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Margaret Bremner
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Margaret is a director of adult and children's drama; has taught drama and writing; writes plays, poems and short stories; letters to the press; and orchestrates street theatre. |
| Something To
Look Forward To
Performed by : Radio New Zealand in its Open Story Season 2005; Stage version Highly Commended in the 2002 Playwrights Association of NZ Playwriting Competition. Type of Play : Drama. Play Time : 35 mins. Characters : 5F 2M, plus elderly extras ad lib. Setting : The lounge of a rest home Westering-Ho. Props : chairs, low table, notice board. Large hampers, a variety of dress-up costumes and props, tinsel, etc. Synopsis : The play describes the attempts of a group of residents to achieve some measure of control over their circumstances by targeting the establishment. However, the character cast as victim/villain proves to be an angel in disguise. |
Everyman
Performed (as a longer version, c. 25 mins) : at the Boathouse Theatre in Blenheim 2002 and at the Khandallah Arts Theatre, 2005; published by Playwrights Association of NZ in “Octet”. Type of Play : Sketch 10 mins. Longer version 25 mins. Characters : 6 actors, M or F (or fewer, if roles are doubled). Any age. Setting : Bare stage. Props, costumes, at discretion of director. Synopsis : An updated version of the mediaeval morality play, in which Everyman attempts to persuade his dearest friends to accompany him into the next world. Has human nature changed? Or is it the same old story? You be the judge. “Octet” with the text of this sketch is available through most local libraries. |
| BATS
Winning play in : Penwoman’s Club (NZ) Inc. competition 2001; Highly Commended in the Daphne Calderwood Competition 2002, run by Playwrights Association of NZ. Type of Play : Sketch. Estimated length: 8 minutes Characters : 1f (assuming 4 different persona), or 4f; 1m (silent) Setting : Bare stage. Props : minimal, two chairs. Synopsis : An exploration of misunderstanding, using mime and black comedy. The silent male character, in a desperate situation himself, becomes the unwilling confidante of four females, all intent on unburdening their own misfortunes. |
First Things First
Performed by : Picton Little Theatre 2006; First Prize in the PANZ Sketch Writing Competition 2003. Type of Play : Sketch. Estimated Playing Time : 6 mins. Characters : 3w, 1m, - probably middle-aged. Setting : The drama club rooms on a very cold night. Props : 1 table, four chairs. Synopsis : The sketch explores the sub-committee meeting from hell - a battle of wills to establish priorities, in which Jenny’s agenda comes off a poor second. |
| The Challenge
Performed by : Picton Drama Club 1998; Winner of Penwomen’s Club (NZ) Inc. One-Act Play Competition 1997. Type of Play : Comedy for older actors - Estimated Time : 30 mins. Characters : 4F (2 non-speaking), 4M (2 minor). Setting and Props : Easy chairs, low tables, to suggest two separate interiors; chairs and lectern to suggest a debating hall. Synopsis : Being the self-appointed leader of the negative team in the Probus Club debate will prove more of a challenge than pompous Eric had ever imagined. |
The Ironmonger’s
Daughter
Performed at : the Little Theatre, Picton, 1997, and at the Theatre Royal, Nelson, play festival in the same year. Type of Play : Mixed comedy-drama. Characters : 6f, 4m One major female role; other actors work as an ensemble, taking a variety of roles: schoolchildren, parents, soldiers, hecklers, girl guides, Britannia, a nurse, Truby King, etc. More can be accommodated as extras. 60 minutes. Two-act version with musical interlude also exists. Setting : A bare stage, with a variety of ad lib. props and costumes - two or three chairs. Synopsis : The story of Elizabeth Gunn, founder of the New Zealand Health Camps, in comedy, drama, mime and song. |
| Finding Fault
Performed by : Picton Little Theatre 1998. A radio version was broadcast on Coast Access Radio, 1998. Type of Play : Comedy. Playing Time, estimated : 12-15 mins. Characters : 1F, 2M (one very minor). Middle-aged. Setting : A bare stage. Synopsis: The local History Society field trip led by the notorious know-all Arthur Armstrong becomes an exercise in survival for a middle-aged couple: prima donna Dawn and her long-suffering husband Edward. |
I Wish
Winner of : Penwomen’s Club (NZ) Play Competition 1996. Play for an audience of children. Estimated Playing time : 30 mins. Characters : 5F (any age), 1M child (minor part). Setting : A classroom, after school. School desks, plus props appropriate to cleaners. Synopsis: Four cleaning ladies in a school classroom discover some strange lost property, leading to a close encounter with a grumpy superwitch. Action, humour and audience involvement. |