A Port Moody performing arts society is offering "bite-sized plays" during its annual festival this week.
Shift's One-Act Theatre Festival opens tomorrow (Thursday) at the Inlet Theatre with three short productions - two of which were penned by well-known Tri-City thespians.
Richard Dixon, a retired drama teacher from Coquitlam's Gleneagle secondary, will launch the event with his work, titled Cold Testament: An Act of Defenestration. And high school theatre instructor and choreographer Nicole Roberge will present her piece, called Come Cuddle Me, which was conceptualized with David Lloyd.
Thursday will close with Flop! a one-man musical written and performed by Anton Lipovetsky, a Studio 58 graduate.
Friday features Watermelon Boats, Barefoot in Nightgown by Candlelight, The Union and A Cut in the Rates while four plays will be shown on the final night on Saturday: Seeing the Light (directed by Natalee Fera, Pinetree secondary's drama coach); The Author's Voice; Improv in One-Act; and Look Me in the Eye.
Nick Sartore, Shift's artistic managing director, said 20 applications were submitted for the fourth annual festival and 11 were approved by a jury, based on the strength of the director, the script and how they would fit into the overall program.
Local talent as well as original plays were also a plus, he said.
Each show runs between 10 and 40 minutes, a perfect "introduction to theatre for people who have never been before," Sartore said.
"There's a different flavour each night. We wanted to showcase a range of theatre and styles and conventions for the general public each night and we believe we have a good mix."
This year's festival, which is sponsored by Pacific Coast Terminals and 100.5 The Peak, will include - for the first time - an opening night reception at 7:15 p.m. thanks to Thrifty Foods and Rubens Chocolate in Suter Brook. Singer/songwriter Mark Fossen will perform.
Tickets for the Shift One-Act Theatre Festival, from June 23 to 25, are $15 per night or $40 for the three nights via www.shiftarts.ca or by calling 604-630-8712. Tickets are also available at the door on the night of the performances.
The shows start at 8 p.m. at 100 Newport Dr.
