<p>The third edition of micro theatre or ‘Short & Sweet’ theatre festival has returned to Bangalore with a mixed melange of plays. <br /><br /></p>.<p>An Australian concept, which debuted in Bangalore in 2011, these plays are currently on at Rangoli Metro Art Centre on M G Road and will go on till April 5.<br /><br />Keeping with its theme, each play is about 10-minute long and is an exhibition of creative and experimental acumen of performers and production values. <br /><br />According to Festival Co-ordinator Anita Mithra, each day of the festival, a panel of undisclosed judges sit amid audience and rate each play, leading to the grand finale of plays with the highest score on the final day.<br /><br />Besides providing a platform for those who want to test the waters, according to Mithra, the format allows for new concepts, scripts and ideas. It also provides a platform for playwrights, directors and actors across age groups to collaborate and exchange thoughts on productions, she said. <br /><br />This year, while 60 entries were received, it has been vetted down to 30 plays, she added. <br /><br />The ‘Short & Sweet’ çoncept saw its genesis at Newtown Theatre, Australia, in 2002, when Mark Cleary decided to curate 10-minute plays running back-to-back.Short & Sweet has since expanded to include dance, music forms, and has spanned internationally to seven countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, besides Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Bangalore in India.<br /><br />Participants<br /><br />Among participating teams included Punch Tantraa with Shorter and Sweeter, Crea-Shakti from Chennai with Hand to Yourself, about a boy and girl with the unique characteristic of talking through soft puppets, Break A Leg by Natakist Group, The Speech by Puck n Co, An Honest Question by ASAP Productions, The Crowded Heart by Center Stage et al. </p>
<p>The third edition of micro theatre or ‘Short & Sweet’ theatre festival has returned to Bangalore with a mixed melange of plays. <br /><br /></p>.<p>An Australian concept, which debuted in Bangalore in 2011, these plays are currently on at Rangoli Metro Art Centre on M G Road and will go on till April 5.<br /><br />Keeping with its theme, each play is about 10-minute long and is an exhibition of creative and experimental acumen of performers and production values. <br /><br />According to Festival Co-ordinator Anita Mithra, each day of the festival, a panel of undisclosed judges sit amid audience and rate each play, leading to the grand finale of plays with the highest score on the final day.<br /><br />Besides providing a platform for those who want to test the waters, according to Mithra, the format allows for new concepts, scripts and ideas. It also provides a platform for playwrights, directors and actors across age groups to collaborate and exchange thoughts on productions, she said. <br /><br />This year, while 60 entries were received, it has been vetted down to 30 plays, she added. <br /><br />The ‘Short & Sweet’ çoncept saw its genesis at Newtown Theatre, Australia, in 2002, when Mark Cleary decided to curate 10-minute plays running back-to-back.Short & Sweet has since expanded to include dance, music forms, and has spanned internationally to seven countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, besides Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Bangalore in India.<br /><br />Participants<br /><br />Among participating teams included Punch Tantraa with Shorter and Sweeter, Crea-Shakti from Chennai with Hand to Yourself, about a boy and girl with the unique characteristic of talking through soft puppets, Break A Leg by Natakist Group, The Speech by Puck n Co, An Honest Question by ASAP Productions, The Crowded Heart by Center Stage et al. </p>
