10,000 cigarettes "I'm standing in the entry hall of Le Palais de Cigarette and a butler - very regal, English accent - with a voice that sounds like vintage port meets Golden syrup - greets me. He bears an engraved silver tray and on the tray is one lone cigarette and a silver lighter. Now at first I'm a little less than pleased by this. "One cigarette - is that it ?" But I have no need to worry." Cigarettes. One is too many, ten thousand never enough. Or is it ? Duration: 10 mins Cast: 4 female One of Alex's most popular plays 10,000 cigarettes has been produced in no less than 11 states in the USA; Adelaide, Sydney and Melbourne in Australia; Brighton and London in the UK; was Runner Up in Singapore Short & Sweet in 2007 and at the University of the Philippines in early 2008.
10,000 Cigarettes is published by Heuer Publishing. To purchase a copy please visit www.hitplays.com
A Difficult Birth (2002)
Hospital Waiting Room, Midnight. Petyr has been summoned to the hospital to decide the fate of his estranged wife, Janet. But there is something about Janet's condition that is going to complicate the decision - and the arrival of Janet's even-more estranged mother, Caroline, is not going to help. Duration: 10 mins Cast: 2 male, 1 female A Difficult Birth was produced in 2007 at the Newtown Theatre in Sydney as part of "Love & War", directed by Lauren Pfitzner with Damien Blackshaw, Richard Mason and Kath Perry.
The Actress' Dilemma (2005)
The theatre's empty, the actress is late and the director is well, barmy. Just another audition really - but how far is too far ? A wild, unpredictable comedy for anybody who's ever had to audition - and anybody who hasn't. Duration: 12 mins Cast: 1 female, 1 male The Actress' Dilemma premiered at Mt Cotton Quickies in Queensland, Australia in 2006 and has since been produced in Brighton and London in the UK by White Room Theatre's 'Bite Size' and as part of "Buffalo Quickies 2008" by Alleyway Theatre in Buffalo, New York, USA. Directed by Joyce Stilson.
Armistice Day (2000)
It's Armistice Day once more and Phil, a Korean War Veteran, makes a lonely dawn trek to the War Memorial to share a beer with a long lost friend. But this morning, Phil is not alone. Armistice Day explores what war and "remembrance" means to two very different generations. Duration: 10 mins Cast: 2 male Armistice Day was produced at the Newtown Theatre as part Short & Sweet Sydney in 2002, directed by Andrew Matthews, with Hamish Pritchard and Robert Sharpe.
Auckland (2002)
Shahwali Basiri, Shah for short, a Hazari refugee from Vardak in Afghanistan, escapes certain death in his country with his family -wife Akimeh, and three children - two strong boys, Mahdi and Hadi, and a beautiful little girl, Lila. They set sail for Australia on the KM Palapa. Little does he know the little fishing boat will take them to the edge of death. But on the fourth day they are rescued by a much bigger boat - the Tampa. Shahwali does not know it yet - but their journey has only just begun. A haunting monologue about the other side of Australia's refugee "crisis". Duration: 12 mins Cast: 1 male Be the first to produce this play - download your copy now.
Beijing Big Mac (2002)
When Australian traveller Len steps into a Beijing McDonalds to escape the biting wind and rain the last person he expects to meet is another Australian. But the reception he gets from vegetarian Susannah is as chilly as the icy blast coming down from Mongolia. Or is it Siberia ? Duration: 10 mins Cast: 1 female, 1 male Beijing Big Mac was first produced at the Mini-Fiesta at Dante's in Melbourne, Australia in 2007, directed by Heath Miller with Jennifer Lusk and Pier Carthew.
blog (2007)
When May, better known as the blogger "Betty Boo", is approached in her local café she thinks Jean just wants to congratulate her on her scathing report on the first night of the "Poetry Slam". I mean it's just an opinion right ? Just a blog ? Everyone has the right. And after all - everyone agreed. It was crap. Got its just desserts. Or did it ? Can 'bloggers' just write whatever they think ? Even when they may be wrong ? Duration: 10 mins Cast: 2 female blog will first be produced in February 2008 at The Fine Arts Association in Ohio, USA, as part of the 12th Annual One Act Festival - "Hot from the Oven -- a la carte".
The Death of Caesar (2002)
A theatre, 11am. Above onstage a kiddie's matinee of "Julius Caesar" is in progress. But in the dressing room a drama is being played out as intense and deadly as anything in Shakespeare. Two young actors - Phillip (Marc Antony) and Derek (Messenger) - struggle to discover what is real and what is "flattery". Duration: 10 mins Cast: 2 male Be the first to produce this play - download your copy now.
Donut (2002)
A cafeteria. Mark returns to the table carrying a chocolate-covered donut. But is that what Monica ordered ?  Duration: 10 mins Cast: 1 female, 1 male Donut was first produced at the Carlton Courthouse in Melbourne by Melbourne Writer's Theatre as part of "Colours". The production was directed by Brenda Palmer with Colin Donald and Cally Robinson.
Drew Barrymore and Sigmund Freud meet The Cookie Monster (2002)
Night. Agency. Boardroom. Kat thinks she has the winning pitch, exactly what is needed to make Wolf "come". But Lee has his own ideas. An outrageous comedy that enters the often bizarre world of advertising. Duration: 10 mins Cast: 2 male, 1 female One of Alex's most produced ten minute plays Drew Barrymore ... premiered at Short & Sweet in Sydney 2004, where it was a finalist, and has since gone on to be produced in the USA, Brighton and London (twice) in the UK and Melbourne. PLEASE NOTE: This play contains adult themes and may not be suitable for young audiences.
Fate's Steady Hands
Sam is standing in Richard's office - and he's only wearing one shoe. He also has something very important to tell him. An unexpectedly quirky comedy. Duration: 14 mins Cast: 2 male Fate's Steady Hands premiered at Short & Sweet in Sydney in 2007 and has since gone on to be produced in Melbourne and Tasmania and as part of "Buffalo Quickies 2008" by Alleyway Theatre in Buffalo, New York, USA. Directed by Joyce Stilson.
FIVE KINGS
A dingy inner city pub. Early evening. Five local pub workers sit on bar stools, sipping beers. Terry, Ken and Steve stare at Ant as he pushes buttons on a "pokies" machine. They all believe Ant has the magic formula to crack the machine and bring them all a huge jackpot. Ryan is also watching - but he isn't so sure. Duration: 10 mins Cast: 5 male FIVE KINGS was performed at Short & Sweet in Sydney in 2005 with the following cast: Stephen Bourke, Greg Poppleton, Eddie Tang, Merlin Luck and Rob Flanagan. The production was directed by the author. It was then produced at Flinders University Drama Department in 2007, directed by Joh Hartog.
Gone (2004)
Written as a response to the tragic death of Australian cricketer David Hookes in a senseless display of pub violence, Gone is a physical and muscular two hander between a businessman and the bouncer who assaults him. The businessman plots his revenge and in the end gets more than he bargained for. Duration: 10 mins Cast: 2 male Gone was first produced at the Darlinghurst Theatre in 2004 as part of 'Vicious Streaks', directed by Lee Lewis and starring Peter Mochrie and Rhys Robinson. It was then produced by Melbourne Writer's Theatre at the Carlton Courthouse in 2005 as part of "People in Glass Houses."
Gun Laws (2004)
A deserted building. Night. The lights come up on Lisa, a young uniformed Policewoman, pointing her gun at the head of a boy. The only sound is Lisa's breathing. Bron, Lisa's partner, is on the other side of the room. Eventually she says: "Lisa. (BREATHING) Lisa. (BREATHING) I need you to do something for me now. (BREATHING) I need you to hand me the gun." A violent city after dark. Rationality may be the first casualty. A tense two hander for a couple of committed actresses. Duration: 10 mins 2 female, 1 child Gun Laws was first presented by Defector Art at Gasworks in Melbourne as part of "Subversive", directed by Frank Otis with Lisa Minett and Karla Silvey.
I Travel (1984)
Written by a young Alex Broun, Andrew Upton and Nick Sutton at Shopfront Young Playwright's Weekend in 1984. This absurd tone poem finds four young men - who may or may not be brothers - standing in the middle of a road in the outback. They may be travelling somewhere. Then again, they may not. Duration: 10 mins Cast: 4 male Be the first to produce this play - download your copy now.
ICE (2002)
It's been sometime since Karen has seen Keith. And when they meet unexpectedly early one frosty morning, the atmosphere is as chilly as the ice baths nearby. Duration: 5 mins Cast: 1 male, 1 female ICE was first produced in 2007 at the Newtown Theatre in Sydney as part of "Love & War", directed by Felicity Nicol with Jules Walsh and Ben O'Donnell.
Lonesome Cruiser (2005)
LUCY: "No. I don't love him like I loved you and I don't ever want to love anyone like I loved you. Loving someone like that is wrong. It's demented, dangerous."  LEX: "Because it swallows you whole ?" LUCY: "Because you forget where you end and they start." 12 years is a long time. But is it long enough ? Duration: 10 mins Cast: 1 male, 1 female Lonesome Cruiser was first produced by Arkham Entertainment as part of "10 minutes" at the 2007 Adelaide Fringe Festival, directed by Alex Kingsland with Kat Francis and Kingsland. It was then produced later the same year at the Newtown Theatre in Sydney as part of "Love & War", directed by Adam Gelin with Orlena Steele-Prior and Ryan Paranthoine.
Monologues (2004)
This collection of monologues - drawn mainly from the full length play Blind City - are perfect vehicles for actors to show off their range. The monologues are perfect audition pieces or individually or combined work brilliantly as a stand alone performance. Duration: 2 to 8 mins Cast: 1 male or female Many of these monologues were performed as part of Blind City at the Bondi Pavilion in Sydney in 2002 and as part of the Sydney Festival in 2003.
Mozart and The End of Time (2006)
Shadow chairs, dark energy or the music of Mozart ? Wendy has a choice to make. Morris hopes she makes the right one. A tense two hander with challenging roles for an actor and an actress. Duration: 10 mins Cast: 1 female, 1 male Mozart and the end of time was first produced at Cromwell Road Theatre in Melbourne by Defector Art as part of Boxashorts 2 - Edge of Sanity, with Hannah Fox and Adrian Snodgrass, directed by Frank Otis and Bess Maxwell.
Philip, with one 'l' (2006)
Written for Party Political, a collection of political monologues presented at the Newtown Theatre in February 2006, Philip with one l is a satire of Philip Ruddock, Australia's immigration Minister from 1996 to 2003, known for his very hard line policies of placing children in inhumane detention centres and sending asylum seekers back to face certain death in countries like Iran.  Duration: 15 mins Cast: 1 male Philip with one 'l' was first presented at Party Political at the Newtown Theatre in Sydney in February 2006 with Richard Mason as 'Philip', directed by Adam Gelin.
Photocopy Love (2005)
Just another day in an average photocopying store and Raf just wants to get some binding done. But exactly what kind of binding does he have in mind ? You'll be kept guessing just who loves who is this romantic comedy with toner cartridges.  Duration: 10 minutes Cast: 2 male, 1 female Photocopy Love was first produced at Mt Cotton Quickies by the Mount Cotton Drama Society, Mt Cotton, Queensland. Directed by Alaine and Rob Neilsen
Qwendolyn's Gambit (2005)
A quiet Sunday afternoon, the corner of a chessboard. Razza, the Rook, Brendan, the Bishop and Pattie, the Pawn, aren't very impressed by their snooty new Queen, Qwendolyn, But they're in for a surprise. A comedy for young performers and audiences about how appearances can be deceptive. Duration: 5 mins Cast: 4 female, 1 male, 1 female/male Qwendolyn's Gambit was first produced as a part of Heart Shaded Blue at The Newtown Theatre, Sydney, Australia. Directed by Wayne Tunks.
Racing Now! (2004)
Two brothers sit outside a betting shop on upturned milk crates. Are they trying to pick winners for the next race ? Or is something else going on ? Duration: 10 mins Cast: 2 male, 1 child Be the first to produce this play - download your copy now.
Recovery (2002)
Meeting, lunchtime. It's Toby's third birthday and he really needs to share. Yesterday he "got a little surprise." An absorbing and at times moving monologue for an actor. Duration: 7 mins Cast: 1 male Recovery was first produced as part of Blind City at the Bondi Pavilion in Sydney in 2002, performed by Jonny Pasvolsky, directed by Kym Weatherley.
Rumpole of the Sydenham Line (2003)
Claudia, a young lawyer is visited one morning in her office by Graeme, a decrepit old man who needs help to fight a case where he is being sued for a substantial amount of money. The young woman racks her brain for a way out by why is it so important she helps this old man ? Duration: 10 mins Cast: 2 female, 1 male Rumpole of the Sydenham Line was first produced as part of Shorts in Winter at the Bondi Pavilion Theatre, Sydney, Australia. Directed by Kris Plummer and Juliette Ferrier.
Sardine (2006)
Pub. Early evening. Joe and Dom sip beers - and Joe is about to give Dom too much information. Way too much information. An anatomical comedy. Duration: 10 mins Cast: 2 male Sardine was first produced as part of 8 10's @ 8 at the Actors' Theatre of Santa Cruz, California, USA in January 2008, directed by Brian Spencer with (pictured from left to right) Marty Jones as Dom and Nathaniel Powers as Joe.
Saturday Night Newtown, Sunday Morning Enmore (2001)
Claire wakes up on Sunday morning next to Matthew, who is definitely "not her type". Her memories of the night before are hazy, to say the least, and she tries to leave quickly; but Matthew has another solution. A story of romantic possibilities. Duration: 10 mins Cast: 1 male, 1 female One of Alex's most successful plays Saturday Night Newtown, Sunday Morning Enmore was first produced as part of Short & Sweet Sydney in 2001 at The Newtown Theatre in Sydney, directed by Mark Cleary. It has since gone on to over ten productions in Australia, Singapore, the UK, Chicago and New York. It was then filmed by More Sauce Productions, directed by Christopher Johnson and broadcast on Movie Extra in Australia as part of Project Greenlight Australia Series 2 in 2006. The play has been published in the USA as part of Stage This, TOO! More Ten-Minute Plays by iUniverse Inc.
Somewhere between the sky and the sea (2007)
Ramon de Guardo is a young Portuguese composer living in Australia. He has written a violin concerto, the perfect violin concerto. He knows because it came to him in a dream. And there is only one person to play his perfect concerto. The world's greatest violinist - Stephanie Lythe. But then he meets Madeleine. A romance - with violins, set between the sky and the sea, that stretches across the globe. Duration: 15 mins Cast: 1 male, 2 female Somewhere between the sky and the sea premiered at Short + Sweet Sydney 2008, at the Seymour Centre Downstairs, in a production directed by Alexandra Byron and starring Maurizio Degliespositi as Ramon, Tabrett Bethell as Stephanie and Helen Sutermeister as Maddie.
Southern Cross Swastika (2002)
Three men in a bar plot the way forward for their magnificent country. They have just experienced the glory of the greatest ever Olympic games but now their progress must be accelerated. A chilling short drama that finds disturbing parallels between two very different places and times. Duration: 10 mins Cast: 3 male Southern Cross Swastika was first produced as part of Short and Sweet Sydney 2003 at The Newtown Theatre in Sydney, Directed by Travis Williams.
Subverting the Will (2005)
Charlotte has been in love with Will for years but Will always has eyes for someone else. But today is the day that things finally must change - for better or worse. Duration: 10 mins Cast: 1 male, 1 female Subverting the Will was first produced by Arkham Entertainment as part of "10 minutes" at the 2007 Adelaide Fringe Festival, directed by Alex Kingsland with Nick Fagan and Kim Williams.
Tel Aviv Disco Bombing (2004)
A dark political secret emerges in an Israeli newspaper office on the eve of new peace talks. Julia has a big story. A great story. A cover story. Her editor Ariel agrees. But life in Tel Aviv isn't that easy. Duration: 10 mins Cast: 1 male, 1 female Tel Aviv Disco Bombing was first produced at Short & Sweet Sydney in 2005, directed by Katy Alexander and starring Peter Flett and Francesca Savige.
The Celine Dion Songbook (2000)
The kitchen of a semi-detached house. 2 am. After another, long exhausting day caring for their terminally ill son, a young couple - Tracey and Paul - prepare for bed. Tracey speaks of the programme for another long day ahead tomorrow. But Paul sits quietly head bowed at the kitchen table. He has a different option to offer. Duration: 15 mins  Cast: 1 male, 1 female The Celine Dion Songbook was first produced as part of 10 x 10 at The Darlinghurst Theatre in Sydney in 2002, directed by Ian McGregor. It has since been produced in the USA and twice in Australia, including in 2004 as part of Vicious Streaks at Darlinghurst Theatre, directed by George Ogilvie starring Amanda Bishop and Peter Mochrie.
The Choice (2002)
ROD: How long have I known you ? VINCE: Six years. ROD: All I'm asking is that you listen to me. One minute for each year. For the moment Vince still has a choice. Rod has come to see if he can persuade him to make the right one. An intense drama for two actors. Duration: 10 mins Cast: 2 male The Choice was first presented by Defector Art in 2007 at Gasworks in Melbourne as part of "Subversive", directed by Bess Maxwell with Rueben Krum as Vince and Ross MacPherson as Rod.
The Dead Sun (2002)
TUNG: Look after my lilies. Keep them gazing up - at the sun. KE-LO: The stars. TUNG: The sun. Ke-lo's son has been away for a long time. But today he is coming home. A poetic drama about loss, love, forgiveness and memory. Duration: 10 mins Cast: 1 female, 2 male The Dead Sun was first produced by Hook, Line & Sinker in 2003 at The Parramatta Riverside Theatres and Elizabeth Farm, Rosehill in Sydney, directed by Annemarie Lopez.
The First Fireworks (2003)
Every New Year's Eve for the last twenty years Dawn has brought her daughter Helen to their own secret place high on a hill to watch the midnight fireworks. But tonight is the last time they will come. It is time for mother and daughter to say goodbye. Duration: 10 mins Cast: 2 female The First Fireworks was first produced in 2004 as part of Vicious Streaks at Darlinghurst Theatre, directed by George Ogilvie starring Christine Greenough and Jacinta John. It has since gone on to become one of Alex's most produced plays with productions in Illinois (pictured), Connecticut, Iowa, Ohio and California in the USA and Newcastle, Hobart and Mt Cotton in Australia.
The Gift of the Gun (2002)
When Ben, a young rent boy, arrives at a deserted warehouse he thinks he's in for the usual trick. But William has something far more intriguing in store. A spine-tingling thriller that will keep you guessing until the last line. Duration: 15 mins  Cast: 2 male The Gift of the Gun was first produced as part of Short & Sweet Sydney in 2003, directed by George Ogilvie with Jonathan Elsom and Sean Kennedy. It has since gone on to productions in the USA, UK and Victoria. Pictured is Keith Brockett (Ben) and Phil Roberts (William) in Jae Dee Scott's production at Williamstown Theatre in Melbourne as part of Play Six in 2006.
The Pool of Cerberus (2002)
A deserted wharf, 3am. "Sam's" time has almost come. "Alan" waits with him, cajoling and consoling. But will "Sam" be ready ? A tense drama for our times. Duration: 10 mins Cast: 2 male (speaking), 1 male (non-speaking) Be the first to produce this play - download your copy now.
The Problem with Language (2002)
Theatre Foyer. Interval. Mark didn't "like" Max's film. Or is that just what Lisha "heard"? In an era of mass-communication, a short drama about "mis-communication". What's important - what you say ? Or what I hear ? Duration: 10 mins Cast: 1 male, 1 female Be the first to produce this play - download your copy now.
Turn the other cheek (2006)
Albert has a problem. Samson thinks he can help him. Lucky Albert. A comedy for two actors about problems in love - from a very male point of view. Duration: 10 mins Cast: 2 male Be the first to produce this play - download your copy now.
Twenty Dollars (2005)
When $20 goes missing at the school canteen, suspicion falls on Sophie. Mandy and Kyra are quick to accuse her but there is something far more important at stake in the school playground this lunchtime. A drama for young performers and audiences about how much friendship is really worth. Duration: 5 mins Cast: 5 female Twenty Dollars was first produced as a part of Heart Shaded Blue at The Newtown Theatre, Sydney, Australia. Directed by Wayne Tunks.
Un-Australian Day (2007)
Bart is just a good Samaritan, your average Aussie bloke. He's got his esky and his blanket and he's looking forward to celebrating Australia Day in "True Blue" patriotic fashion. That is until he meets Luke. A comedy about just what it means to be "Australian". Duration: 15 mins Cast: 3 male Un-Australian Day was first produced at the New Theatre in Sydney in 2007 as part of Art is a Weapon, directed by Louise Fischer.
Yell(ow) (2006)
Lee and Sian, a young couple live in a unit in Sydney's inner west. Their life was shattered recently when Lee's younger brother Chik was implicated in the kidnapping and murder of Sian's cousin, Kila. Late one night Lee is woken from a fitful sleep by a yelling outside his window. He goes to the kitchen where Sian finds him. Soon their strong bond of love is put to the test as Lee must admit what he knows and faces the toughest decision he has ever had to make in his life. Duration: 15 mins Cast: 1 female, 1 male Yell (ow) was produced in 2007 at the Newtown Theatre in Sydney as part of "Love & War", directed by Felicity Nicol with Stephanie Son and Leo Kim (pictured).
You (2004)
In a full circle of desire and rejection, Walter wants to be with Alice, who obsesses over Strang, who shudders to think of it and pursues Dominic, who thinks he wants Deborah, who, of course, focuses on Walter! As they literally chase each other around a table, they suddenly stop and come to at least one agreement: The problem is "you!" An entertaining comment on relationships. Duration: 10 mins Cast: 3 male, 2 female You was first produced by Alleyway Theatre Company as part of the 2006 Buffalo Quickies in Buffalo, New Jersey, USA, directed by Joyce Stilson. In 2007 it was produced at the Deloraine One-Act Play Festival in Tasmania, Australia.