has been written with an urban edge in a hip-hop context, to capture their attention, matching education with entertainment. Other quirky characters are included, also providing occasional moments of comedy. It’s envisioned this play easily be done on a standard stage but also a school gymnasium floor, almost as if it’s done in the round – it has been written so the director can freely adapt the piece to wherever it’s being staged.
Have a read here

"Appetite For Destruction"
Appetite for Destruction is an almost one-man piece about the character’s inner turmoil over his weight. Yet he is not fat – he is thin by most people’s standards. But he used to be fat… and this has caused major dilemmas in his mind down the track, as he fights all the desires to eat while trying to live up to some impossible ideal male body. The audience is privy to what goes on in his mind and this is embellished by a chorus of four that occasionally interacts with the main character.
Have a read here

"The Bonza Land of Oz"
The Bonza Land of Oz is a play designed to give children acting experience while highlighting that other cultures are embraced in Australia with different aspects becoming part of our way of life, whether it’s some of their cuisine, fashion or cultural event. A short, quirky play, it has elements of humour and has been written with no set in mind, allowing it to be performed in most environments. But directors can add set dressing if they wish, depending on the space, cast and budget available.
Have a read here

Travis Hooper:
Travis got involved with writing when approached to be involved with the 'punching' up of another script that contains a local comedic slant for the Goldfields Repertory Club's Christmas Show and it all snowballed from there. After working on another two scripts with a couple of friends,WP Bahd was born and together wrote several variety and hammed up Christmas Shows thereafter. Travis then wrote two Christmas shows by himself and then decided to look at and move into a more structured and serious look at playwrighting.
Travis first became involved with theatre in 1994 after discovering theatre sports and then found himself a regular peformer at the Goldfields Repertory Club from 1997 as an actor, director, committee member, president and major contributor to the club and the Goldfields city. Travis even found himself fullfilling a role in a touring professional production that visited Kalgoorlie after one of the actors became ill and was highly commended.

Accolades:

 

• Excellent Comic Timing for "Interiors" (2003)
• Dorothy Barber Best Production for "Albert" (2001)
• Masterful Comic Timing "In Vino" (2005)
• Inspiring Playwrighting (2005)

"In Vino Veritas"
by Travis Hooper and William Jones
Each person’s life is a journey in which they search for the warmth and love that only comes from human companionship, except Roger.

Grumpy misanthrope Roger Moss, his sister, his best friend and the girl of his best friend’s dreams on a Friday night beyond their wildest imaginings. A Friday night, out of the house… This fast paced modern comedy relies as much on its physicality as it does on its snappy dialogue between the characters.
Have a read here

"Walk Away Renee"
Life is a funny thing. It seems that the last thing John and Renee were looking for was love. Somehow it managed to find them both. Will the fates that brought them together allow them to stay together? Is life really that far removed from the movie ideal? This sweet slice-of-life comedy will amuse and touch the hearts of those who watch it.
Have a read here

"Jarrod Goes Shopping"
Jarrod Shuldig is a sweet young Doctor who helps out with his wife’s local theatre groups production of “Ooh err missus.” Goaded by his wife and business partner, he decides to enter into the spirit by volunteering to buy a very personal prop.
What could possibly go wrong?

This play is an intriguing mixture of observations on relationships, neo-absurdist comedy with a good dash of “carry on” humour.
Have a read here

"...And Egg Nog For Afters"
A father brings his grown family together for an early Christmas dinner. During the night, he reveals a dark secret that could tear his family apart. What would you do if everything you believed about your family was untrue? What happens when your Father is revealed as a stranger? This play takes a realistic look at the ties that bind a family together and the lies that push it apart.
Have a read here

Accolades:

• 2007 shortlisted and commended in national Tod Hunter LIterary Award for "Day of the Moribund.
• "Sex Toys" was awarded Best Production at teh 2006 ITA State One Act Drama Festival, with actors also receiving individual awards.

"Mona"
Frank is a hard working man with an unfaithful wife - Mona. Up until now, he has endured her infidelities in wounded silence, but Mona's latest affair seems to be blossoming into something more, and Frank, desperate not to lose her, confronts the man he fears may take her from him.

"Collage"
Alan's lonliness, marked by the departure of his girlfriend, manifests itself in a drunken night of self-loathing when two factets of his conscience, {i.e - good and evil} try to persuade him to, or dissuade him from, masturbating over internet porn-site.

"Conscience and Other Torments"
Fragments, moments, highlights and lowlights of a married couple.

"Sex Toys"
When Carol's long-time boyfriend Bobby, introduces a vibrator into their love-life, she feels compelled, with the often officious assistance of her two best friends, to re-evaluate her relationship.

"Day of the Moribund"
God, his patience exhausted, is on the verge of destroying Mankind. Christ, aware of this, appeals for a reprieve in favour of Man. atan, too, realises what is at stake, but unlike Christ, plans to push God beyond the point of no return.

"Delius"
A fateful meeting between two very contrary personalities. Eric Fenby, a devout Christian and young musician, offers his services as amanuensis to his favourite composer, Frederick Delius, a semi recluse living with his wife in provincial France. Aged, blind, paralysed and passionately agnostic, Delius's acerbity is intensified by the world's indifference to his music. The two men struggle not only to create music in extremely difficult circumstances, but to overcome their diametrically opposed beliefs.

"Only The Lonely"
A study of loneliness and its affects on five intermingling lives.

"Days In The Dark"
Based on the Aspern Papers, a comparatively lessesr-known tale by Henry James. Two cloistered spinsters have treasured up some unpublished writings of the great poet Jeffrey Aspern. An intrepid, young literary historian attempts to prise these riches from them, and finds his ingenuity and morality stretched to the limit.

"The First Henry"
The youngest of William the Conqueror's three surviving sons has been reduced to peasant-stock by his feuding brothers Robert, Duke of Normandy and William II, King of England. Banished to the border-castle Domfront, Henry is approached by the head of a dubious league of conspirators sworn to oust William, ignore Robert's claim and set him on the throne. His decision to support or dismiss this dangerous enterprise is made in a single night when each of his infamous brothers come to domfront with plans of their own.

"Raleigh and Regina"
From royal minion to royal drudge, from bold exporer to celebrated prisoner. This is the story of Walter Raleigh, the soldier, the poet, and one-time favourite of the Great Bess herself, Queen Elizabeth the first.

"The Maid"
The legend is well known, but the facts strangley distorted. The peasant girl from Dohremy, angel or fiend, good or evil, who helped liberate France from occupation under England and was burned at the stake for heresy.
Jeanne de Acre {Joan of Arc} had to wait 400 years for sainthood, but she is yet to see a definitive depiction of her life on film. Vita Sackville-West certainly wrote the definitive history, and I have based my screenplay on that hard-hitting account.

"Prince Charming"
Based on Oscar Wilde's "Dorian Gray", the famous tale of the young man who sold his soul for eternal youth, this rendering is not without the epigrammatical genius of it's wonderful author, but does focus more on the darker aspects of the story, and, indeed, on the undertow of impending doom throughout.

"1066"
This story spans four decades and focuses on the lives nad loves of the three greatest military leaders of their day, Harold of Wessex - King of England; Harald Hardrada - King of Norway; and William Rolf - Duke of Normandy.
Winning prominence in their own countries, their paths are fated to cross in those immortal weeks in the Autumn of 1066, when they fought it out for the greatest prize of them all - the throne of Enlgand.

Stephan Jean De Jonghe:
I originally wanted to write Death Warmed Up as a comedy. However, death demands respect. I hope I have brought both humour and dignity to this sensitive topic.  If audiences feel entertained, enlightened and a deeper sense of respect toward those who work in the industry, then I have achieved my goal. Throughout my writing, my wife Chris has been encouraging, supportive and contributively forthcoming. Without her, this play would not be possible and I thank her. This play is dedicated to Chris..

Accolades:

 

 

 

"Death Warmed Up"
A black comedy which takes a light-hearted look at the funeral industry from inside the State Cemeteries Administration Board (affectionately known as SCAB) office.  Based on the real occurrences of life at the cemetery, this play covers many aspects of death and funerals which most people only come into contact with on the occasion of the death of a family member.
This play, which also deals with typical office relationships, will make audiences laugh and reflect.
Have a read here

Several new scripts coming soon
from Stephan J. De Jonghe

Mark Kont:
Mark was born in Perth, Western Australia, more years ago that he cares to remember. Having been active in theatre for more than twenty years, it is not surprising that Mark would turn his hand to writing. He has an extensive resume as both an actor and a director and this experience shows in his scripts, which are eminently playable. We hope to have more of his work in our catalogue in the near future.  In the meantime we offer “Scheherazade”, written to showcase the talents of a bellydance troupe (but can be adapted as a musical), which has proven popular with many audiences.

Accolades:

Directed "Albert" for ITA State One Act Drama Festival which won Best Production (2001)

 

"Scheherazade"
Based on ancient Persian myth and legends.  Many of the tales were included in, or through time have become attached to the tale of Scheherazade, which has enthralled and inspired mankind through the past millennium. Scheherazade ignores the well known stories of Aladdin and Sinbad and humorously portrays some of the lesser known tales attached to this legendary story, incorporating a comical modern flair.
Scheherazade is the tale of a woman trying to melt the heart of a king. The Shah has lost at love after discovering his wife’s infidelity and orders her death. The powerful Shah enjoys various marriages thereafter and each wife’s fate is sealed to the same conclusion the following morning after their wedding night, unless she can prove that she will remain forever faithful. Scheherazade has devised a clever plan to intrigue her new husband, so that she may prove her love and loyalty to her king and bring an end to the ruler’s suffering to all womankind.

Accolades:

 

 

 

"Candles In The Rain"
A birthday celebration in a derelict house is interrupted by a violent stranger, which leads to unforeseen circumstances.

"A Day In The Life"
A family struggles to deal with their daughter who suffers from anorexia.

"After All This Time"
A chance meeting in a park brings the lives of old friends together again. As they reminisce about the past, seemingly innocent event are revealed to be major episodes in their lives.

"Holly & Ivy"
A familiar story of sibling rivalry takes an unexpected twist when sisters are brought together after many years apart. They bring up old grudges and learn more than they bargained for.

"A Season of Sorrow"
A night in the life of Oscar Wilde is looked at behind prison walls where he reflects on his life and his downfall from fame and fortune.

Martin Lindsay:
- bio coming soon...

Accolades:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accolades:

 

 

 

 

"Cocky's Crossing"
synopsis coming soon

"Ali Baba and the Four Thieves"
synopsis coming soon

"The True Legend of Puss In Boots"
synopsis coming soon

"Rumplestiltskin's Bargain"
synopsis coming soon

"Beauty in the Land of the Beast"
synopsis coming soon

"The Premiere's Displeasure"
synopsis coming soon

Peter Flanigan:
Peter has been writing, directing and acting in plays and musicals for many years beginning at The University of Western Australia. After completing his studies, he continued working with community theatre, both in the city and country and also with a large number of high schools throughout the state.
In the 1980’s he was invited by Tafe Extension to write a course in Practical Drama. This resulted in a text book:  “Play Production – A Practical Approach”, a series of lessons and the simultaneous publication of six of his plays.
Later publications have included two books of one act plays: “The Rout of Randolph Rockheart and Other Plays” and “Seven One Act Plays”.  Many of these plays have been performed by theatre groups and schools in WA.

Accolades:

• First prize in the Albany One Act Playwriting Competition (2004) “The Man Next Door”
• Writing Award for “Duplex”  and “Slightly Breathless” at the Central Midlands Drama Festival (1984)
• Writing Award for “The Man Next Door” at the ITA Drama Festival (2005)

"The Candidate"
This is the story of how Enid Lyons widow to former Prime Minister Joe Lyons, was elected to the Federal Parliament in 1943 - the first woman ever to be elected to the House of Representatives. Based on her book “Among The Carrion Crows”, it carries the story from her initial rejection of the whole idea to the final triumph. Her maiden speech in parliament is included as an appendix.

"The Birthday"
Set in a Hospice where an old woman lies near death. One by one her four children gather. It is her birthday. As they talk among themselves, long forgotten stories from their childhood emerge. This is a play about relationships within a family - lots of happy moments with a strong underlay of pathos as the end draws near.

"Norrie"
Another story about a real person - Nora Kersley - who lived her early life in Kalgoorlie and later settled in Mt Barker, Western Australia. The young Norrie had a great singing career ahead of her when suddenly her adored mother became ill and died. As an old woman, Nora recalls her early life and the decision she had to make. The early scenes are done through flashbacks presenting an interesting challenge to the director.

"The Burglar"
A zany comedy with all the characteristics of a nightmare. A burglar appears in the middle of the night. Does she want a shower? Does she just want to get into the double bed with the couple who live there. Is she really a burglar? Is anything what it seems? The strange goings on get stranger still - reaching, in the manner of a dream, into the realm of the surreal.

"Mandy"
A drama about a woman going through a psychological crisis. The action alternates between the present and the past as various lines trigger off painful memories of events that have shaped her life. The central problem for her is her relationship with her mother, who has always criticised her and put her down. How she finally deals with this issue makes the dramatic climax of the play.

"The Coming"
A comedy/drama set in the future. Timm, Mavi and Acky are three people who make up a somewhat uneasy menage a trois. Society is governed by the dreaded PVRG - Public Virtue and Reason Guardians. Rumours of the second coming of Jesus Christ have stirred up a hornets’ nest. An unusual visitor does make an unexpected appearance. Who is she? Not Jesus, it seems, but someone with supernatural powers nevertheless.

"Duplex"
A black comedy/fantasy about three people, Kenny, Brucie and Jez,  who live in a duplex half and rent out the other half to a series of tenants whom they set out systematically to terrorise. The strangest of the three is Jez who assumes multiple personalities in order to confuse and dominate. Into this spiderweb of lies and deceit comes a young woman to reclaim her bond. In a series of bizarre twists she and her gun toting boyfriend are shown to be up against a master strategist in the art of game playing.

"There's a War on You Know"
 It is 1941 and at St Cecilia’s School  for Young Ladies in a coastal town in WA everyone is being affected by the war.  When Japan attacks Pearl Harbour and then Malaya and Singapore the authorities decide it’s time for action. Not only will air-raid shelters have to be built on the tennis courts, but the highlight of the coming school year “The Mikado” must be cancelled. (Can’t possibly have a Japanese musical!). This causes great dismay. In the meantime the local VDC (“Dad’s Army”) begin to meet at the school after hours.  The interaction of this keen but somewhat bumbling group, some inquisitive senior students and the school’s attempts to resurrect the Mikado under a different name provide the high points of the play. 

Carole Dhu:
Carole Dhu has been active in the theatre arena for the last thirty years, both as a performer, a producer, director, vocal coach, compere, teacher and adjudicator, as well as a couple of stints providing character voices for radio commercials.
Since 2003 Carole has run a production company, Primadonna Productions – which incorporates a children’s Drama Troupe with pupils aged from four to sixteen years of age and has made the recent move into independent productions of shows for adult performers also.  This has given her the benefit of some ‘on the ground’ events management experience as well.

Accolades:

• Director of Judging - Youth on Health Australia Drama Festival (since 2002) - an annual event run for high schools throughout WA.
• Contracted by Dept of Education and Training, teaching Drama for the Primary Extension and Challenge program (2004).
• Judges the Country Week Speech Competition each July.
• Assisted with auditioning the first intake of Drama students for the Comet Bay Community College Specialist Drama Program.

"A Characteristic Quest"
synopsis coming soon

Daniel Kershaw :

COMING SOON

Accolades:

Shriley Ingram:

COMING SOON

Accolades:

Denni Cee:

COMING SOON

Accolades:

"Deadly Inheritance"
synopsis coming soon

Vanja Clayton:

COMING SOON

Accolades: