Promises promises
Promises Promises
Hawking, telephone sales, and selling life insurance generally deliver poor consumer outcomes, with high pressure and unfair sales targets. Should you chase the dream or the money. What do you do when passion doesn’t pay the bills. With the existential threat of AI on screen writers, trade union strikes and the fight for equity artists are long perceived as dreamers. But it is the stories and the storytelling that breathes life into the mundane, especially if you are selling Life Insurance.
Barbara Courtille – Writer and Director Promises Promises
Barbara Courtille is a multidisciplinary artist whose work spans writing, directing, and painting. With a passion for storytelling and creative expression, she has written and staged original works for theatre including Unfolding Harry and Promises Promises in this year’s Manly Festival of Short Plays and Driven to Distraction in last year’s festival.
Jesica Hermosilla / Simone
Jessica Hermosilla began her theatre journey studying and performing in New York and London, working both on stage and behind the scenes. After moving to Australia and raising a family, she continued her creative work with companies such as Milk Crate Theatre and New Theatre in various production and creative roles. A long-time member of Manly Theatre Group since its earliest productions, Jessica finds performance a deeply meaningful way to connect with story, community, and shared humanity. Her most recent roles for Manly Theatre Group were in 1 in 7 by Vivien Thomas and for the festival Promises Promises.
Rory Coverdale / Nate
Rory first started in amateur theatre on the committee of the NSW University Theatrical Society. He joined MTG in its inaugural year, and this marks his first production with Manly Theatre Group.
Stef Savannah / Fyodor
Stef began acting in London in the 1990’s taking on roles such as Aslan in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and Botton in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. As a playwright, his works have been staged by the Short+Sweet Festival in Sydney (Oracle) and at Riverside Studios in London (A Cracker Christmas). Stef has been involved with Manly Theatre Group since inception, contributing in many areas including set construction, writing workshops and performing.
murder on the corso
Murder on the Corso
Matcha tea contains more caffeine than other green teas so it should be consumed in moderation. A superfood that offers sustained focus without the jitters. Or does it? What does a café owner, an influencer, a personal trainer and a crypto dude have in common. Matcha, Shark Tank, or Gen Z? When meditation is taken too far, compassion is no substitute for revenge and social justice.
Zoe Hudson – Writer and Director Murder on the Corso
Zoe is the founding member and President of Manly Theatre Group. For Manly Theatre Group Festival of Short Plays, she has written Green Eyes (2023) and Murder on the Corso (2025). She has also written and performed for Sydney Fringe.
Letizia De Francesco / Anci
Letizia De Francesco is a charismatic Italian performer who has called Manly home for the past decade. Her passion for acting began in Italy and has flourished through North Shore Drama, Scene Classes with Mike Booth, and the Manly Theatre Group.
She has appeared in Violet True & Poetry by Kathleen Walker (2022), Fantasy, Man to Man by Philip Clay (2023), and “Mouse” by Harriet Allman Carter (2024) Manly Festival of Short Plays. In 2024, she played Ivy in Desserted! at Short + Sweet Sydney. In 2025, Letizia appeared as Evie in Taximan, Sophia in Life Drawing Class, and Mona Lisa in Mona Lisa in a Red Dress.
Max Shadbolt / Hank
Max Shadbolt is an Australian born actor. 'The Manly Festival of Short Plays' is his second time on stage and first with the MTG. He will be performing in both "Gold Star Parents" (Dir. Chantal Harrison) and "Murder on the Corso" (Dir. Zoe Hudson). His previous credits include the male lead in the short "NIGHT VISION" (Dir. Darcy O'Rourke) selected for the 2023 Dark Nights Horror Film Festival at the Ritz Theatre Randwick. He has also performed 'Francis Flute/Thisbe' and 'Cobweb' in a Rowan Greaves production of Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" (2025) at the Casula Powerhouse Theatre. Max aspires to one day ride on a boxcar freight line all the way from San Francisco to Memphis, Tennessee.
Roxy Jeffery / Ness
Roxy Jeffery is an English-Iranian creative spirit who found her home in Sydney 11 years ago, residing in Manly for the past 5 years.
Born to a celebrated Iranian film actor of the 1970s and a mother who was an actress and dancer, storytelling runs in her blood.
After dabbling in amateur dramatics a few years ago, she has continued to nurture her innate passion for performance and emotional expression.
In 2025, Roxanna steps further into her creative journey, bringing her unique heritage, heart, and lived experience to the stage with authenticity and depth.
Tyler Cronin / Kevin
Tyler has written and directed A Fortune Tellers Luck, Beauty in dilutio’, and I am number five.
Acting roles in film - A grave connection and Manly Theatre Group Androids like Us written by Harry Kolotas (2024) and The Last Day of 1942 by Peter Rawling (2024) and Murder on the Corso by Zoe Hudson (2025).
shred or keep
Shred or Keep
When tightly held, hidden secrets emerge from hiding. A mother and daughter flip a forensic discovery into opportunity to heal and rediscover love and connection. Should they shred or keep and how significant is the impact.
Cassie Matheson – Playwright Shred or Keep
Cassie is an emerging writer, TV producer and Manly local whose character-driven stories have been praised for their authenticity and humour. This is Cassie’s writing debut for Manly Theatre Group.
Frank Byrne – Director Shred or Keep by Cassie Matheson
After initially dabbling in acting in school productions, Frank did not return to acting until late 2022 after lockdown inspired a rethink about pursuits that had been put on the backburner for far too long. Starting with the Sydney Actors’ Playhouse Fundamentals of Acting followed by two Scene Classes with the same coach, Frank came to Manly Theatre Group in the 2023 Festival of Short Play where had roles in both Cuckoo written by Bradley White and Fantasy written by Philip Clay. In 2024 he undertook two roles in the Short+ Sweet Sydney followed by a further Scene Class with the Sydney Actors’ Playhouse, this time accepting the challenge of taking on two roles in the one class. Frank returned to Manly Theatre Group 2024 Festival of Short Plays It’s In The Bag written by Liz Jewell. Played the lead in Donald Margulies’ Pulitzer winning Dinner With Friends at Tap Gallery, which was very well received by audiences. In 2025 Frank played a leading role in The Audition Helpers written by Carlin Hurdis Manly Theatre Group’s main stage production. This year’s festival Frank makes his directorial debut with Shred or Keep written by Cassie Matheson.
Sophia Burton / Penny (Mother)
Studied acting and drama at UNSW and has performed in both traditional and collaboratively devised theatre productions in Australia and Japan. Specialised in the teaching of English through theatre and performance, to non-English speaking students.
For Manly Theatre Group she performed in Androids Like Us by Harry Kolotas.
Phoebe Brian / Simone (Daughter)
Phoebe is an enthusiastic and creative actor who has participated in various Northern Beaches Youth Theatre productions including Hating Alison Ashley 2021 and School of Sharks 2022. She took part in Short + Sweet Festival and Ghosting the Party in 2025. For Manly Theatre Group Who Even Am I? by Chantal Harrison in the 2024 festival and this year in Shred or Keep by Cassie Matheson.
No tears in space
No Tears in Space
In the microgravity of space tears do not fall. Instead, they accumulate as a ball of liquid around the eye forming a large jelly blob. Holly refuses to cry. Distance gives depth and range. She can speak the truth, no matter how hurtful, and it is liberating. She has orbited the earth eight times and seen eight dawns and circled back to Everest, and she still refuses to cry. No tears give perspective.
Annie Gurton – Writer and Director No Tears in Space
Annie comes from a background in journalism and has found great joy in playwriting.
In a previous life she was a couple’s counsellor and has that and many other life experiences to draw on in her plays.
Her first play Hullo My Angel was performed in last year’s festival. This year she assisted Kathleen Walker as Assistant Director for 1 in 7 by Vivian White and The Audition Helpers by Carlin Hurdis. This year she has written and directed both No Tears in Space and Faded Flowers.
Xavia Tankhilevich - Creative Support No Tears for Space
Xavia is originally from New Zealand but has lived on the Northern Beaches for the last 7 years. She has 10 years’ experience performing on stage and film and is passionate about art, storytelling and community. For Manly Theatre Group Xavia performed in Mouse by Harriet Allman Carter for the 2024 festival of short plays.
Belinda Wightley / Holly
Belinda has had vast experience in the theatre spanning over many years - in fact over her whole adult life. That experience, to date, has been exclusively as a member of the
audience. Belinda can be easily coerced into doing something fun, creative and thrilling with likeminded people which explains her involvement in her first on stage experience with the Manly Theatre Group at the Manly Festival of short plays.
Manly Theatre Group is a wonderful starting point for a new interest at any time of life. I love it.
Alisan Smotlak / Mother
Eager to try and extend outside her comfort zone Alisan was cast in the role of Mum in Green Eyes by Zoe Hudson's in 2023 Manly Festival of Short Plays and in It was a Different Time by Eva Paterson. She studied for 1 year and ongoing at Academy of Improvisation Sydney during 2024 and studied for 1 year at NIDA short Course 2018. Regularly performing in comedy roles in Annual Medieval Christmas Play. This year she performed in The Audition Helpers by Carlin Hurdis and No Tears in Space by Annie Gurton
Callum Horan / Jack
Callum began acting at a young age and took part in many productions while at school, including David Williamson’s The Club and The Removalists, and Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie. He also has an interest in Shakespeare. He studied theatre at university and took part in a short acting course at the National Institute of Dramatic Arts in 2016. Callum has been a part of Manly Theatre Group since 2024. This is Callum’s first performance with Manly Theatre Group.
Ella Green / Mission Control
Ella joined the Manly Theatre Group in May of this year and 1 in 7 was her first production with MTG. In the UK, she most recently played Antonio in The Actor’s Training Company’s production of The Duchess of Malfi (2021) and Rosalind in their production of As You Like It (2021).
unfolding harry
Unfolding Harry by Barbara Courtille
Can investigative journalism identify a spiritual scam or is it just the cynicism of the non-believer. Are innocent victims being targeted, manipulated into a staged temple environment for profit making and wealth. Is the spiritual leader a sociopath poaching on the helpless and vulnerable or does her promise of enlightenment have meaning and substance, no matter how esoteric and unbelievable. Be patient and breathe.
Barbara Courtille – Writer and Director Unfolding Harry
Barbara Courtille is a multidisciplinary artist whose work spans writing, directing, and painting. With a passion for storytelling and creative expression, she has written and staged original works for theatre including Unfolding Harry and Promises Promises in this year’s Manly Festival of Short Plays and Driven to Distraction in last year’s festival.
Gavin Woodford / Harry Bennett
Gavin Woodford has been performing since 1978, when he made his stage debut as a can-can girl in a school play. Since then, his passion for the craft has taken him across stages and screens in both the UK and Australia.
His theatre work spans musical theatre with Rutland Musical Theatre (UK), opera with East Midlands Opera, and recent performances with Castle Hill Players and Manly Theatre Group (notably in Lift Me Up written and directed by Liz Jewell). Gavin's versatility has made him a strong presence in both classical and contemporary productions.
On screen, Gavin has appeared in a range of television dramas and comedies, including Colin from Accounts, The Last Anniversary, and the reboot of Mother and Son. He also worked as a featured stunt performer in the Ryan Gosling film The Fall Guy, showcasing his dynamic skill set. Currently, he is filming a role in Pamela Anderson’s upcoming project Place to Be.
In addition to acting, Gavin is an accomplished videographer, writer, and director. His latest short film, Safe Space, is set for release and has been submitted to multiple international film festivals.
Mina Vu / Suzi Sock
With a lifelong passion for storytelling, Mina Vu brings an authentic emotional depth shaped by her cross-cultural journey and background in psychology. Mina’s work spans theatre, film, award-winning documentary, modelling and national campaign, including the Manly Festival of Short Plays (2024, 2025); charities events such as Red Cross, Breast Cancer Foundation; and a health awareness project for the Australian Ministry of Health. Whether on stage or in session, her focus remains the same — to reveal the quiet truths of being human through empathy, presence, and story."
faded flowers
Faded Flowers
Homelessness in women over 50 is a systemic gender inequality that is a growing concern in Australia. The gender pays gap, relationship breakdowns, domestic violence sudden job loss, illness and the sad lack of affordable housing. This story illuminates the social impact of homelessness and the resilience of two women who although not rich in real estate refuse to be defined by monetary possessions but by intangible qualities that contribute to a rich and meaningful life.
Annie Gurton – Writer and Director Faded Flowers
Annie comes from a background in journalism and has found great joy in playwriting.
In a previous life she was a couple’s counsellor and has that and many other life experiences to draw on in her plays.
Her first play Hullo My Angel was performed in last year’s festival. This year she assisted Kathleen Walker as Assistant Director for 1 in 7 by Vivian White and The Audition Helpers by Carlin Hurdis. This year she has written and directed both No Tears in Space and Faded Flowers.
Rowena Robinson / Iris
This is Rowena’s third appearance in the Manly Theatre Group’s Short Play Festival. Having first appeared in the group’s inaugural festival in 2022, Rowena has been a keen supporter of the group. She also appeared in Carly Fisher’s Theatre Travels production of In Their Footsteps in that same year. Rowena found her love of acting while attending university in the US and has continued to participate in amateur productions, commercials and extras work in television and movies.
Caroline Pearce / Rose
For Manly Theatre Group Caroline has appeared in The Pact by Angharad Thompson Rees (2023) The Lap of the Goddesses written and directed by Dharma Hadley (2024) and third Manly Festival of Short Plays. Having discovered a love for acting a few years ago she has also performed for the Elanora Players and has studied with the Sydney Actor's Playhouse and the Actor's Pulse. She has also stage managed for Sydney Actor’s Playhouse (2025).
Charlotte Chandler / Kylie
Mikey Paterson / Ranger
Mikey Paterson came to MTG with a passion for acting but with no experience.
Doing the Accessible Acting Course at The Actor’s Centre since 2022 has dovetailed nicely with MTG providing the opportunity to perform.
Having acted in 2 plays in the first Festival, he’s shown his comedic timing and his growing confidence in the 2023 and 2024 Festivals, and he is looking forward to many more years acting on the stage or anywhere else for that matter.
In addition to acting, Mikey likes to write stories and plays and hopes one day to write TV shows and movies.
Cleared for take 0ff
Cleared for Take Off
The spear where immediate action depends on all your training and thoughtful preparation. To weather the storm or to face it head on. A high stakes decision that could risk everything. Lives. A career. When dreams and success depend on the strength of the right course of action. Will he risk everything and follow his instincts.
Shelley Ross – Writer and Director Cleared for Take Off
Shelley has spent the past 25 years as an aviation journalist, combining her passions for writing and flying light aircraft. She is a commercially licensed pilot with an insatiable appetite for adventuring through our outback by air. Cleared for Take-off is a departure from Shelley’s usual feature writing and certainly her first foray into play writing and directing! She lives locally in Seaforth and joined MTG in August after seeing our July productions.
Lee Sarich / Airline Captain
With a passion for bringing complex characters and issues to life, Lee is a dedicated actor with a background in film, television and stage. Having recently completed the 2-year Professional Conservatory of Acting program at Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York, Lee is pleased to be back on the Northern Beaches of Sydney to continue honing his craft. Recent credits include Pontius Pilate in Stephen Adly Guirgis’ The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, Joe Ryan in Andrew Bovell’s When the Rain Stops Falling and Detective Sergeant Trotter in Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap, showcasing Lee's range and versatility. When not acting, Lee enjoys a long swim in an ocean pool around the Northern Beaches and is committed to ongoing training and growth in the craft.
Callum Horan / First Officer
Callum began acting at a young age and took part in many productions while at school, including The Club and The Removalists by David Williamson, and The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams. He also has an interest in Shakespeare. He studied Theatre at university and took part in a short acting course at the National Institute of Dramatic Art in 2016. Callum has been part of Manly Theatre Group since 2024. This is Callum’s first performance with the Manly Theatre Group.
how to live forever
How to Live Forever
Health and wellbeing are much more than the absence of illness and feeling old. What is the secret to anti-aging. Are we obsessed with looking younger, or the privileges that come with looking younger. Data reveals a sharp increase in cosmetic procedures. Do you want to change the landscape and geography of your face and body. The dichotomy of aging naturally. Its wealth and privilege concealed. Is it vanity or are we tired of being invisible when we come of a certain age. What if a pill could change all that. Would you want to live forever?
Harry Kolotas - Playwright How to Live Forever
Is a local writer of plays, monologues, and podcasts. For Manly Theatre Group Harry has written Androids Like Us, Rats in The Kitchen and How to Live Forever.
Kathleen Walker – Director How to Live Forever by Harry Kolotas
Kathleen was an actor for many years and has turned her focus to writing and directing. She also leads the writers’ workshops for Manly Theatre Group and has written and directed Violet True & Poetry, The Poetry Café, Seed and Foliage. She has directed Androids Like Us, Rats in the Kitchen and How to Live Forever by Harry Kolotas, Like an Onion by Sharon Howard Butler and The Audition Helpers by Carlin Hurdis.
Stef Savannah / Jason
Stef began acting in London in the 1990’s taking on roles such as Aslan in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and Botton in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. As a playwright, his works have been staged by the Short+Sweet Festival in Sydney (Oracle) and at Riverside Studios in London (A Cracker Christmas). Stef has been involved with Manly Theatre Group since inception, contributing in many areas including set construction, writing workshops and performing.
Jane Hilton / Josie
Jane has always loved theatre and decided to dip her toe in productions last year when she joined The People’s Theatre in her hometown of Newcastle Upon Tyne, England. There she took on a role in Dad’s Army and was hooked.
On her return to Sydney Jane connected with Manly Theatre Group and was cast in this year’s festival. This will be her debut with Manly Theatre Group.
John Corrigan / Paul
John joined MTG in March 2023 and loves all things dramatics. As Marketing Director, he focuses on promoting our brand awareness in the Northern Beaches so that theatre is accessible and enjoyed by the local community. John has appeared in The Manly Theatre Group Festival of Short Plays 2023 & 2024 in, and the Manly Festival Main Stage productions of Time written by Philip Clay and directed by Stan Kouros in 2023, and Seed written and directed by Kathleen Walker in 2024 and in 2025 The Audition Helpers written by Carlin Hurdis and directed by Kathleen Walker.
Letizia De Francesco / Sonia
Letizia De Francesco is a charismatic Italian performer who has called Manly home for the past decade. Her passion for acting began in Italy and has flourished through North Shore Drama, Scene Classes with Mike Booth, and the Manly Theatre Group.
She has appeared in Violet True & Poetry by Kathleen Walker (2022), Fantasy, Man to Man by Philip Clay (2023), and Mouse by Harriet Allman Carter (2024) Manly Festival of Short Plays. In 2024, she played Ivy in Desserted! at Short + Sweet Sydney. In 2025, Letizia appeared as Evie in Taximan, Sophia in Life Drawing Class, and Mona Lisa in Mona Lisa in a Red Dress.
FOLIAGE
Foliage
There is no single answer to the purpose of life, it is deeply personal and philosophical. When core values no longer align and creative dreams quashed how do you build from there. Do you reinvent yourself, cultivate a new mindset. Or do you hold onto love and weather the storm.
Kathleen Walker – Writer and Director Foliage
Kathleen was an actor for many years and has turned her focus to writing and directing. She also leads the writers’ workshops for Manly Theatre Group and has written and directed Violet True & Poetry, The Poetry Café, Seed and Foliage. She has directed Androids Like Us, Rats in the Kitchen and How to Live Forever by Harry Kolotas, Like an Onion by Sharon Howard Butler and The Audition Helpers by Carlin Hurdis.
Maria Alejandra Feudal / Marina
Ale Feudal is an Argentinian actress based in Sydney. She has been passionate about performing arts from a young age. Ale has performed on stages across Argentina and Australia in productions such as: Desmesura and Sunday on the Rocks. For Manly Theatre Group in 2024 Rats in the Kitchen by Harry Kolotas and Foliage by Kathleen Walker.
Valentine Bru / Billy
Val is a Canadian actor living in Sydney for the better part of a decade. Predominantly working on short films, and online comedies and dramas. He is passionate about storytelling and entertaining an audience. Val appeared in Hullo my Angel written by Annie Gurton in The Manly Festival of Plays last year.
Gold Star parents
Gold Star Parents
Embrace the messy moments! Are you parenting with purpose and intention, clear values, and emotional intelligence. Are you drowning in the literature and new trends. Tired, confused and exhausted. Now identifying as a parent and no longer an individual with the constant nappy changing and feeding. Parents Group is the answer to all your support needs, or is it?
Chantal Harrison – Writer and Director Gold Star Parents
Chantal Harrison is an actor/director/writer and singer from Sydney’s Northern Beaches. She runs Northern Beaches Youth Theatre, where she performed herself as a teenager. She has been on stage and screen since childhood with credits such as Star Wars and Looking for Alibrandi. She has trained with ATYP, NIDA, VCA and Impro Melbourne and Sydney.
She performed in the Short + Sweet Festival Sydney and Senseless and Fitz this year and most recently with Manly Theatre Group in in 1 in 7 written by Vivien Thomas and directed by Kathleen Walker. Other writing credits for Manly Theatre Group include Who Even Are You for the festival in 2024.
Phillipa Coleman / Barbara
With a lifelong passion for film, theatre and performing, Phillipa has trained at The Actors Centre, Genesian Theatre, and Darlo Drama. Her credits include The Hollow, Chamber Music, Cinderella, (Lane Cove Theatre Company); The Lady of Larkspur Lotion, A Kind of Alaska (TheatreFest); The Tower (Hunters Hill Theatre); Towards Zero, Angels in Love, Appointment With Death, The Man Who Came to Dinner and Emma (Genesian Theatre Company) as well as several seasons of Theatresports.
After several decades break from performing, Phillipa has most recently appeared in The Potboiler (Bittersweet Productions), Room to Move (Genesian Theatre Director’s Workshop); School for Scandal (Lane Cove Theatre Company) and in films Back in Time, Love Rush and #TommyMustDie.
Phillipa is delighted to be making her debut with Manly Theatre Group in Gold Star Parents.
Charlotte Chandler / Amira
Charlie grew up in the UK in an amateur dramatic driven family, each bringing their own talents in acting, lighting, costumes and directing. The only way she got to see them was to join the theatre too.
Charlie moved to Australia in 2014 and had been missing the infectious community spirit until… Manly Theatre Group hit her social media early in 2022. She didn't think twice about joining the working committee and is thrilled to have been a part of the group’s journey to date. She has acted as Co-President, Secretary and Treasurer. Charlie has performed in Violet True & Poetry by Kathleen Walker (2022), and Jump by Sean Bell (2023), It’s in the Bag by Liz Jewell (2024) and this year in Gold Star Parents by Chantal Harrison and Faded Flowers by Annie Gurton.
Claudia Limpert / Amethyst
Originally from Wales, Claudia moved to Sydney in 2023 and made her debut with Manly Theatre Group in this production of 1 in 7 written by Vivien Thomas and directed by Kathleeen Walker. She’s delighted to be part of Manly Theatre Group Festival of Short Plays and stars as Amethyst in Gold Star Parents.
Max Shadbolt / Nathan
Max Shadbolt is an Australian born actor. The Manly Festival of Short Plays is his second time on stage and first with the MTG. He will be performing in both Gold Star Parents written and directed by Chantal Harrison) and Murder on the Corso written and directed by Zoe Hudson.
His previous credits include the male lead in the short NIGHT VISION (Dir. Darcy O'Rourke) selected for the 2023 Dark Nights Horror Film Festival at the Ritz Theatre Randwick. He has also performed Francis Flute/Thisbe and Cobweb in a Rowan Greaves production of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream (2025) at the Casula Powerhouse Theatre.
Max aspires to one day ride on a boxcar freight line all the way from San Francisco to Memphis, Tennessee.
Chantal Harrison / Maddie
Chantal Harrison is an actor/director/writer and singer from Sydney’s Northern Beaches. She runs Northern Beaches Youth Theatre, where she performed herself as a teenager.
She has recently performed in Short + Sweet, Senseless and Fitz and 1 in 7 with Manly Theatre Group. She has been cast as Annie in Joanna Murray-Smith's Three Little Words and looks forward to performing in Gold Star Parents which she has written and is directing for the Manly Theatre Group Festival of Short Plays.
Audrey Minami / Sarah
A love for the arts, community and connection is what brought Audrey to Manly Theatre Group. From backstage hand to scriptwriting and directing in previous years, she finally braves her way onto the stage!
LOSING the plot
Losing the Plot
In an ever-evolving celebration of life and death culture, new age green burials are the new eco-friendly practices of returning to earth in a more meaningful way, naturally. By using biodegradable shrouds and caskets, and human composting to reduce the environmental footprint. But does it offer a different kind of peace and finality that is spiritually uplifting, or does it feed the corrupt and criminal to scam.
Carlin Hurdis - Playwright Losing the Plot
Carlin has been involved with various Sydney community theatres over the past decade as an actor and director (and light-rigger, ticket-seller, refreshment-pourer, et cetera!). He’s only recently begun writing for the stage, with highlights including his one-act comedy The Audition Helpers being staged by the Manly Theatre Group in July, and his monologue Death of a Mail-man being awarded second-place at this year’s Port Macquarie One Act Play Festival.
He has also performed and assisted with shows at The Theatre on Chester, Pymble Players, the New Theatre, and the Sydney University Dramatic Society.
Paul Kininmonth – Director Losing the Plot by Carlin Hurdis
Paul started in theatre because he didn't want to. At 18, he reluctantly threw himself under the lights to shake off his adolescent straitjacket. It worked! Today, he heads up Such Stuff Productions, where he has directed nine Shakespeare Productions and the short play Elevator Ride. Paul's enjoying his directing debut with Manly Theatre Festival of Short Plays and bringing "Carlin's brilliant script to life with a fun and hard-working cast".
Angharad Thompson-Rees / Cindy
Angharad ("Harry") is a children’s author and illustrator at Little Whimsey Press. More used to writing than performing, she makes her acting debut inspired by the Manly Theatre Group’s community spirit. Her first play, The Pact, was performed at the inaugural Festival of Short Plays and at Short+Sweet Sydney.
Callum Horan / Darrell (corpse)
Callum began acting at a young age and took part in many productions while at school, including The Club and The Removalists by David Williamson, and I by Tennessee Williams. He also has an interest in Shakespeare. He studied Theatre at university and took part in a short acting course at the National Institute of Dramatic Art in 2016. Callum has been part of Manly Theatre Group since 2024. This is Callum’s first performance with the Manly Theatre Group.
Jeff Parsons / Tony
During the 1980s, Jeff performed with The Narooma Players in Dimboola, Seasons Greetings, The One Day of The Year, and Oliver. Moving to Canberra, Jeff appeared in Canberra Rep's production of Galileo, before taking a long break from the stage. Arriving in Manly in 2012, Jeff acted in A Midsummer Night's Dream, and later, with the Factory Space Theatre in All in The Garden. (Jeff enjoys “showing off”.)
Issac West / Marcus
Isaac has a bachelor's in Theatre Studies and has been in several plays with a particular interest in Shakespeare. With Such Stuff Productions, he played Lysander, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Trinculo in The Tempest. He has also portrayed Orlando in As You Like It and been an extra in the musical Camelot. Outside of the theatre, Isaac likes to stay active and works as a high school mathematics teacher.
John Cross / Kieran
John has worked extensively on camera and stage over the last 20 years. He has twice performed with Such Stuff Productions and is currently enjoying his first outing with the Manly Festival of Short Plays. John's excited by this opportunity and the challenge of performing Kieran, a character that stretches his range.
corporate nonsense
Corporate Nonsense
Is speaking obliquely, vague and confusing, really distinguishing the insiders from the outsiders. Is agility nimble or does it simply obscure the tone-deaf messages of corporate nonsense and the cringe culture of corporate lingo. Nobody likes it but everybody does it. In this hilarious situational comedy business jargon is the slam dunk so take a deep dive and circle back and enjoy the spin.
Gavin Woodford – Playwright Corporate Nonsense
Gavin Woodford has been performing since 1978, when he made his stage debut as a can-can girl in a school play. Since then, his passion for the craft has taken him across stages and screens in both the UK and Australia.
His theatre work spans musical theatre with Rutland Musical Theatre (UK), opera with East Midlands Opera, and recent performances with Castle Hill Players and Manly Theatre Group (notably in Lift Me Up written and directed by Liz Jewell). Gavin's versatility has made him a strong presence in both classical and contemporary productions.
On screen, Gavin has appeared in a range of television dramas and comedies, including Colin from Accounts, The Last Anniversary, and the reboot of Mother and Son. He also worked as a featured stunt performer in the Ryan Gosling film The Fall Guy, showcasing his dynamic skill set. Currently, he is filming a role in Pamela Anderson’s upcoming project Place to Be.
In addition to acting, Gavin is an accomplished videographer, writer, and director. His latest short film, Safe Space, is set for release and has been submitted to multiple international film festivals.
Ben Wardi – Director Corporate Nonsense by Gavin Woodford
Ben is an emerging director and producer known for his focus on bold, character-led narratives. With a background in film and television production, he is passionate about developing compelling stories for both screen and stage. He co-founded Plot Point Four, a four-person collaborative writers' room dedicated to creating original screen content. Demonstrating his drive to bring fresh, distinctive voices to life, Ben recently pitched a slate of new works to SBS and Screen Australia.
Emma Baker / Receptionist
Emma was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina and is a strong believer in the power of words and their ability to shape expression and emotion through dialogue.
Emma has always been in awe of the captivating magic of the theatre. She joined MTG in 2023 and debuted in the Manly Festival of Short Plays as Mrs Jeffries in Man to Man, written and directed by Vivien Thomas. She also performed in 2024 as Margaret in It is in the bag written and directed by Liz Jewell.
According to Emma, MTG is her "spiritual home". Emma is thrilled to be part of the working committee and support this growing community of artists in the northern beaches. She was the MTG company secretary for 2024/2025.
John Corrigan / Warren
John joined MTG in March 2023 and loves all things dramatics. As Marketing Director, he focuses on promoting our brand awareness in the Northern Beaches to ensure theatre is accessible and enjoyed by the local community. John has appeared in The Manly Theatre Group Festival of Short Plays 2023 & 2024, Manly Theatre Group main stage productions of Time written by Philip Clay and directed by Stan Kouros in 2023, and Seed written and directed by Kathleen Walker in 2024 and in 2025 The Audition Helpers written by Carlin Hurdis and directed by Kathleen Walker.
Peter Bruce / Craig
Peter first performed with Manly Theatre Group in 2023 in Fantasy written by Philip Clay and directed by David Brown.
He has acted in a range of amateur and fringe theatre productions in Melbourne and
Sydney.
He’s amazed by the creativity, energy and inclusive mantra of Manly Theatre group. He likes theatre that can present ideas, move people and make them laugh.
Festival Artistic Team
Manly Theatre Group & Festival Artistic Director – Kathleen Walker
Kathleen is a founding committee member of The Manly Theatre Group, was Co-President in 2023 and is now the Artistic Director. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Drama, Master of Arts in Directing and an Associate Degree in Creative Writing and has worked for Festival of Sydney, Carnivale, Opera Australia, Sydney Living Museums, and the University of Sydney. She has contributed to large-scale events and projects, numerous exhibitions, publications, filmmaking, and theatrical productions throughout the ACT, NSW, and QLD in Australia as an actor, designer, director, writer, and producer. She leads the creative and artistic vision for The Manly Theatre Group as Artistic Director and the writing workshops. Recent writing credits include short plays Violet True & Poetry, The Poetry Café, and Foliage and long form Unity’s Kitchen, and Seed.
Festival Production Manager Lighting & Sound Design – Geraldo Rodrigues
Is a Brazilian actor with a career in film and television, including work with Netflix, HBO, and Globo Play. He has also worked as a writer and producer. Since moving to Australia in 2022, he has continued to act in TV commercials and theatre productions and has founded Pacific Video to create video content. He is currently an assistant teacher at NIDA, Australia's leading performing arts school.
Festival Production Assistant – Dalton Ball
Dalton is an emerging crew member who works around Greater Sydney in backstage crew roles, when they can, and they have some training experience with a Certificate 3 in Live Production at TAFE. This is their first public facing production they’ve worked on. Dalton recently assisted backstage with Manly Theatre Group’s main stage production The Audition Helpers written by Carlin Hurdis and 1 in 7 written by Vivien Thomas (2025).
Vocal Coach – Isobel Kirk
Isobel is an actress, professional voice coach and aficionado of all things Shakespearian. A graduate of Australia's premier drama school (NIDA), Isobel has spent a lifetime in the entertainment industry In Australia, London and Europe – as a professional actor in theatre/film/TV/radio – also as a writer, director, producer/presenter, news reader and announcer.
Photography – Neil Thompson Rees
The Creatives would like to thank those members of the Manly Theatre Group Working Committee and President Zoe Hudson for their hard work and contribution behind the scenes to make this event possible. To the members of our creative community and to our audience, Duncan and St Andrews Presbyterian Church, Lifeline and The Northern Beaches Council, Thank you.
