Defector Art Theatre : Anything But Safe

MERRY XMAS

2011-12-06T10:50:00.000+11:00

Merry xmas everyone, no matter what you are into.

Well be back in 2012 with details of some great shows and events for 2012!

Defector Art Theatre Gallery

2011-11-07T11:51:00.005+11:00

Welcome to the Defector Art Theatre Gallery. We have looked high and low to bring you these stills from our shows. Gives you a bit of an idea of what we are about and what we have done. It is by no means finished but we will keep working and as we take more we will post them here.

9/10ths Of The Law

Rehersals for Morals

And Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep 2008

Boxashorts

Boxashorts 2

Boxashorts 5

Short But Not So Sweet 2009

Queen Lara


Karma

SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER

2011-09-19T13:04:00.001+10:00

FRANKS 'QUIET YEAR'. 3 SHOWS AND 15 SHORT FILMS

from 'A Little Bit Of Pepper'

Frank Otis founding member of Defector Art was supposed to be having a quiet year this year. But after doing 2 shows for Defector Art, 1 for Melbourne Writer's Theatre and acting in 15 short films, you would hardly call it a quiet year! So we asked Frank about it.

So what happened Frank?

I don't know (laughs) I suppose I got the short film bug, I just loved acting in all those films and it was great to come along to something and not have to worry about anything else but acting.

Any favourites?

from 'One Way'

Hard to say, you might get me into trouble but Shoeville, One Way, A Little Bit Of Pepper and One Little Decision all stick out for me.

Why?

Great crews, great stories, great parts. Shoeville, a horror, was just so out there. People reckon my stuff is strange, this one was off the planet and very well written. One Way was much straighter but well written too and it's come together really well. But I think in a film a great crew and story appear to be the most important things in a short film.

Are you going to make that many next year?

No think I will do a few less, I hope!

You put on two Boxashorts this year and tried out a 'new' venue how did that go?

from 'Boxashorts Seven'

There has been a change of management at ACOPA or as it's now known - 'Club Voltare'. Jennifer is great we get on well. So much so she is in my play for Melborn, she can act so she understands the problems of putting on a show. We had a great show there and plan to do it again. For the first time we combined short plays with short films and I think it worked well.

That's right your doing a show for Melbourne Writers Theatre?

Yeah, 'Melborn' one of my plays 'Legacy' was accepted for it and I am one of the Production Managers along with Neill Triffet. It's going to be a great show.

So what will be happening next year?

Starting to plan a big show and another reboot for Defector Art. We reboot every couple of years and I think that is why we have been around for so long. But more about our new show later.

JULY NEWSLETTER - OUR NEW SHOW IS COMING

2011-07-17T20:48:00.002+10:00

IT'S OUR EIGHTH BIRTHDAY

CELEBRATE WITH BOXASHORTS 7

Yep folks it's our eighth birthday and we are going to celebrate with 'Boxashorts 7', and what a show it will be. We have a night of theatre and film, of heaven and hell, of love and revenge, of comedy and drama. There is something for everyone in this show so come and join us. We will be presenting it at ACOPA, which is quickly becoming known for some edgy theatre! Sounds good to us!

One of the highlights of the night will be Frank's much-loved but rarely seen play 'The Devil You Know'. Well if you are going to hell you may as well enjoy it!

DETAILS

Boxashorts 7

A Defector Art Theatre Production

ACOPA

14 Raglan St North Melbourne

Tickets $20 full; $15 conc.

Saturday the 30th of July

Thursday 4th and 11th of August

All shows start at 8pm. Bar opens 7pm

Reserve tickets on 9318 5271

or purchase online by clicking here.

Tickets to Boxashorts 7

2011-07-16T22:11:00.009+10:00

Click here to find out how to get discount tickets to BOXASHORTS 6.

BOXASHORTS 7 is on Saturday 30th July
Thursday 4th and Thursday 11th of August

At: 14 Raglan St North Melbourne.

If you require particular seats (such as wheelchair accessible), please telephone us immediately on 03 9318 5271 so we can arrange this for you.

Instructions:

# Ticket purchases using this online system must be made by 5.30pm at the latest, on the day of the performance.

# Remember to bring your concession/discount card with you on the night, and present it to the Boxoffice to collect your tickets (this includes your email address if you are on the mailing list).

# Accepted discounts:
* Defector Art Mailing List Subscriber
* Arts Hub Member
* Actors Equity Member

# Accepted concessions:
* Health Care Card
* Pension Card
* Seniors Card
* Student Card

2 PLAYS YOU MUST SEE THIS WEEK!

2011-06-20T12:02:00.002+10:00

In this issue we are starting a series of reviews of plays that we find interesting. I know it is hard to believe but Defector Art is not the only theatre company that is putting on edgy/interesting stuff :) First:

SCENES FROM AN EVERYDAY AFFAIR AND SOLILOQUIES FOR MY LOST SISTERS

A double bill and only one performance left so you had better get in quick. From the minute you walk into the small theatre in Raglan St. you know your are in for something different. The entire cast are draped around the theatre in their underwear but they are not inviting you in. They all have a 'dont fuck with me' look about them. So you sit down praying you have not done anything to upset them.

The entire cast perform this play in their underwear and it works. It tells several stories of love gone wrong. Been done before yes, but not quite like this. There is some top writing and acting, although at times the direction could have been tighter. This play in itself is worth the price of admission. They skillfully take you into their world but remember don't fuck with them!

The second play is three monologues all set through different time periods and different countries but all carrying the same theme. There is some great acting here and although more still than the first play, for most of the time they keep your interest up.

DETAILS: Last performance this Thursday at 8pm. Tickets $15. You can book at www.acopa.net.au or pay at the door. Address is 14 Raglan Street North Melbourne.

THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW

Photo by GB Photography

Doug Montgomery has a rep. for putting on stuff that is a bit different and 'The Women In The Window' keeps that going. It tells two interlocking stories. One set in 1950s Soviet Union the other some time in the future. To me the Soviet story works best. Millijana Cancar really shines in this, as always with her. A simple move of an eyebrow can demand your attention. Although she does have a head start with the accent. Jonanne Trentini and Stevie Hall also really shine. Showing just how good actors they are when given a script like this.

The story set in the future has some interesting parts to it too. However, unlike the Soviet part I think that the script is a little sterotyped in parts. I am not sure if this is the writers fault or the changes made to the script by the cast and director. Also for what ever reason Madeleine Stewart and Anthony Winnick are not convincing as a couple. Their interaction is 'robotic'. It is puzzling because they both shine at other times in their performance.

In the second half of the play Madeleine 'invades' the Soviet story which just makes this work even more interesting. This is a very different play and one well worth seeing. It is the last week of this show, don't miss it.

DETAILS: Performances this Wednesday and Sunday 6pm. Thursday till Saturday 8pm. Saturday Matinee 1pm. Tickets Full $20 conc. $15 Bookings phone 93802943 Address: Brunswick Mechanics Institute Performing Arts Centre 270 Sydney Road Brunswick.

NEXT NEWSLETTER FIRST WEEK OF JULY AND WE WILL BE TELLING YOU ABOUT OUR NEW SHOW!

Defector Art is now on your mobile phone

2011-06-11T10:35:00.002+10:00

Defector Art has made some fantastic changes to its website - now you can read all the goings on straight from your mobile phone in a mobile-friendly format.

The new format looks like this:

This works on both iPhones and on Android.

The next newsletter will be out very soon so it's a great excuse to get your phone out and try out our new enhancements.

Enjoy!

Boxashorts looking for actors

2011-05-16T12:15:00.001+10:00

In the month of July we will be presenting a show in North Melbourne every Saturday night. It is called 'Boxashorts'. It will be a night of theatre and film and we require actors for the theatre part of the night.

The show will consist of short plays by award winning writer and director Frank Otis. The main play will be his much loved 'The Devil You Know'. We require actors both male and female in the 18 to 30 (approx.) age bracket. The role of God will be played by a female and the devil by a male. In both these roles you will be expected to wear skimpy/hot gear, only those comfortable with their bodies should apply for these roles. However there are plenty of other good/big roles where you get to wear all your clothes!

Auditions will be held on Saturday the 21^st of May with rehearsals starting soon after. This is not a paid role as Defector Art is trying to pay off some debts. But it should be fun and looks great on your resume as Defector Art has done performances in both Melbourne and Sydney. For further details you can contact Frank at frankotis@hotmail.com or phone 0425709557.

DEFECTOR ART TAKES ON 2011

2011-03-10T23:49:00.001+11:00

This is the time! This is the year! Defector Art Theatre will be pushing more boundaries this year! As we enter our eighth year it's time to relight the fire in our hearts and take risks. That is what Defector Art is all about!

SO WHAT HAVE WE DONE THIS YEAR

Our Boxashorts show which for the first time combined theatre, film and burlesque was enjoyed by everyone. The show covered many issues. Issues that other companies don't want to touch, but we did. People are asking when we will be doing one again, hang in there it will happen. A big thank you to Suzy Markvoski who produced the show, acted in the theatre section, showed one of her own films and performed in the Burlesque section at the end of the night. And boy did that open up some eyes!

Frank Otis and Stevie Hall hit the road and performed in Sydney for Short and Sweet. The thing is at the last minute they had to get a new play together. So Frank wrote and Frank and Stevie rehearsed and got a play together in 48 hours. No it's not a record but it was pretty tight. What's more the play was well received by audience and judges. It will be performed in Melbourne later in the year.

SO WHAT ARE WE DOING FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR

Well sorry can't say much yet but a show is being planned for about the middle of the year. This show will be getting back to basics for Defector Art. We want people to either love or hate it. We plan to push a lot of buttons. More info on it soon!

FIRST SHOW OF THE YEAR BOXASHORTS 6

2011-01-12T20:43:00.003+11:00

OUR FIRST SHOW FOR 2011

BOXASHORTS 6

EXPAND YOUR SENSES

a night of burlesque

short film and theatre

That's right in our first show of the year Defector Art Theatre is going places we have never been before. As well as a great night of theatre (including Frank's new short play 'A Romantic Comedy' which will shortly be going to Sydney) we will also be presenting short films from some of Melbourne's best indi film makers, and if thats not enough how about a bit of burlesque to chuck into the mix.

ONE NIGHT ONLY

Thursday 27th of January

at 8pm bar opens 7pm

Station 59

59 Church Street Richmond

Tickets $20 full $12 conc

Book online at defectorart.com

Reserve tickets on 9318 5271

Or just pay at the door (cash only)

Tickets to BOXASHORTS 6

2011-01-11T22:23:00.002+11:00

Click here to find out how to get discount tickets to BOXASHORTS 6.

BOXASHORTS 6 is on ONE NIGHT ONLY Thursday 27th of January.
At: Station 59, 59 Church Street Richmond.
If you require particular seats (such as wheelchair accessible), please telephone us immediately on 03 9318 5271 so we can arrange this for you.

Defector Art is part of Short + Sweet 2010!

2010-11-21T22:53:00.002+11:00

As previously announced, Defector Art will be part of Short+Sweet 2010!!

SHORT+SWEET THEATRE MELBOURNE

To view or send an Eflyer to a friend click here

“What can you do in 10 minutes?” That’s the challenge thrown down by the Melbourne Short+Sweet this year in it’s new lineup of short works. Get ready to be stimulated, inspired and confronted, infatuated, terrified and tantalised when some of Melbourne’s best established and emerging artists bring 50 brand spanking new short works to Chapel Off Chapel next month.

What: A Romantic Comedy
Where: Chapel Off Chapel - 12 Lt Chapel St, Prahran
When: Wednesday 24 November to Saturday 27 November from 8pm (the whole show runs November 17-December 5)

To buy tickets, click here

BOXASHORTS 5 READY TO F##K WITH YOUR HEAD

2010-10-29T15:55:00.003+11:00

It opens next week and closes next week, so you haven't got much time but it will be worth it! Announcing Defector Art Theatre's 30th show!

BOXASHORTS 5

Some short plays can jump out at you....

these will!

See the play that shocked and divided Sydney audiences last year at Short And Sweet Sydney, 'Shock Therapy'. See the first serious short play that Frank ever wrote, the acclaimed '9/10th Of The Law'. See Frank's 'attempt!!!' at a family comedy drama 'Morals' one that has to be seen to be believed! You will also get to see two new works by Rebecca Gill. How much more could you want? Well we will give you more! Seven plays in one night as only Defector Art Theatre can!

8.00pm Wednesday November 3rd

till Saturday November 6th

Northcote Town Hall

191 High St Northcote

Tickets $25 full $15 conc.

Bookings online at www.defectorart.com

Reserve tickets on 93185271

Just pay at the door (Cash only)

Tickets to BOXASHORTS 5

2010-10-27T20:55:00.008+11:00

Click here to find out how to get discount tickets to BOXASHORTS 5.

BOXASHORTS 5 is on from Wednesday 3rd November to Saturday 6th November at 8.00pm.
Studio 1, Northcote Town Hall, 191 High Street Northcote.
If you require particular seats (such as wheelchair accessible), please telephone us immediately on 03 9318 5271 so we can arrange this for you.

Independent Theatre Launch Party!

2010-10-17T19:22:00.002+11:00

Yep you read right $15 including beer and wine, crazy hey! Our account is playing with razor blades! Anyway enough about the price let's talk about what it's about.

It's a celebration on indi theatre and Defector Art is certainly that. It is also going to launch Boxashorts 5 which just happens to be our 30th show. So even though we're broke we are in a party mood and want to give something back to you. Let's face it, with all that is on offer it has to be the best value show in Melbourne. So come along and have a good time.

PLEASE NOTE: This is not a normal Defector Art show and with the cheap prices of tickets no discounts apply.

TAKIN THE PISS 2010

2010-09-17T17:17:00.001+10:00

IT'S BACK! BIGGER BADDER AND BETER THAN BEFORE!

TAKIN THE PISS 2010

It's a night of comedy + a little bit of drama, raffles and prizes and it's called 'Takin The Piss'. We haven't done one of these (well so our bank manager says) in a long time so we are going to make this one the best. We are in some serious debt so help keep Defector Art Theatre going and have a good time whilst you are doing it! What more could you ask for? Cheap booze? Yep there is that too!

WHERE: Station 59 59 Church St Richmond

WHEN: Tuesday 28th of September at 8.00pm

COST: $25 Full $15 Conc.

BOOKINGS: You can book online at www.defectorart.com

or just turn up at the door.

Doors open 7.30

RESULTS OF JUDGES VOTES FOR SHORT AND SWEET 10

2010-08-14T12:05:00.001+10:00

Sorry about this being soooo late but here at last are the Judges Nominations and Awards for Short But Not So Sweet '10

BEST SCRIPT

Alex Broun for 'A Pubic Hair By Johnny Depp'

Liesl Hinde for 'Confessions Of A Dirt Eater'

Frank Otis for 'Alone'

Carmen Saarelaht for 'I'm Not Blonde'

And the winner is: Alex Broun for 'A Pubic Hair By Johnny Depp'

BEST DIRECTION

Megan Dale for 'A Pubic Hair By Johnny Depp'

Rebecca Gill for 'Diary Of Ian'

Michelle McNamara for 'Justice'

Doug Montgomery for 'Confessions Of A Dirt Eater'

Frank Otis for 'Alone'

And the winner is: Frank Otis for 'Alone'

BEST MALE ACTOR

Brendan Etherington for 'Diary Of Ian'

Stephen Jones for 'A Pubic Hair By Johnny Depp'

Mark Taylor for 'Justice' and 'Diary Of Ian'

And the winner is: Stephen Jones for 'A Pubic Hair By Johnny Depp'

BEST FEMALE ACTOR

Whitney Duff for 'Confessions Of A Dirt Eater' and 'Alone'

Ruth Lawlor for 'A Pubic Hair By Johnny Depp'

Elizabeth Semmel for 'Justice'

Jenita Spirtovic for 'Alone'

And the winner is: Jenita Spirtovic for 'Alone'

BEST OVERALL PRODUCTION

Alone

A Pubic Hair By Johnny Depp

Confessions Of A Dirt Eater

Diary Of Ian

Justice

And the winner is: Justice

Results for Popular Vote click here

RESULTS OF POPULAR VOTE FOR SHORT BUT NO SO SWEET '10

2010-07-19T16:03:00.010+10:00

They have been checked and rechecked, here are the results for the most popular plays in 'Short But Not So Sweet'10. Full article to come.

1ST A PUBIC HAIR BY JOHNNY DEPP
This play will now go onto the wild cards in Short And Sweet Melbourne

Written by ... Alex Broun
Directed by ... Megan Dale
CAST
Hemos ... Stephen Jones
Celia ... Ruth Lawlor
Aaron ... Matt Granato
Music ... Dean Thomson

2nd JUSTICE

Written and Directed by ... Rebecca Gill
CAST
Ian ... Brendan Etherington
Josh ... Mark Taylor

3rd DIARY OF IAN

Written by ... Mary Zegura
Directed by ... Michelle McNamara
CAST
Woman ... Elizabeth Semmel
Man ... Mark Taylor

Results for Judges Vote click here

SHORT BUT NOT SO SWEET '10

2010-07-02T19:18:00.007+10:00

It's back! Bigger, badder and better than before. Short But Not So Sweet.

10 Minute plays that know no bounds. If you like your plays to shock, amuse or make you think then this festival is for you! Including plays by Alex Broun, Frank Otis and some of Victoria's new top writers.

Last year's winner, Emma Moore, went on to win Best New Talent in Short And Sweet, and she also had a baby, so anything can happen.

We have some major sponsors: 'Starnow' and 'Broken Mirror', and with major sponsors comes major prizes. These prizes are to help people in their artistic quests.

As can happen, a couple of plays have had to pull out due to health reasons, so to make up we have something very special. It's a big surprise, but we can tell you it's a first in the world and deals with red hair and voting.

The show is on from Wednesday July 14th till Saturday July 17th at 8pm. Held at Studio 1 Northcote Town Hall, 189 High Street Northcote. Tickets are $25.00 full or $15 conc. You can book online here or reserve your tickets on 93185271.

See you there!

Click Here to Buy Tickets!

Tickets to Short But Not So Sweet 2010

2010-06-30T12:37:00.014+10:00

Click here to find out how to get discount tickets to Short But Not So Sweet 2010.

Short But Not So Sweet is on from Wednesday July 14th to Saturday July 17th at 8pm.

Studio 1, Northcote Town Hall, 189 High Street Northcote.

If you require particular seats (such as wheelchair accessible), please telephone us immediately on 03 9318 5271 so we can arrange this for you.

Queen Lara a hit!

2010-05-22T13:52:00.008+10:00

Well Queen Lara was an absolute hit! Thank you to everyone that attended (we sold out on two of the four nights - and the other two nights we had a max of 6 spare seats!) and we're so glad you enjoyed the show. The feedback was phenomenal.

A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR

Wow, what a ride. I first came up with the idea of Queen Lara about two years ago. Being my 10th full length play I wanted to make it something special. I was not inspired by the rebirth of the vampire film again but by a 1951 sci fi called 'The Day The Earth Stood Still'. I loved it's big stick approach and thought it was time to do that again.

But what formed in my head was a 2 ½ hour play with a cast of over 30. Impossible at this level of theatre. So I spent over a year cutting it back to a level that I thought was at least possible to put on stage. To my delight I loved this scaled down version which you will see tonight.
But it hasn't been an easy ride getting here. We had a false start with people that didn't work out, that put us behind time. Even when we settled on a great cast other problems arose, they were taken care of and we battled on.

And speaking of battles lets not forget the directors and myself. The three of us have all gone through stages of pulling out our hair and sometimes each others hair. Some call it artistic differences - I call it theatre.

There is only one reason that this play has come together into something I am so proud of and that is EVERYONE has gone beyond the call of duty. That is the Directors, the entire Cast, our lighting guy Doug and not forgetting our ever forgiving Stage Manager Whitney and our make up artist Rebecca. If anyone needed proof that anything is possible if we all pull together then this play is that!

Cast

Queen Lara.....Jenita Spirtovic (pictured top)
Vampire Julie.....Ellie Etheve
Vampire Sophie.....Katie Kilgour
Janet Richardson.....Flame Alicia Divine
Vampire Mark.....Kindar Soares (pictured above)
Vampire Magda.....Pavlina Itter
Vampire Isabel.....Celina Page
Carl Brady.....Michael Fenemore-Cocks
John Phillips.....Frank Otis

Crew

Written by.....Frank Otis
Directed by.....Paul Otis and L'hibou Hornung
Stage Manager.....Whitney Duff
Lighting Design.....Douglas Scott Montgomery
Original Music by.....Paul Otis
Performed by.....Paul Otis and L'hibou Hornung
Makeup Artist.....Rebecca Gill

'QUEEN LARA' FIRST NIGHT SOLD OUT!

2010-05-06T11:36:00.000+10:00

Thats right folks our first night sold out. So you had better reserve your tickets quick on 93185271. Queen Lara has had a great audience reaction so you don't want to miss out. SO BOOK NOW. For further info on the show see previous posts.

WHAT, YOU HAVEN'T GOT YOUR TICKETS TO QUEEN LARA YET?!

2010-04-23T13:12:00.000+10:00

WHAT, YOU HAVEN'T GOT YOUR TICKETS TO

QUEEN LARA YET?!

DON'T WORRY DON'T PANIC

There is still time to get tickets so please, breathe! You know that it is Frank Otis' 10th full length play and you know that it is one of the biggest productions ever mounted by Defector Art.

You know that it tells the story of Lara Queen of the Vampires. A Queen who is doing the big no, no, working with other humans. What will the other vampires do when they find out? Well, if you see the play you will know, if you don't, well -

You know that it is playing at Northcote Town Hall 189 High Street Northcote from Wednesday the 5th of May till Saturday the 8th of May at 8pm. And of course tickets are only $25 full and $15 conc.

You know you don't want to be the only person in the known universe to miss this play! How alone would you feel???

So if I were you, I would either purchase tickets online right now or I would reserve my tickets on 93185271.

Do it now for your own piece of mind.

QUEEN LARA is coming real soon

2010-04-02T12:59:00.005+11:00

Pictured Jenita Spirtovic as Queen Lara

For Lara, being Queen of the Vampires is hard work. But how hard is she prepared to work to feed her hungry clan? Whose laws will she break and what risks is she prepared to take. And will it end with carnage, or can vampires ultimately strike a bargain with the human race.

This is a vampire story with a difference, well for a start it's a play and not a film, but that's not all. In typical Frank Otis style he has tipped the vampire world upside down and given it a good shake.

Defector Art Theatre is proud to present you this production that will not only entertain you but keep you thinking well after it is over.

Written by Frank Otis
Directed by Paul Otis and L'hibou Hornung

CAST
Jenita Spirtovic, Ellie Etheve, Katie Kilgour, Flame Divine, Kindar Soares,
Pavlina Itter, Celina Page, Michael Fenemore-Cocks and Frank Otis.

Wednesday 5th of May till Saturday 8th of May at 8pm

Studio 2

Northcote Town Hall

189 High St Northcote

Tickets $25 full $15 conc

Bar Open 7.30pm

Book online at www.defectorart.com

or reserve your tickets on 93185271

Warning this play contains violence, sex scenes, nudity and strong coarse language.

Queen Lara - The Box

2010-03-31T21:00:00.006+11:00

Queen Lara - The Box

Writer: Frank Otis

by: Melissa Hyatt-Boyle, The Box

Box Hill Tafe music student, Jenita Spirtovic [pictured], delivered a solid performance starring in Queen Lara presented by Defector Art Theatre at Northcote Town Hall from the 5th til the 9th of May.

Defector Art Theatre's slogan, 'Anything But Safe' can be used to describe Frank Otis' tenth full length play, Queen Lara.

It's risky to present a play with vampires these days. It is riskier still to have a vampire address the audience in the first act to declare all the audience thinks they know about vampires is false. If you write an [sic] 'your [sic] about to be blown away' remark into your play, you had best deliver. Promise of a new twist on vampires in Queen Lara, however, was disappointing.

It may have been the ratted 80s looking hair and costumes that let the production down. It may have been the vampire world scenes differentiated only by the actors hissing and moaning their lines as they writhed around on the stage. Had it not been for that initial boast of something new, however, it may not have been so disappointing.

Thankfully the initial disappointment didn't linger. The overall production of Queen Lara proved to be worth the risk. The concept of vampires helping humans to evolve is interesting. Otis in his character Queen Lara (Spirtovic) explores the shades of grey surrounding what is wrong or right. The sacrifice of a few for the common good. Even if a leader has good intentions how far can he/she bend the rules? Otis says his inspiration came not from the rebirth of the vampire films but from the 1951 sci fi 'The Day the Earth Stood Still'.

As both writer and an actor in the play, Otis has some brilliant moments. In the final act Janet (Flame Alicia Divine) forces John (Frank Otis) to strip against his will using mind control. Janet stage right facing audience - back to John, mimics taking one article of clothing off at a time. As she does John, centre stage, removes the corresponding item. The scene was done very well with actors, lighting (Douglas Scott Montgomery) and stage direction (Paul Otis and L'hibou Hornung) all coming together beautifully. Had the synchronisation been perfect the scene would have been flawless.

All of the club scenes were impressive. It's incredible how well a simplistic approach to stage design can be so effective. The club atmosphere was captured without the set taking over. Flashing lights and original music (Paul Otis) came from back stage along with use of a smoke machine. With this approach actors were given freedom of movement and were able to be heard clearly.

Frank Otis says there are two things that make Defector Art Theatre unique. One, which is worth Box Hill Tafe students taking note of, is opportunity. Otis says, '(they) love giving people a chance to show off their craft. It doesn't matter if you are an actor, writer or director.' They don't care about your experience, just your talent.

The other is their 'Anything but safe' slogan, their love of challenging an audience. This is ultimately what paid off in Queen Lara and makes Frank Otis and the theatre company worth keeping track of.

The Box

FRANK OTIS RECEIVES AWARD AT SYDNEY SHORT AND SWEET

2010-03-13T19:36:00.000+11:00

Defector Art Theatre presented another successful play at Sydney's Short And Sweet. 'Morals' was Frank's attempt at a family drama. It just so happens that this family were also serial killers. The dark comedy was well received by Sydney audiences. It was on Week 6 at the Newtown Theatre. It was a very strong week of plays and this was reflected in audience numbers. The Theatre almost sold out every night and that week was the best attended for the whole Short And Sweet Festival at
Newtown Theatre!

Featured photo 'Morals'; from left to right: Whitney Duff, Jesikah Brown, Denise Kuchmar and Frank Otis.

On their last night of performance there was a surprise for Frank Otis. He received a 'Silver Award' for making it into Short And Sweet five times. The other Defector Art plays that made it into Short And Sweet are:

'9/10ths Of The Law'
'A Dish Best Served Cold'
'Shock Therapy
'Buck's night'

Every one of these plays has stirred the pot known as Short And Sweet but that is what Defector Art is all about.

After Frank received his award he was heard to say "you know this is better than winning an Acamady Award, no seriously I don't have to thank God!". Frank also announced that he would be looking at presenting all the plays in one show later in the year!

AS DEFECTOR ART HEADS TO SYDNEY 2010 PROMISES TO BE A BIG YEAR

2010-02-06T19:03:00.007+11:00

AS DEFECTOR ART HEADS TO SYDNEY

2010 PROMISES TO BE A BIG YEAR

Defector Art is once again heading for Sydney at the start of the biggest year yet for Defector Art. This is the second time Defector Art has made it into the finals of the Sydney show and the fifth time that Defector Art has made it into the finals of Short and Sweet. Therefore Defector Art will be receiving a silver award for that achievement.

Morals which premiered in Victoria a couple of years ago will have it's Sydney premier as part of the Short
And Sweet festival.

The cast for this show include the very talented Jessikah Brown as the daughter. Frank Otis met Jessikah in Sydney last year and this is the first chance they have had to work together, ironically going back to Sydney even though the live two suburbs apart. Although this is her first production with Defector Art she has seen a number of performances and therefore is no stranger to Defector Art.

Denise Kuchmar who has directed for Defector Art's Short But Not So Sweet makes a welcome return to stage playing Frank's wife. Also featured is Whitney Duff who is no stranger to film but has not done much theatre. However you will be hard pressed to know that.

The cast plan to work hard and play hard, and Sydney will never be the same.

CASTING SHORT AND SWEET SYDNEY

2009-12-12T20:11:00.003+11:00

CASTING SHORT AND SWEET SYDNEY

For the 2nd time, Defector Art Theatre will be part of the Sydney Short And Sweet festival. We require a female actor between the ages of 20 to 30. The play is a comedy about a family of mass murderers. You will be playing a kidnap victim. Even though you are stripped to your underwear waiting to be killed, you are not at all worried. As a matter of fact, you talk the family into letting you go, well sort of.

The rehearsals will be in Melbourne. You will be required to get yourself to Sydney but we will provide accommodation once there.

The performance dates in Sydney are the 10th to the 14th of February, however you need to be there on the 8th for tech. runs etc.

For further details contact Frank Otis on 0425 709 557.

TO ALL OUR SUPPORTERS THANKYOU AND MERRY CHRISTMAS

2009-12-09T20:10:00.001+11:00

TO ALL OUR SUPPORTERS

THANKYOU

AND MERRY CHRISTMAS

EMMA MOORE KICKS ARSE AT SHORT AND SWEET

As you may already know Emma Moore won best overall production at this years 'Short But Not So Sweet'. This meant her production would go straight into the finals of 'Short And Sweet'. But not only did it also make it into the Gala Final, Emma won Best New Talent for her play 'You May Kiss The Bride'. Emma has vast experience as an actor but this was the first play she had ever written. Congratulations Emma!

Frank Otis (Artistic Director of Defector Art Theatre) remembers when Emma first showed him the script. “Sometimes you get a feeling that someone would be a good writer. When Emma mentioned to me that she was having a go at writing, I thought she could be good. When she showed me the script I was not disappointed.” Frank also said that he has already read Emma's next play, he would not say what it's about but did say: “Let's just say Emma is not a one hit wonder, her new play, when she decides to put it on should do well too, it's great!”

Also winning on the night was Douglas Scott Montgomery for Best Director. It just so happens that Douglas won Best Production for the first Short But Not So Sweet in 2008. Said Frank “Nobody can deny that we are having an effect on Short And Sweet and hopefully that will continue this year. I think both festivals are the better for it.”

But on another note Frank's mood changed when asked about 'Short + Sweet's new edgy look. Pulling a dead-pan face, “Look just because Rachel (Baring, Artistic Director for Short + Sweet) put on a play that the Victorian Arts Centre banned doesn't make Short + Sweet edgy. They want edgy? We will give them edgy! Just wait for Short But Not So Sweet next July, we accept the challenge and we will meet it!”

Yeah right, Frank. Whatever. We love you both. *grin*

New! New! New!

2009-11-10T20:33:00.005+11:00

NEW WEBSITE!

NEW DIRECTOR!

NEW SHOWS!

NEW WEBSITE

After many hours of hard work we have a new website. We haven't quite finished it, that will happen over the next month. It is easier to read, easier to navigate and you can even make your own Comments. Why you can even review one of our shows (gulp!) so check it out. We reserve the right to remove any Comment that we deem unsuitable for the website.

NEW DIRECTOR!

Defector Art Theatre is proud to announce that multi award winning Director L'hibou Hornung is joining our team. She has won a string of awards in New Zealand and Tasmania before coming to Melbourne. They include The Golden Key International Academic Honour Society and the Deans Roll Of Excellence. Her play Lucid was highly commended at the Dunedin Fringe Awards. As well as a Director, L'hibou is also a writer, designer and a composer. What is more exciting however is that L'hibou is just as bent as we are. So she is going to fit into Defector Art quite well.

Her first major production for Defector Art will be Frank Otis' new vampire play Queen Lara (working title) she will be co-directing with Paul Otis. L'hibou has read a draft copy of the script and loves it. This play will be premiering in May and we look forward to working with L'hibou.

OUR SHORT AND SWEET ENTRIES

Defector Art Theatre has made it into the finals of Short And Sweet in both Melbourne and Sydney. This means Defector Art Theatre will receive a Silver Award in Sydney for making it five times into the finals! The plays are different for Melbourne and Sydney.

The Melbourne play is Bucks Night. A group of friends go out on a bucks night together, however, when the stripper does her thing one of the guys decides it is time to resolve some issues and he turns the night into a nightmare. This play will be performed in the first week of Short And Sweet between the 18th and 21st of November. It will be on at Chapel Off Chapel. You can go to the Short And Sweet Melbourne 2009 website for ticket and further information.

The play we are doing in Sydney will be Morals. This play has been performed in Melbourne but not Sydney. It's a comedy! Alright it's a comedy about serial killers!! The play will be performed in February. Further details as they come to hand.

THE NAKED TRUTH ABOUT DEFECTOR ART

2009-09-06T19:55:00.000+10:00

Defector Art Theatre is taking a break (but that doesn't mean founding member Frank Otis is not busy). With some big projects planned for next year and after the success of 'Short But Not So Sweet' we decided to ask Frank about the past, present and future of Defector Art. We also asked him about some of the rumours going around in the industry.

Why was Defector Art Theatre set up in the first place?

I was in a theatre company that was good but very straight and I decided that the only way I was going to do the theatre that I wanted to do was to set up my own.

So what is Defector Art about?

Two things, basically: one is opportunity. We love giving people a chance to show off their craft. It doesn't matter if you are an actor, writer or director. We don't care how much experience you have had, just that you are good at what you do. If you take a look out our recent 'Short But Not So Sweet', we gave opportunities to ten writers, ten directors and over 20 actors. All performing to packed houses. The women who won best female actor had never performed on stage before. We love that type of shit! It's what we've been about since day one and we still are.

The second thing is our slogan 'Anything but safe'. We love to do theatre that challenges an audience. That will maybe make them question what society is about, or what they are about. We don't want to do what is expected or acceptable. We love breaking the rules.

It seems a great time to ask about the 'naked theatre' jibs.

Yeah, Iook, quite frankly we don't care. If a play has a nude scene in it and it's part of the story, we do it. It's that simple. We don't have long meetings about it.

Nudity has been a part of art since day one and nobody is going to change that. Writers know that we are not going to freak out if their play has nudity in it, so they tend to come to us rather than other theatre companies. Because of that we probably do more nudity than most other theatre companies. But so what? I refer you back to our slogan.

Some people are saying that you look for nude roles.

Really? Well, I think that's a reflection on themselves. Look, I think that if you are going to do something different, you are going to get flack about it. It's human nature. Maybe I will write a play about it one day.

Speaking of writing is it true you went through a dry spell?

Yes it is, but every artist goes through it. That doesn't stop you thinking that you will never write again. However, in the last twelve months I've written one full length and four short plays. So I think it's well and truly over.

Defector Art is taking a couple of months off, what are you doing?

Well, I have just finished writing a play for a primary school and I will also be doing a show for Melbourne Writers Theatre (more about that next month). As well as that, we have Melbourne and Sydney Short And Sweet coming up!

Good to see you are taking a break! What has Defector Art got planned?

We have just heard that we have made the top 30 of Melbourne Short And Sweet and we have also made it into Sydney! Next year will be Defector Art's biggest year. We will be opening the year with our biggest production yet. It's a vampire play and we already have a costume designer. It is going to be big, sexy and scary and there is a message behind it.

Sounds interesting how can actors apply if they are interested?

We will take expressions of interest now. They can send their resumes to us. We will be holding our first lot of auditions later in the year. However, I should point out we are looking for actors who will commit to this project. We want to make it the best show we have ever put on. I should also point out that there is nudity in the play. It is a vampire play. So if you are comfortable with your own and other people's bodies, it would be an advantage.

What else is planned for 2010?

Well, of course we are going to do 'Short But Not So Sweet' again, that will be in July. Later in the year we are planning to bring back 'Boxashorts'. So it should be a great year!

Thank you Frank.

Thank you.

Interview: Alex Broun/Frank Otis

2009-09-05T17:03:00.001+10:00

Alex Broun/Frank Otis

Written by Paul Andrew
Friday, 23 March 2007 04:38
Left - Alex Broun ALEX BROUN Alex - tell me about the Subversive season, what it’s about and how it spins off Short and Sweet? Subversive is the latest offering by Defector Art, a Melbourne Independent Theatre group run by a very talented local writer and director Frank Otis. Frank has been working in the ten-minute form for a number of years and Subversiveis his latest offering of ten-minute plays with a Subversive theme.Frank's also decided to include a couple of my plays in the selectionwith a Subversive theme. Defector Art are one of three independent Melbourne Theatre companiesthat the Arts Centre is engaging with through the Short & Sweetprogramme. The other two are the Melbourne Writer's Theatre and CrashTest Drama. All three companies are working in the ten-minute form andthus the connection with Short & Sweet, the world's largestten-minute theatre festival, which has been running in Melbourne since2005. During the year Short & Sweet will be giving these three companiesadministrative and artistic support (where possible and appropriate) tohelp them develop works which may then be included in the Short &Sweet Festival at the end of the year. Melbourne has an incrediblyvibrant independent theatre scene and through our collaboration withthese companies Short & Sweet is hoping to further develop andenrich the programme for the Short & Sweet Melbourne festival for2007. As Artistic co-ordinator of Short & Sweet Melbourne since2005, I'll be playing a role in that collaboration and development ofwork with the three companies. Gun Laws, a drama about two very different cops. Tell me about this play. Gun Laws explores the climate of fear that is ever present,building in our society and how that pressure effects two female copscalled into a tense position while searching for a suspect sought inrelation to the death of a policeman. The pressure society is under asa whole is forever threatening to buckle the whole structure of WesternSociety and for those charged with upholding the "law" the pressure iseven greater. Cops are human too - though I know it's hard to believethat when you see what some cops do, especially to protestors! When the chinks in one young constable start to show how will the otherreact? Support her or will her own fear cause her to turn on herpartner. The fact that the cops are women, in a male dominatedenvironment, playing essentially male roles add another interestingelement to the play - I hope. The Choice, in which one simple act forever changes a man's life and the lives of those around him. The Choiceis about addiction. A recovering addict has been clean for some time.He has a young son and is trying to pull his life together. Somethinggoes wrong and he considers throwing it all away. "Picking up”, whichis a recovering addicts term for starting to use drugs again. Hissponsor, a friend who helped him when he was first recovering, flies in to talk some sense into him. The recoveringaddict’s decision has been made. Or has it? Can his friend talk himaround? This play is kind of a double "subversion". Drug taking is asubversive act in society but here a character is trying to subvertanother characters' desire to use drugs. And the reason he is doingthis are not what you may expect. How would you describe the works by Otis? Frank likes to tackle difficult issues - straight on. He runs towardsthe bon fire, rather than backs away. He likes to put characters inhigh-pressure situations then stands back and watches them explode. Hedocuments the personal destruction of our times. The mini-explosions.There is a real danger to his work. There's often sex and violence aswell - which could make them crowd pleasers. How did you two become collaborators? I saw Defector Art's Box-a-shorts last year during the Melbourne Fringeat Gasworks - which was an impressive season, with some great writingand acting. Many of those involved went on to be involved in Short& Sweet 2006. After that I met up with Frank to see how we couldhelp to perhaps bring a Defector Art production into Short & Sweet.That process continues! What is the prevailing mood for the Subversive season? The prevailing mood for Subversive I think is edge, danger - with theever-present threat of an explosion looming above all the plays. Ithink audiences should expect to be confronted and provoked - have somepre-conceptions challenged. It promises to be a thrilling night oftheatre with some good writing and some fine performances. Where can audiences find out a little more about Defector and indeed Short and Sweet 2007? To find out more about Defector Art contact Frank Otis at frankotis@hotmail.com To find more about Short & Sweet visit ourwebsite at www.theartscentre.net.au/shortandsweet. Our call for entries for 2007 Short & Sweet opens in early April. FRANK OTIS Frank you are an actor, playwright and director. Which of these roles do you find yourself enjoying the most? I like writing the best. You can say what you want, what you need tosay as an artist, and I still get a big buzz about other peopleperforming my work. I love watching my story develop sometimes in waysI never dreamed of when I started the real writing. Then the actors dosomething with it again. It's great! It can be hair pulling but that'spart of the process. Acting would come next. I love being on stage andgetting that instant audience reaction. There is nothing like it. Last year your short play; 9/10ths of the Law was a part of the successful 2006 short and sweet season? Yes. Getting a play performed at the Victorian Art Centre was achallenge and just the whole buzz of Short and Sweet - it was great!The difficult part was that we had only 12 days notice when the othershad months. That was another real challenge, but we did it, we had justmissed out on the wild card section, someone pulled out, so we were putin. How did Defector Art theatre begin? I formed the company with my brother Paul and we adopted the slogan'anything but safe'. It is something the company still lives by - I'mloving it! Some of my plays have been called subversive and it is now illegal tobe subversive so it seemed like a good idea. I think the plays that arecontroversial are plays they either question long held beliefs or talkabout issues that society doesn't want to talk about. 'The devil you know'deals with the churches attitude towards gays and other issues aboutreligion. In this play the devil is the goodie and god is the baddie.It is a comedy but it attacks everything the church has told us aboutChristianity. I have had actors refuse to do this play because theydon't like what it says. Fuck you, is a play about two drunk Aussies who finally explore their repressed sexuality. What who or when inspired this particular play? I saw two drink guys at a pub, they almost got into a blue. But justwhen it seemed like they were going to hit each other, they hugged. Thesad thing is that I think they only hug each other when they’re pissed.I also started to think about how sportsmen are allowed to hug and pateach other’s bums on the field. But do this off the field or when yoursober you are accused of being a 'poof' so I decided to write about it. Is A Dish Best Served Cold a revenge play? Yes, It’s about rape. This play will hopefully cause a stir because itdeals with things about rape we still don't talk about. It also dealswith a way of getting back at a rapist that is ugly and dangerous.Dangerous to the victims. So dangerous that actual rape survivors, findthis revenge fantasy hard to talk about. Harder to act out. But thesewomen are going to have a good go at it. And Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep? The play starts out about a woman who is having nightmares. Throughtherapy she remembers that her father raped her when she was a child.Her father is very rich but she bravely decides to take her father tocourt. Truth or fiction - it’s the age-old question - do you write about your own life? I make up most of my stories. I also stretch the truth to come up witha story but the emotions in those stories I have mostly felt. I do notbelieve in the bullshit of get something good out of everything thathappens to you but my life has given me some insights into the bad andgood of humanity and isn't that what art is about?

Source: Australian Stage

2010 Calendar

2009-09-05T16:19:00.006+10:00

EARLY MAYQueen Lara. An exciting brand new full length play from Frank Otis. After the war between the Vampires and the First Cabal, the victors will rule the spoils, the human race.

MID JULYShort But Not So Sweet 10 It's our third Short But Not So Sweet. 10 short plays by 10 authors that love to play with your brain.

LATER IN THE YEARSilver. See all the plays that have earned their place in Short And Sweet including '9/10ths Of The Law', 'A Dish Best Served Cold', 'Shock Therapy', 'Bucksnight' and 'Morals'. These are the plays that Frank won a Silver Award and it promises to be an amazing night.

2009 Calendar

2009-09-05T16:18:00.010+10:00

FEBRUARYShort And Sweet Sydney.For the first time ever Defector Art Theatre will be going interstate! We will be performing in the top 90 of Sydney's Short And Sweet. The play will be the controversial, anti-torture 'Shock Therapy'. It will be interesting to see what Sydney thinks of it.

JUNEShort But Not So Sweet Melbourne.Our second Short But Not So Sweet, this one will be bigger, badder and better. Ten 10-minute plays that will take a very different look at the world.

NOVEMBERAnnouncement. We have just learnt that we have made the top 30 of Melbourne's Short And Sweet. To be held at Chapel Off Chapel. More details as they come to hand.Also, Frank Otis will be producing/directing a night of monologues for Melbourne Writers Theatre. They will be on early in November. Please note this is not a Defector Art Theatre production, so normal ticket discounts do not apply and cannot be purchased through this site. More details next month.

Takin' the Piss Won

2009-09-04T01:03:00.002+10:00

Takin' the Piss Too

2009-09-04T01:02:00.001+10:00

Takin' the Piss Free - 2004

2009-09-04T01:00:00.000+10:00

Stop Press! Election Special.

WRITTEN BY KIM HOWARD & FRANK OTIS
TRADES HALL BAR - TRADES HALL
CNR VICTORIA AND LYGON STS. CARLTON
(ENTER VIA VICTORIA ST)

Special guest appearance by - Unfazed Theatre

Ghosts and Gods

2009-09-04T00:42:00.001+10:00

It’s “The Devil You Know” at “A Christmas Thing”.
(Two short plays by Frank Otis)

Mayfields
103 Smith Street Collingwood

A Christmas Thing

It's Christmas! It's time for the Christmas party! Fun, huh? Well no, not really. You see these office workers have to put up with the big boss coming, and that's just what he wants to do because he's a sleaze bag. But all is not as it seems as Charles Dickens said, because there are a few ghosts who are going to straighten this big boss out.

The Devil You Know

Imagine getting a visit from the Devil. Scary, huh? Well no, not really. Then God appears to you the next morning and she or he is rather sexy. Now one wants you to win tattslotto and the other doesn't, easy choice, hey? Well no, not really.

Follow Ruth as she has a rather extraordinaty 24hours meeting with the Devil and God as you have never seen them before.

And Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep 06

2009-09-04T00:40:00.005+10:00

When the ultimate nightmare is reality.

For every action there is a reaction.
For every event there is a memory,
And for every nightmare there is a reality.

And Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep is not for the faint hearted. It is not a story of love but of truth. This shocking confronting and controversial piece of Adult Contemporary Theatre explores the dark and ugly side of humanity. A world that should never be for anyone, where nightmares intertwine with reality, innocence is a luxury and love and truth are merely words.

For how long can one man's actions affect another's life?
Can memories simply be washed over and forgotten?
Or do they remain forever tattooed to the mind,
Ripping apart the surface of reality?

Prepare to be engulfed by And Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep and enter into a journey of human emotions through another's eyes. Combined with a completely original music score and an emotionally charged cast, And Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep is guaranteed to pull at your heart-strings, terrify you beyond belief and may even let you laugh a couple of times.

The Defector-Art Theatre Company invites you to step outside the box you live in, and into the world as it is for a countless number of people, strangers, neighbours, friends and maybe even you.

"Very well written, very moving and very honest"
Susan Duffy - 3CR

"Well done and so true to life. Explaining why sexual abuse people are not walking, talking, shit thinking machines."
Audience Member

Perfect Illusion

2009-09-04T00:39:00.002+10:00

He is a nice man when he is away from home, but when he is at home he is a monster to his wife and child. So much so that his wife and child are forced to take action against him. Based on a true story, but as they say truth can often shock more than fiction.

Takin' the Piss Fore

2009-09-04T00:36:00.004+10:00

Takin' the Piss Fore

Only sharp, pointy objects will stop him now. A night of comedy skits that takes the piss out of everything from James Hardy to Peter Garret.
A sellout crowd made Takin The Piss Fore the most successful night yet for the Takin The Piss crew. Franks new comedy skits went down well, particularly The Dentist skit which had to be seen to be believed. The next one is about religion and with our last one selling out we advise you to book, once dates are confirmed.

Natural Born Psycho of the Lambs

2009-09-04T00:33:00.001+10:00

Serial killing was never meant to be like this.

A play about a serial killer's worst nightmare - a victim who isn't scared.

Being a serial killer is not easy. You get little support from the public but Michael is doing his best! Then he kidnaps this woman who is not only not scared but gives him heaps of lip. Why is she doing this and what is her secret? This is a very black comedy.

Written and Directed by Frank Otis

Naked Communist Terrorist Hippies from Outer Space

2009-09-04T00:22:00.000+10:00

Alien beings land in Lygon Street Carlton. They are arrested by ticket inspectors for travelling on a tram without a ticket. Being illegal aliens they are taken to a detention centre! But these aliens have a plan that will change the world forever!

Starring: Georgia Snowball, Robert Bacon and Alicia Bond.

BoxaShorts 1

2009-09-04T00:13:00.001+10:00

BoxaShorts a HIT at Gasworks!
BoxaShorts was part of the 2006 Melbourne Fringe Festival and comprises six very different short plays, dealing with issues of power, sex and manipulation. After drawing larger than expected crowds and receiving rave reviews, the final performance was Sunday 15th October 2006.

You Know New Election Ways Like - Written and directed by Frank Otis.

The Emancipation of the Proletariat - Written by Frank Otis. Directed by Cassie Dart.

Ted and Silver - Written by Vanessa De Largie. Directed by Frank Otis.

The Interview - Written by Dale Harrison. Directed by Frank Otis.

The Game - Written Jennifer Lusk. Directed by Frank Otis.

An Inconvenience - Written by Frank Otis. Directed by Cassie Dart.
The Players: - Brendan Leigh Kelly
- Brenna Glazebrook
- Christopher O'Connor
- Frank Otis
- George Goris
- Jim Luxford
- Karla Silvery
- Leon Durr
- Marie-Claire Lewis
- Natalie Gee
- Tristan Watson
- Vanessa De Largie
The writers and directors:
- Cassie Dart
- Dale Harrison
- Frank Otis
- Jennifer Lusk
- Vanessa De Largie

The Three Taboos

2009-09-04T00:10:00.003+10:00

"The 3 Taboos" features short plays and comedy skits taking the piss out of religion, sex and politics.

The Three Taboos is a combination of the best that would have been 'Takin' the Piss Frair' along with a brand new short play. For anyone that knows the quality of Defector-Art Theatre's work, you will know that this is one night you do not want to miss!

Subversive

2009-09-04T00:08:00.000+10:00

Subversive was another success for Defector Art. Before the show Frank Otis had two interviews (one lasting 20 minutes) for Joy FM, where he pushed the show as much as he could. The show was also featured on the Australian Stage Online website and on page 2 of The Age’s E.G.

Subversive featured plays by Frank Otis (Fuck You, The Devil You Know, Attack Of The Killer Chateau Cardboard, A Dish Best Served Cold and Nine Tenths Of The Law). It also featured two plays by Alex Broun (Artistic Director for Short And Sweet) they were Gun Laws and The Choice. Neither of Alex’s plays had been performed before.

For a change the night was broken up into two sections. First we did the three comedy plays and after intermission we did the serious ones. This proved to be a hit with the audience, despite some people shaking in the bar afterwards. Well let’s face it, it was a Defector Art production!

Both nights we had great audiences and although we don’t have the final figures yet, we seem on track for another record breaking year. Thankyou to all involved for making it another successful show.

** Click to view larger image **

Boxashorts 2

2009-09-04T00:02:00.000+10:00


Frank Otis tries to explain a bloodied knife to Nyssa Lock and Hannah Fox in ‘Anxious But Not Alarmed’	Adrian Snodgrass and Ross MacPherson discuss the Blood transfusion they are about to give the helpless David Gannon.

Hannah Fox plays a woman you wouldn’t want to cross in ‘Do You Want To Play’


Ross MacPherson gives Frank Otis some ‘Shock Therapy’	Nyssa Lock and Ross MacPherson have a joke about their dead prisoner in ‘Shock Therapy’

With four great reviews, and a 40% increase in audience numbers, whatever way you look at it Boxashorts 2 ‘Edge Of Sanity’ has been a huge success. It was so successful that ‘Cromwell Road Theatre’ asked us to become a resident theatre company after just one show. So, we now have a new home!

First the reviews! The ironic thing is with the four reviews they all highlighted different plays. The Age which gave us 3 out of 5 stars liked ‘Neat’ by David Ryding, ‘Anxious But Not Alarmed’ by Scott McAteer and ‘Lunchtime Meeting’ by Bridgette Burton. Arts Hub Australia sited ‘Do You Want To Play’ by Christine Croydon and ‘Mozart And The End Of Time’ by Alex Broun as ‘clear standouts’. Her ‘absolute favourite’ was ‘Bloodletters’ by Nathan Curnow. She rounded of her review by saying “For a mad night out filled with fun and more shockers that you could poke a stick at, Defector Art Theatre Boxashorts 2 – Edge Of Sanity was all round fringe worthy entertainment. You’d be ‘un-australian’ to miss it”.

Buzzcuts highlighted Frank Otis play ‘Shock Therapy’ stating that it rounded up the night well! (See the full review below) Inpress also highlighted Shock Therapy stating that it was “directed with raw intensity by Bess Maxwell” and praised ‘Bloodletters’ and ‘Lunchtime Meeting’.

In the past we have bragged about 10% and 11% increases in audience numbers, this time it was a 40% increase! This was no mean feet as numbers normally go down in the Fringe Festival, because you are competing against so many other shows. Cast and crew can be proud of what we have achieved in this production, an all round success! For Defector Art Theatre it’s onwards and upwards in 2008!

FAQ

2009-09-03T23:56:00.005+10:00

Interview with Frank Otis

Why was Defector Art Theatre set up in the first place?

I was in a theatre company that was good but very straight and I decided that the only way I was going to do the theatre that I wanted to do was to set up my own.

So what is Defector Art about?

Two things, basically: one is opportunity. We love giving people a chance to show off their craft. It doesn't matter if you are an actor, writer or director. We don't care how much experience you have had, just that you are good at what you do. If you take a look out our recent 'Short But Not So Sweet', we gave opportunities to ten writers, ten directors and over 20 actors. All performing to packed houses. The women who won best female actor had never performed on stage before. We love that type of shit! It's what we've been about since day one and we still are.

The second thing is our slogan 'Anything but safe'. We love to do theatre that challenges an audience. That will maybe make them question what society is about, or what they are about. We don't want to do what is expected or acceptable. We love breaking the rules.

It seems a great time to ask about the 'naked theatre' jibs.

Yeah, Iook, quite frankly we don't care. If a play has a nude scene in it and it's part of the story, we do it. It's that simple. We don't have long meetings about it.

Nudity has been a part of art since day one and nobody is going to change that. Writers know that we are not going to freak out if their play has nudity in it, so they tend to come to us rather than other theatre companies. Because of that we probably do more nudity than most other theatre companies. But so what? I refer you back to our slogan.

Some people are saying that you look for nude roles.

Really? Well, I think that's a reflection on themselves. Look, I think that if you are going to do something different, you are going to get flack about it. It's human nature. Maybe I will write a play about it one day.

Speaking of writing is it true you went through a dry spell?

Yes it is, but every artist goes through it. That doesn't stop you thinking that you will never write again. However, in the last twelve months I've written one full length and four short plays. So I think it's well and truly over.

Defector Art is taking a couple of months off, what are you doing?

Well, I have just finished writing a play for a primary school and I will also be doing a show for Melbourne Writers Theatre (more about that next month). As well as that, we have Melbourne and Sydney Short And Sweet coming up!

Good to see you are taking a break! What has Defector Art got planned?

We have just heard that we have made the top 30 of Melbourne Short And Sweet and we have also made it into Sydney! Next year will be Defector Art's biggest year. We will be opening the year with our biggest production yet. It's a vampire play and we already have a costume designer. It is going to be big, sexy and scary and there is a message behind it.

Sounds interesting how can actors apply if they are interested?

We will take expressions of interest now. They can send their resumes to us. We will be holding our first lot of auditions later in the year. However, I should point out we are looking for actors who will commit to this project. We want to make it the best show we have ever put on. I should also point out that there is nudity in the play. It is a vampire play. So if you are comfortable with your own and other people's bodies, it would be an advantage.

What else is planned for 2010?

Well, of course we are going to do 'Short But Not So Sweet' again, that will be in July. Later in the year we are planning to bring back 'Boxashorts'. So it should be a great year!

Want to ask us something? Click here!

A Dish Best Served Cold - Week 3 of Short & Sweet

2009-09-03T23:50:00.000+10:00

Frank Otis’ most recent play ‘A Dish Best Served Cold’ is set to explode in week three of ‘Short And Sweet’ (the biggest 10 minute theatre competition in the world!). Frank’s play beat over 1000 other entries from all over the world to make it into the top 30.

Because the play only goes for 10 minutes, we can’t say much about it except that it will question your values when it comes to revenge and justice. The play is being directed by Lisa Minett; and stars Karla Hillam, Maria Coviello, Rachel Torrance and Frank Otis.

It was performed at The Victorian Arts Centre, Melbourne to almost sell out crowds! If you missed it, you missed a great show, but don't worry too much - we will always keep you up to date on every upcoming production via the Home Page.

And Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep 08

2009-09-03T23:48:00.000+10:00

How did it go? Well it depends how you look at it. We certainly didn’t get the high audience numbers we have been getting lately, but what we presented on stage is something to be proud of. And the more important thing, the audience members who attended loved the show!

One reason for the low numbers was a publicity company we hired. Unfortunately, they did not get one extra person along. We have ways of knowing this. We will not be using them again. For the ‘Short But Not So Sweet’ show we are hiring a new company: Guru Solutions. After talks with Guru, we are sure they will do a much better job. We will let you know how they go.
From the Promo: And Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep will take you into a nightmare world where few plays have tread. A world where the ultimate nightmare is reality. A world where society tell you not to talk about it. A world that will tell you that you asked for it anyway.
This is a play that has left audience and critics stunned! The Sunday Herald Sun said: ‘but it is the play, utterly sincere in its purpose that will make And Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep theatre that will haunt the conscience for a long time’.

Short but not so Sweet 08

2009-09-03T23:45:00.000+10:00

10 Plays 10 Writers 10 Directors 22 Actors
Who are all a bit bent.

Ever wondered what happens to the plays that are too outrageous for Short And Sweet? Well they suffer from rejection and turn to nasty things. And just before all hope is lost they turn up at the doors of Defector Art Theatre. There they meet other plays like them and become part of a community called Short But Not So Sweet. Here they can be themselves. Here they can celebrate their differentness. Here they are accepted for what they are.

So if you want to spend a night with serial killers, sexual deviants, ghosts, lawyers and the Devil himself then this is the show for you!

THE PLAYS

Apologies
Written by Christine Croyden
Directed by Tanya Annear-Walker
Cast: Bobbi-Lea Dionysius, Joel Pearse, Janeen Sonsie.

Be Careful What You Dig For
Written by Nick Caddaye
Directed by Deb Rohde
Cast: Shane Lee, James McGuane.

Bed Tales
Written by Richard Lord
Directed by Frank Otis
Cast: Marijana Kreso, Bradley Schmidt

Dragging Cassandra
Written by Gail Evans
Directed by Geoffrey Masters
Cast: Verena Curr, Anthony Goodwin

Hot Water
Written by Graeme Simsion
Directed by Flora Georgiou
Cast: Kate O’Neill, Frank Otis.

Imagine The Afterlife
Written by Angus Brown
Directed by Douglas Montgomery
Cast: Andrea Jenkins, Jim Koutsoukos, Tom Needham.

Morals
Written by Frank Otis
Directed by Bess Maxwell
Cast: Dan Boyle, Camilla Jackson, Andrea Jenkins, Emma Moore.

One Drink Pardon
Written by Vijay Khurana
Directed by Jenni Munday
Cast: Dan Boyle, Tom Needham, John Murphy.

The People Upstairs
Written by Alex Broun
Directed by Traicee Evison-Griffith
Cast: Keith Brockett, Vicki Doak, Leon Durr, Diana Nguyen.

Real Estate
Written by Katie Dircks
Directed by Paul Otis
Cast: Camilla Jackson, Andrea Jenkins, Emma Moore

Previous Productions

2009-09-03T23:39:00.018+10:00

Boxashorts 6

a night of burlesque

short film and theatre

That's right in our first show of the year Defector Art Theatre is going places we have never been before. As well as a great night of theatre (including Frank's new short play 'A Romantic Comedy' which will shortly be going to Sydney) we will also be presenting short films from some of Melbourne's best indi film makers, and if thats not enough how about a bit of burlesque to chuck into the mix.

Boxashorts 5

Short But Not So Sweet 10

Queen Lara

Short But Not So Sweet 09

Short and Sweet Sydney 09

BOXASHORTS 3

Short But Not So Sweet 08

And Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep - 2008

A Dish Best Served Cold - Week 3 of Short & Sweet 2008

Box A Shorts 2

Defector Art Chosen to work with Short and Sweet

Subversive

The Three Taboos

WTO The Musical (with Keep Left Theatre)

Behind These Walls

The Party Room! (with Keep Left Theatre)

Box a Shorts (the original)

Safe Haven! (with Keep Left Theatre)

Naked Communist Terrorist Hippies From Outer Space (with Keep Left Theatre)

The Moment

Takin' the Piss Won (with Keep Left Theatre)

Takin' the Piss Too (with Keep Left Theatre)

Taking the Piss Free

S11 The Dividing Line (with Keep Left Theatre)

Perfect Illusion

And Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep

Ghosts and Gods

Takin' the Piss Fore

Natural Born Psycho of the Lambs

Cromwell Road Theatre Our New Home

2009-09-03T23:26:00.004+10:00

Click here to make this map larger

After the success of Boxashorts 2, Cromwell Road Theatre in South Yarra has asked us to become a resident theatre company. This theatre is a fantastic venue (even the seats are comfy) and suits us perfectly. So all 2008 and 2009 our shows will be at Cromwell Theatre. See map.

ACCESS

Tram Lines - No. 8 Toorak Road, No.72 Malvern Road/Commercial Road
Train stations - Hawksburn Station approx 500 metres away. Train Lines stopping at this station are the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines.
Melways - reference 58 E4

On-street parking available

Discount Tickets

2009-09-03T23:11:00.005+10:00

Discount tickets! Yay! But, uhh, how do I get them?? Easy!

You are eligible for a 20% discount on your full priced ticket [that means $20.00 instead of $25.00] if you are:

a member of Actors Equity or Arts Hub (must show card at Box Office)
a subscriber to our Mailing List
if you pre-book your tickets for a party of 10 or more people (that all turn up on the night) - Pre Book your tickets now on 03 9318 5271 or by email.

Boxashorts 3 Gave Its All

2009-09-03T23:07:00.001+10:00

Despite the time of the year, bad weather and some behind the scenes dramas Boxashorts 3 continued the success of the Boxashorts name.

Audiences raved about the quality of the production. Alex Broun from ‘Short And Sweet’ said it was the best Defector Art Theatre production he had seen. Although carrying a theme, this time ‘female leads’ there was heaps of variety. Comedy, drama and horror all left there mark on the Cromwell Road Theatre stage.

Next year Boxashorts will be back where it belongs as part of the ‘Fringe Festival’.

Actors in picture from left to right: Georgia Beasley, Claudia Greenstone, Holly Lynn Nye, Brad Schmidt, Frank Otis, Christine Husband, Alex Lance, Kate O’Neill, Marijana Kreso and Myles Tankle.

A bit of shock therapy for Sydney

2009-09-03T23:03:00.004+10:00

For the first time ever Defector Art Theatre performed outside of Victoria. Defector Art performed at the Newtown Theatre in Sydney because it reached the finals of Short And Sweet there.

The play to be performed will be Frank Otis’s ‘Shock Therapy’. A controversial play that rocked Melbourne audiences when it premiered as part of Boxashorts 2 last year. Who knows what Sydney audiences will make of this anti-torture black comedy!

The play will feature American actor Holly Lynn Nye who is currently touring Australia with a prominent performance show. She has flown thousands of kilometres to be in this play and we are honoured to have her on board.

The play also features Alex Lance who wowed audiences in two very different plays in Boxashorts 3 ‘Alex Brouns gut wrenching play ‘The Celiene Dion Songbook’ and Frank Otis’ thriller ‘9/10ths Of The Law’.

We welcome back Emma Moore who had audiences in fits of laughter and horror when she played the mum of a serial killer family in Otis’ ‘Morals’ which was part of ‘Short And Not So Sweet’ last year.

Wrapping up the cast for ‘Shock Therapy’ is Sam Hill and Frank Otis. This is the first time Sam has played a role with ‘Defector Art’. After an unsuspected pull out Sam has jumped on board and saved the day. To say that we are happy she did would be an understatement. As for Frank Otis well we all know him don’t we.

Actors in Picture from left to right: Holly Lynn Nye, Frank Otis, Alex Lance.

SHORT BUT NOT SO SWEET 09

2009-09-03T23:01:00.000+10:00

AHH HOW SWEET IT IS

Despite swine flu, the economic downturn, cold nights and the theatre double booking our tech run, Short But Not So Sweet was another raging success. We played to packed houses almost every night! This is a nice change from when we first started. Defector Art Theatre and Short But Not So Sweet is here to stay!

So lets look at the plays, the awards and why it was such a great night:

Apple

Written by Trevor Suthers

Directed by Carl Whiteside

Adam..... Alexander Moller

Eve..... Jess Wilson

God..... Janeen Sonsie

For as long as 'the story of Adam and Eve' has been around, there have people been taking the piss out of it. This play was no exception. God needed to be seen and heard to be believed and all her hilarity.

Consequence

Written by Frank Otis

Directed by Paul Otis

Martin..... Frank Otis

After comedy, what is better than horror? In this play a man finds himself in a strange room. The horrific twist we will keep to ourselves in case it is put on again.

Blood Reversal

Written by Alex Broun

Directed by Ross Brisbane

Lachlan..... Daniel McBurnie

Angelo..... Zack Anthony Curran

Another play from the talented international play-write Alex Broun. This one compares football to real life all too well.

NOMINATIONS

Daniel McBurnie for Best Male Actor

Alex Broun for Best Script

SILENCE

Written by Dona Garofalia Parise

Directed by Denise Kuchmar

Charlie Baxter..... Brett Bishop

Annie Johnson..... Jane Flanagan

Amy Baxter..... Rain Fuller

Another one with a real twist. It's a tale of violence and being unfaithful, and what can happen even after death.

NOMINATIONS

Rain Fuller for Best Female Actor

Dona Garofali Parise for Best Script

TRUTHFUL SHADES OF GRAY

Written by M.L. Riakos

Directed by Amy Jenkins

Original Music by Russell Hodges

Bianca..... Sabina Lokic

Harrison..... Trevor Vaughan

JJ..... Adam Camerlengo

Okay Harrison makes one small mistake, but does he have to go to jail?

NOMINATIONS

Amy Jenkins for Best Direction

Best Overall Production

NEXT

Written by Steven Gale

Directed by David Gannon

Doc..... Scott McAteer

Pat..... Dylan Watson

Let's face it, if you go to see this psych you need your head read.

NOMINATIONS

Scott McAteer for Best Actor

Steven Gale for Best Script

David Gannon for Best Direction

Best Overall Production

YOU MAY KISS THE BRIDE

Written and Directed by Emma Moore

Original Music by Adam Camerlengo

Sophie..... Jessica Pekin

Ray..... Luke Stephens

Sam..... Adam Camerlengo

Don't let the title fool you, this ain't no love story. Let's just say it's a tale of loss and discovery.

NOMINATIONS

Jessica Perkin for Best Female Actor

Luke Stephens for Best Male Actor

Emma Moore for Best Script

Emma Moore for Best Direction

Best Overall Production

AWARDS

Best Overall Production

Best Headfuck award

NIGHT VISION

Written by S.L. Daniels

Directed by Alex Lance

Ashley..... Saskia Sansom

This is a dark tale. A woman tells her life story whilst wrapping herself in bandages, but what does it all mean? Why is she doing that?

NOMINATIONS

Saskia Sansom for Best Female Actor

S.L. Daniels for Best Script

Alex Lance for Best Direction

Best Overall Production

3 ^rdin Best Headfuck Award

AWARDS

Saskia Sansom for Best Female Actor

PRISONERS

Written by Richard Lord

Directed by Frank Otis

Amber..... Grace Presse

Michael..... Frank Otis

Only Frank could get away with directing this piece about cults, keys and freedom.

NOMINATIONS

Grace Presse for Best Female Actor

Frank Otis for Best Direction

Best Overall Production

2 ^ndin Best Headfuck award.

Heads Will Roll

Written and Directed by Carl J Sorheim

Man..... Dylan Watson

Heads will roll indeed. This tale is frightening and a real headfuck!

NOMINATIONS

Dylan Watson for Best Male Actor

Carl J Sorheim for Best Script

Carl J Sorheim for Best Direction

Best Overall Production

AWARDS

Dylan Watson for Best Male Actor

Carl J Sorheim for Best Script

Carl J Sorheim for Best Direction

Photos by Carl Whiteside

So there you have it. The awards were judged by an independent panel. Those independent judges were Karen Keegan (Ex. Director of Short And Sweet), Rachel Baring (Artistic Director Short And Sweet Melbourne) and Christine Croydon (Writer and Ex. Board Member Melbourne Writers Theatre). The Headfuck award was voted on by the audience.

All who organised this show are in comas now but yes, look for Short But Not So Sweet 10 in July next year!

Tickets

2009-09-03T22:05:00.042+10:00

Click here to find out how to get discount tickets to Queen Lara.

Wednesday 5th May

Thursday 6th May

Friday 7th May

Saturday 8th May

Subscribe to our Mailing List

2009-09-03T21:50:00.003+10:00

Keep up-to-date on everything - and be eligible for discounts!

We only send out emails evently, so you wont be bombarded with emails every day, but you'll still be kept in the loop. This includes calls for actors and directors, upcoming productions, results of recent productions and more!

Also note: all current Mailing List subscribers will get 20% off all tickets up to the end of 2009! This reduces to 10% off from 1 Jan 2010, but this is still a great saving!

S11 – The Dividing Line

2009-09-03T21:04:00.016+10:00

A demonstration in Melbourne that will create headlines all around the world. A couple who are almost torn apart by this very same demonstration.

The Moment

2009-09-03T21:04:00.015+10:00

Time goes on, but do we? A man finds himself in a strange room with two women who take him on a frightening journey. A journey in which sanity is not an option.

Safe Haven

2009-09-03T21:03:00.004+10:00

We are proud to present to you the first play ever performed about the refugee crisis. She was looking for a safe haven but came to Australia instead. Often frightening and sometimes funny Safe Haven will stay in your mind for a long time.

The Party Room

2009-09-03T21:03:00.002+10:00

It's time to party! So lets go to the party room and party. With comedy skits, music and booze we will party. Oh, you get the picture.

Behind These Walls

2009-09-03T21:02:00.003+10:00

It is not something we talk about much. But what does go on behind the walls in a psych ward? This play is written by someone who has been there.

WTO The Musical (with Keep Left Theatre)

2009-09-03T21:01:00.002+10:00

These been a musical about just about everything so why not the World Trade Organisation? Well sorry, this isn't one. It is really a night of comedy scripts and music. But you will enjoy it anyway.

Reviews

2009-09-03T20:46:00.032+10:00

Defector-Art Theatre is the brain child of two brothers - Frank and Paul Otis. With Frank's controversial and critically acclaimed writing, along with Paul's natural talent with visual concepts and desire to challenge the steriotypes of society, this is a winning combination!

Defector-Art Theatre is a non-profit co-op based theatre group committed to raising public awareness on issues that matter.

What people have said about us and other mentions:
Queen Lara - The Box
Boxashorts 2 - Buzzcuts
Over the edge of sanity, Melbourne Fringe Festival - Arts Hub
Size does matter in night of lucky dips - The Age
A Story of Truth - Green Left Weekly
Behind These Walls - Green Left Weekly
A Play in a Day - HATS Theatre
Theatre company tackles death at work - OHS Reps @ Work
Raw Drama Remains Sincere - Herald Sun

Queen Lara - The Box

Writer: Frank Otis
by: Melissa Hyatt-Boyle, The Box
Box Hill Tafe music student, Jenita Spirtovic [pictured], delivered a solid performance starring in Queen Lara presented by Defector Art Theatre at Northcote Town Hall from the 5th til the 9th of May.

Defector Art Theatre's slogan, 'Anything But Safe' can be used to describe Frank Otis' tenth full length play, Queen Lara.

It's risky to present a play with vampires these days. It is riskier still to have a vampire address the audience in the first act to declare all the audience thinks they know about vampires is false. If you write an 'your [sic] about to be blown away' remark into your play, you had best deliver. Promise of a new twist on vampires in Queen Lara, however, was disappointing.

It may have been the ratted 80s looking hair and costumes that let the production down. It may have been the vampire world scenes differentiated only by the actors hissing and moaning their lines as they writhed around on the stage. Had it not been for that initial boast of something new, however, it may not have been so disappointing.

Thankfully the initial disappointment didn't linger. The overall production of Queen Lara proved to be worth the risk. The concept of vampires helping humans to evolve is interesting. Otis in his character Queen Lara (Spirtovic) explores the shades of grey surrounding what is wrong or right. The sacrifice of a few for the common good. Even if a leader has good intentions how far can he/she bend the rules? Otis says his inspiration came not from the rebirth of the vampire films but from the 1951 sci fi 'The Day the Earth Stood Still'.

As both writer and an actor in the play, Otis has some brilliant moments. In the final act Janet (Flame Alicia Divine) forces John (Frank Otis) to strip against his will using mind control. Janet stage right facing audience - back to John, mimics taking one article of clothing off at a time. As she does John, centre stage, removes the corresponding item. The scene was done very well with actors, lighting (Douglas Scott Montgomery) and stage direction (Paul Otis and L'hibou Hornung) all coming together beautifully. Had the synchronisation been perfect the scene would have been flawless.

All of the club scenes were impressive. It's incredible how well a simplistic approach to stage design can be so effective. The club atmosphere was captured without the set taking over. Flashing lights and original music (Paul Otis) came from back stage along with use of a smoke machine. With this approach actors were given freedom of movement and were able to be heard clearly.

Frank Otis says there are two things that make Defector Art Theatre unique. One, which is worth Box Hill Tafe students taking note of, is opportunity. Otis says, '(they) love giving people a chance to show off their craft. It doesn't matter if you are an actor, writer or director.' They don't care about your experience, just your talent.

The other is their 'Anything but safe' slogan, their love of challenging an audience. This is ultimately what paid off in Queen Lara and makes Frank Otis and the theatre company worth keeping track of.

The Box

Boxashorts 2 - Edge of Sanity - Buzzcuts

Writers: David Ryding, Christine Croydon, Nathan Curnow, Alex Broun, Scott McAteer, Bridgette Burton, Frank Otis. by: Aleskei Plinte Cromwell Road Theatre

As the black vinyl couch sits in pools of disparate light you await anxiously knowing that what’s about to be thrust upon you in seven short performances will keep your skin crawling and your mind awake. The running theme of ‘sanity’ is introduced simply, almost as if to coax you into a place of familiarity and comfort, your own living room perhaps. However, the torment portrayed in the stories that follow, challenges your every perception of reality and draws you into a psychotic orb of what lies beyond.

Boxashorts 2 is a Defector Art Theatre production and is directed by Frank Otis and Bess Maxwell. Following from last years Boxashorts 1 the production comprises of a range of short performances produced by different writers that all focus on a recurring theme.

The characters in each performance reveal a kaleidoscope of inner conflict and mental instability where their demons are faced and levels of psychosis confronted. It should be noted that the violence, nudity and coarse language that is integral to ‘Edge of Sanity’ may provoke a few squeamish responses.

But throughout each bizarre setting or confronting personality, humour manages to filter through the tight script writing and the actor’s incisive performances.

The production was well rounded off with a play titled “Shock Therapy”. Almost like a ‘Brand Power’ infomercial, this black comedy features running commentary from presenters. This shines a light on the insanity behind the treatment of suspected terrorists and how media and propaganda seem to feed this embryo of uninformed fear and hatred.

An indication of the quality of content and production in ‘Edge Of Sanity’ is that four of the writers have made it to the finals of Short and Sweet. Short and Sweet is the largest short play festival in the world and will be held at the Victorian Arts Centre in December this year.

Source: Buzzcuts

Over the edge of sanity, Melbourne Fringe Festival - Arts Hub

Writers: David Ryding, Christine Croydon, Nathan Curnow, Alex Broun, Scott McAteer, Bridgette Burton, Frank Otis. by: Kym Davies

Macabre, edgy, insane? Defector Art Theatre’s short play bonanza sure tries to be.

This Melbourne Fringe Festival contribution includes seven short plays tied together with a witty and down to earth narrative, written and in this case performed by Frank Otis, creator of Defector Art Theatre.

The seven plays explore a range of themes to do with relationships, torture, terrorism, and even non linear time, while asking the audience to only rely on great writing and a showcase of acting to entertain and engage.

All plays were cleverly written using satire and black humour, to juxtapose a general commentary of death and chaos.

Do You Want To Play by Christine Croydon and Alex Broun’s Mozart And The End Of Time were clear stand outs, with the greatest performance of the night delivered in both by a star in the making, Hanna Fox. She is certainly one to watch.

However, Bloodletters by Nathan Curnow was my absolute favourite, with a maniacal, quasi-mad doctor, well played by Adrian Snodgrass, and his 'rabbit' played with great measure and physical characterisation by Ross Macpherson. Shame we did not see more of Ross, although he did make his mark again, along side the very brave Mr Otis in the final short of the night Shock Therapy. Nyssa Lock in both Shock Therapy and Anxious But Not Alarmed also impressed with a great satirical performance. She was hilarious and great to watch.

Props, set and costumes were a mixed bag of items including a big plastic knife that accidentally upstaged the action, and a funky, black, blow up chaise lounge that squeaked when the actors sat down. Relying on the action to set the scene, the beautiful space at Cromwell Road Theatre was used well and the overall staging was understated and simple.

The lighting design was a little uninspired, but specifically succeeded in creating the dark mood required for the basement lab of the mad doctor in Bloodletters.

The sound by Charin Blacker had impact and helped create the right mood on stage in each short, along with some fantastic original music by Paul and David Otis. This music added to the macabre and cheeky nature of the show, and helped propel the narrator's message along between each play.

Overall, Defector Art Theatre have done a good job in producing some fantastic grass roots theatre that explores a darker side of a 'new' Australian culture, and the deep recesses of the human mind. A culture of fear and anxiety, death and chaos. Cool.

For a mad night out filled with fun and more shockers than you could poke a stick at, Defector Art Theatre Boxashorts 2 - Edge Of Sanity was all round fringe worthy entertainment. You’d be 'un-Australian' to miss it!

Source: Arts Hub

Size does matter in night of lucky dips - The Age

Writers: David Ryding, Christine Croydon, Nathan Curnow, Alex Broun, Scott McAteer, Bridgette Burton, Frank Otis. by: Tim Hunter
*** (3 stars)
Running time: 105 minutes, including interval

DEFECTOR Art Theatre presents its second anthology of short plays, using the edge of sanity as its umbrella theme. Directed by Frank Otis and Bess Maxwell, it gives young writers and actors a chance to get some stage cred behind them, and it's a mixed bag.

The first two plays, Neat and Do You Want To Play, both deal with stalkers and lovers, whose existence is thankfully ambiguous.

Not as successful is the macabre Bloodletting (sic), or the impenetrable Mozart and the End of Time, both well-performed with accomplished dialogue, but lacking clear intent.

That’s something that can’t be said of the second half’s trio. Anxious But Not Alarmed is clearly satirical, as social workers visit a repeat caller to the terrorist information line, and Lunchtime Meeting is a well-executed tale of a woman confronting her adulterous husband, even if both are a little long. Shock Therapy presents the torturing of a potential terrorist subject as a satirical game show.

Source: The Age

A story of truth - Green Left Weekly

And Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Written by Frank Otis Footscray Community Arts Centre, 45 Moreland St. 24-25 May, 8pm.

And Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep is a new play that takes a no holds barred look at how rape affects survivors. Directed By Andrea Ousley, it takes you inside the nightmare world of a rape survivor's mind showing you their thoughts and fears. This is not a "have a shower and don't touch your lover for two weeks" type of story. This story is real, this story is truth.

This is writer and political activist Frank Otis's first play, written in 1995. It is a brutal story that has to be told. Otis is a rape survivor himself, and feels that the general community does not understand what a rape survivor goes through. "It makes me so angry when people say `just put it behind you', but no one will tell you how. Rape affects every aspect of your being; it not only changes the way you do things but it changes the way you act and feel. If this play can give people just a little more understanding then it has done its job", he said.

Source: Green Left Weekly

Behind These Walls - Green Left Weekly

Written by Frank Otis La Mama Theatre Beginning 30 July

MELBOURNE--As part of his recovery from a traumatic background of sexual assault and psychiatric illness, Frank Otis wrote his first play, And Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, which was produced last year and played to packed houses. (It will begin a season at La Mama on July 30.)

His new play, Behind These Walls, which begins its season on May 2, picks up from where the first play ended, but Otis points out that you don't need to have seen the first play to understand the second. “Within the first two minutes, you will pick up what is going on”, he says.

Lee, the main character of both plays is, like Otis, a rape survivor. In Behind These Walls he is in a psychiatric ward, almost emotionally destroyed by the incest perpetrated by his father during his childhood.

Lee has built a complex fantasy world to deal with the trauma. However, the hospital is about to be closed down, and the patients decide to fight back, forcing Lee to come to terms with reality.

The play is directed by Chris Gaffney, who has 25 years of experience as an actor and director in theatre, film and TV. He is the director of Melton Theatre Company and has had a long association with New Theatre.

Assistant director Carrie English, from Brunswick Women's Theatre, has had considerable experience with improvisational theatre in England. Gaffney, Otis and English also have roles in the play, along with 13 other actors. Original music was written by David Otis, Frank's brother.

Source: Green Left Weekly

A Play in a Day - HATS Theatre

A Play in a Day is exactly what it’s all about: a show written, cast, rehearsed and produced in just 24 hours.

To the best of our knowledge it’s never been done before in Australia!

Frank Otis was one of the directors for this challenge. He used a brief story (that was also written in this 24-hour period) and cast and directed it to fruition. Picture: Frank's light blue shoulder in the far top right of the groups.

The 24 hour production began at 10.00pm on Friday, February 14 when six writers, six directors and fourteen actors arrived at Vermont Secondary College. After a brief address, teams were chosen by pulling coloured balls from a hat (seems appropriate for a HATS production). To ensure originality, two themes were randomly drawn by the writers, one of which was to be the subject of their play.

The teams then assembled so that the writers could gain an understanding of the actors' individual skills.

Soon after 11.00pm, only the writers remained to write their plays throughout the night.
At 6.00am (now Saturday), the directors returned to discuss the plays; whilst we battled with a reluctant printer. At 7.00am the actors arrived as the weary writers turned home for a most deserved sleep. Throughout the day the plays were discussed, learnt and rehearsed. After lunch each play performed a technical rehearsal; which took far longer than was originally planned.

By 8.00pm all the plays were ready, and shortly after that the last of the audience arrived. At approximately 8.15pm the the tech crew grabbed a well earned drink of water and the performance got underway.

The order of the show was the same as the listing below, with an interval between 'Down Among The Dead Men' and 'Intolerance'. Incredibly, the final play finished within a minute of 10.00pm - exactly 24 hours since the whole process started!

The audience reaction was fantastic and I would not be the only one to be astonished by the quality of the shows. So much of this success must be given to the writers who not only produced wonderful playsso but in so doing inspired us all to produce our very best efforts.
Congratulations to the directors and actors who were able to fully realise the potential of these scripts and to breathe the first breaths of life into them.

A tribute to the efforts of the technical crew who worked tirelessly, and without a break, for eight or more hours.

Thanks also to the vision of the producers who made this all possible, and to the audience who willingly came along (and paid their money) for a completely unknown show - thanks for your faith in us.

After this, we might even do it again next year!

David Swann - Stage Manager. Source: HATS Theatre

Theatre company tackles death at work - OHS Reps @ Work

The Melbourne based Keep Left Theatre Company will perform a play about workplace death in late October.

Complicity is a play about a workplace death and a fight for justice. The play was written by Frank Otis and will be performed by the Keep Left Theatre Company in late October. SafetyNet spoke to Frank Otis about the production and his role as a writer with Keep Left Theatre Company. This is the third major production by Keep Left and I have written them all. Prior to my involvement in the theatre I was a union official with the CEPU. I have been involved in theatre now for seven years. I started out acting and went on to writing – this is my eighth full-length play. The play is about a workplace accident at a factory that manufactures cigarette lighters for cars. They have been cutting back and the factory is divided into union and non-union workers. After the accident the employer is charged and fined $45,000 after the case is heard in court. The employer tries to dodge his responsibility in paying the fine and the play looks at what happens when the workers find out what he has done. Performances of Complicity will be held at The Victorian Trades Hall Council (enter via Victoria St) on October 25, 26, 30, 31 and Nov 1, 2 at 8pm 2002.

Source: OHS Reps @ Work

Raw Drama Remains Sincere - Herald Sun

Rarely does a play as bitter and painful as Melbourne debutant dramatist Frank Otis' Now I Lay Me Down come to our stages.

La Mama presents the raw and uncompromising production mounted by director Tony Le Nguyen within the stark space of the Carlton Courthouse in Drummond St.

Every essential ingredient for high-voltage, life based theatre is there, and nothing is spared by writer, director or cast.

The one-act docudrama's subject is child rape, perpetrated by brutal male parents.
The trigger for Otis, who bravely plays the lead male role, Lee, to pen the play was a brutal knifepoint rape he endured one evening in Carlton. Many of the emotional scares he suffered during and after the attack are bared in Now I Lay Me Down. His character in the play has not been raped in adulthood; he is a disturbed man who has brought charges against the father who brutalised him during childhood.

The play's other central character, Leeanne, played with searing intensity by Jennifer Priest, is a rape victim also. Horrific nightmares, during which she is raped, have forced her to seek counselling from a psychiatrist, Dr Dasill.

The sessions have woken the cause of the trauma ... sexual atrocities committed by her father in early childhood.

Otis' text is littered with language that still shocks some people. The action is explicit, and the force with which it is played out mirrors Le Nguyen's experience as an actor in the controversial western suburbs racial warfare film Romper Stomper.

The play is solid in content, but its theatricality would be improved by a skilled dramaturge working with the writer. Finely honed performances come from Priest, Elizabeth Rule and Yvonne Virsik. But it is the play, rough at the egdes, but utterly sincere in its purpose, that makes Now I Lay me Down theatre that will live in the conscience for a long time.

Source: Herald-Sun, Bob Crimeen

Contact Us

2009-09-03T20:36:00.005+10:00

CROMWELL ROAD THEATRE OUR NEW HOME

Other ways to contact us:

Email us at 'frankotis' @ hotmail dotcom (this email address has been written in pieces to avoid crawlers finding the address and spamming it. Please put it together and email).

Use the 'Contact Us' part of this website.

Phone us on 03 9352 4332.

For snail mail details, please contact us by phone first.

Get Involved

2009-09-03T20:24:00.007+10:00

Whether you're an actor or writer looking to expand your craft or even if you've never been on stage before, now's your chance to revisit an old friend or make a new one.

Defector-Art Theatre is constantly on the look-out for both new actors and writers. So if you would like to get involved by becoming part of a production or if you would like to see your work on stage please feel free to contact us!

Phone: 0425 709 557
Email: frankotis @ hotmail .com

Most people choose to contact us via email. If choosing to do so, please attach your CV and a headshot along with a brief email. If you have any comments or questions, this is the perfect time to ask. To avoid delays in response, you will be contacted via phone so please include your contact phone number in the email.

If you decide to phone us, you will be asked the following brief questions:

what sort of theatre interests you?
what sort of experience do you have?
what are you hoping to achieve?
sometimes there are roles available where some nudity may be required, would you like to be considered for these roles?
which days are you available for weekly rehearsals?

About

2009-09-03T20:20:00.004+10:00

Short But Not So Sweet 09 is only a few weeks away!

2009-05-28T17:50:00.000+10:00

There's only a few short weeks until Short But Not So Sweet 09 opens, and we're receiving bookings already so it looks like it's going to be another big one!

Tickets are available for pre-purchase via our website if you would prefer to pay by card - only cash facilities are available at the door.

Short But Not So Sweet is a night of 10 short plays, each carefully selected from entries from all over the world. Contrary to other shows you might have seen, these aren't the nice plays. These are plays that will challenge but also entertain you.

The 10 outstanding short plays that form Short But Not So Sweet 2009: (in alphabetical order)

Apple - by Trevor Suthers

Blood Reversal - by Alex Broun

Consequence - by Frank Otis

Heads Will Roll - by Carl J Sorheim

Silence - by Dong Garofali Parise

Next - by Steven Gale

Night Vision - by Shelley Daniels

Prisoners - by Richard Lord

Truthful Shades of Gray - by Megan Riakos

You May Kiss the Bride - by Emma Moore

Next week we will give a brief teaser on each play and its production crew.

So what are you waiting for? Book your tickets now! Phone 9352 4332 to book your seats or go to the website to book and purchase.

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Defector Art Theatre : Anything But Safe

MERRY XMAS

Defector Art Theatre Gallery

SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER

JULY NEWSLETTER - OUR NEW SHOW IS COMING

Tickets to Boxashorts 7

2 PLAYS YOU MUST SEE THIS WEEK!

Defector Art is now on your mobile phone

Boxashorts looking for actors

DEFECTOR ART TAKES ON 2011

FIRST SHOW OF THE YEAR BOXASHORTS 6

Tickets to BOXASHORTS 6

Defector Art is part of Short + Sweet 2010!

BOXASHORTS 5 READY TO F##K WITH YOUR HEAD

Tickets to BOXASHORTS 5

Independent Theatre Launch Party!

TAKIN THE PISS 2010

RESULTS OF JUDGES VOTES FOR SHORT AND SWEET 10

RESULTS OF POPULAR VOTE FOR SHORT BUT NO SO SWEET '10

SHORT BUT NOT SO SWEET '10

Tickets to Short But Not So Sweet 2010

Queen Lara a hit!

'QUEEN LARA' FIRST NIGHT SOLD OUT!

WHAT, YOU HAVEN'T GOT YOUR TICKETS TO QUEEN LARA YET?!

QUEEN LARA is coming real soon

Queen Lara - The Box

FRANK OTIS RECEIVES AWARD AT SYDNEY SHORT AND SWEET

AS DEFECTOR ART HEADS TO SYDNEY 2010 PROMISES TO BE A BIG YEAR

CASTING SHORT AND SWEET SYDNEY

TO ALL OUR SUPPORTERS THANKYOU AND MERRY CHRISTMAS

New! New! New!

THE NAKED TRUTH ABOUT DEFECTOR ART

Interview: Alex Broun/Frank Otis

2010 Calendar

2009 Calendar

Takin' the Piss Won

Takin' the Piss Too

Takin' the Piss Free - 2004

Ghosts and Gods

And Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep 06

Perfect Illusion

Takin' the Piss Fore

Natural Born Psycho of the Lambs

Naked Communist Terrorist Hippies from Outer Space

BoxaShorts 1

The Three Taboos

Subversive

Boxashorts 2

FAQ

A Dish Best Served Cold - Week 3 of Short & Sweet

And Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep 08

Short but not so Sweet 08

Previous Productions

Cromwell Road Theatre Our New Home

Discount Tickets

Boxashorts 3 Gave Its All

A bit of shock therapy for Sydney

SHORT BUT NOT SO SWEET 09

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S11 – The Dividing Line

The Moment

Safe Haven

The Party Room

Behind These Walls

WTO The Musical (with Keep Left Theatre)

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Short But Not So Sweet 09 is only a few weeks away!

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