Queensland playwright Bruce Olive took home top honours last weekend, winning ‘Best Play’ in the National One-Act Playwriting Competition at Noosa Arts Theatre, with his chilling drama
God Willing.
Mr Olive beat a very competitive filed of 55 entries from right around Australia, and took home $2500 prize money, sponsored by Macquarie Private Wealth.
Having taken up playwriting 10 years ago when he moved to the Sunshine Coast 10 years ago, Bruce has written several plays that have won small awards, but this is his first national award and proves what we locals have known for some time, that he is a playwright to be watched.
Second place went to Paul Addison, a school teacher from NSW with a comedy
The Usual Five for Lunch, and third place went to Frank Wilkie of Queensland with the comedy
Tudo Ou Nada.
The Audience Choice Award went to
Tudo Ou Nada written by Noosa playwright Frank Wilkie, winning prizemoney donated by Nancy Cato’s daughter Bronnie Norman, and a Publishing Contract with Maverick Musicals and Plays. Author Nancy Cato, famous for her novel “All the Rivers Run”, was the first winner of the competition in 1978.
The 33 year old competition received a welcome boost in sponsorship from Macquarie Private Wealth, doubling the total prize pool to $5000.
Top Australian actress Caroline Kennison was guest adjudicator last night, the final night of the festival, judging the acting and directing awards. Best Actor went to Shane Cassidy from
Tudo Ou Nada, and Best Actress was won by Jodie Bushby from
God Willing. Sue Clapham won Best Director for
God Willing.
Adjudicators Awards were also given to Synda Turnbull from
Tudo Ou Nada, and Sharon Ward from
God Wiling.
There is one more chance to catch the winning plays when the Best Play, and the Audience Choice are showcased at the Noosa Longweekend Festival on Saturday June 26th.
For more information visit
www.noosalongweekend.com Playwrights interested in entering the 2011 playwriting competition, should visit the Competitions page online at:
www.noosaartstheatre.org.au for further information.