The concept of A Promenade of Shorts was born out of COVID restrictions in April 2020 when crowd sizes had to be limited to a small number. Due to the previous success of the concept, in 2026 the Red Phoenix Theatre Company presents season 3 of A Promenade of Shorts now at the Goodwood Theatre whereby 29 actors perform in 9 plays each of 10 minutes. They are performed in different areas of the theatre with great success. The plays are expertly executed over 3 sessions with 2 breaks and provide a highly entertaining experience.
Over the course of the evening, Tour Guides (Anne Doherty, Kate Prescott and Olivia Jan Parker) lead 3 groups of audience members through the distinct performance spaces where 3 plays are performed at each space.
In the Main Theatre the following are performed:
1. In Farce (written by Steven Bucko, directed by Norm Caddick)
Cast:
Front Desk Staff Jo Coventry
Man Matt Chapman
Husband Adam Tuominen
Wife Anita Zamberlan Canala
Plot Device Krystal Cave
2. Chilled Wine (written by Dorothy Lambert, directed by Alicia Zorkovic)
Cast:
Charlotte Jessica Corrie
Louise Laura Tregloan
Gemma Monika Lapka
3. Go to the Light (written by Laurie Allen, directed by Alicia Zorkovic)
Cast:
Roxie Peta Shannon
Sophie Cheryl Douglas
Dad Malcolm Walton
Will Tom Tassone
In The Bar the following are performed:
4. Bottle for a Special Occasion (written by William Kovacsik, directed by Hayley Horton)
Cast:
Martin Stuart Perce
Judith Lyn Wilson
5. On Queue (written by Morey Norkin, directed by Hayley Horton)
Cast:
Man 1 Jack Robins
Man 2 Jethro Pidd
6. Choices (written by James McLindon, directed by Hayley Horton)
Cast:
Debt Counselor Rebecca Kemp
Prospective Client Laura Lines
In The Studio the following are performed:
7. Road Trip (written by Jan Probst, directed by Libby Drake)
Cast:
Allen Lindsay Dunn
Mary Joanne St Clair
Aunt Pat Katie Packer
Uncle Joe John Rosen
Jack Jai Pearce
Michael Charlie Butler
8. When I Fall in Love it Will Be … (written by Susan Middaugh, directed by Libby Drake)
Cast:
Florence Campbell Lisa Lanzi
Ed Ferris Adrian Barnes
9. Mrs Thrale Lays On … Tea! (written by Rob Taylor, directed by Libby Drake)
Cast:
Mrs Thrale Sharon Malujlo
Polly Zoe Battersby
Dr Johnson Michael Eustice
Over the 9 plays the audience learns the ordinances in the town of Farce, not to trust a man working his way through the alphabet, how many Facebook likes you could get on your death bed, what’s the best wines for a cheating husband, how 2 men can make a queue, how to repay your student loan, how to plan a family road trip, how to cope with spouses who have dementia in residential care and what Mrs Thrale and Dr Johnson do after tea – very naughty!
The plays are often funny, sometimes hilariously, but there is also a mixture of sadness, and all are expertly acted. Each performance space presents its own demands which are adeptly and seamlessly resolved by the company’s crew members. Each audience member will have their favourite play of the evening and is also required to vote for it which is a difficult task due to the high-quality of all of them.
The Red Phoenix Theatre Company is to be congratulated for providing a magnificent evening of entertainment with season 3 of A Promenade of Shorts, with something for all audience members, it is in every respect a triumph deserving full houses.
Reviewed by Rob McKinnon
Rating; 5/5
A Promenade of Shorts remaining sessions are:
January 17, 21, 22, 23 & 24 @ 7.30pm. Sunday January 18 @ 2.00pm
Venue: Goodwood Theatre
166 Goodwood Road, Goodwood SA 5034
Tickets: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1419827
To book tickets to A Promenade of Shorts, please visit https://www.redphoenixtheatre.com/nextplay/.
