The Manly Festival of Short Plays 2026

Manly Theatre Group invites you to the 5th annual Manly Festival of Short Plays.

Each year, Manly Theatre Group invites the local community to write 10 minute plays to be performed by our actors on our Manly stage. This year, we have 12 new Australian works with 37 actors over two weeks in "The Sky Theatre" the Manly Theatre Group residency at St Andrew's Hall. Make sure to check out both Week 1 and Week 2 in the programme as the selection of plays changes for each week.

The Festival has been sold out to a full house since we began in 2022. You can check out pictures in the gallery. A full list of the cast can be found here.

Week 1 - Thursday 12 - Saturday 14 November 2026

• Mad Bitches written & directed by Frank Leggart

• Home to Roast written by Cassie Matheson & directed by Frank Byrne

• The Line written & directed by Felix Carlyle

• Dying for Doughnuts written by Harry Kolotas & directed by Paul Kininmonth

• The Naked Truth written & directed by Liz Jewell

• Aqua written & directed by Liz Eastland

Week 2 - Thursday 19 - Saturday 21 November 2026

• Monobrow written by Xavia Tankhilevich & directed by Katrin Hertzog

• Ten-Minute Warning written & directed by Trevor Shaskey

• Redundant written by Annie Gurton & directed by Sharon Howard-Butler

• Audition written by Stef Savannah & directed by Lee Sarich

• Peace Love & Camel Skin Slippers written by Harry Kolotas & directed by Kathleen Walker

• Time to Tell written by Diane Bartok & directed by Kathleen Walker

Content warning: The plays contain adult themes including strong language and therefore recommended for audiences 15+ years. 

Tickets: $30 / $25 concession

Dates:

• Thursday 12 November at 7.30pm

• Friday 13 November at 7.30pm

• Saturday 14 November at 2pm and 7.30pm

• Thursday 19 November at 7.30pm

• Friday 20 November at 7.30pm

• Saturday 21 November at 2pm and 7.30pm

Doors will open at 7pm for the evening performances with curtain up at 7.30pm. For the matinee performance, doors will open at 1.45pm with a start of 2pm. The bar will be stocked with wine, beer, hot drinks, snacks and good vibes.

Proudly supported by Northern Beaches Council.

Manly Theatre Group is a registered not-for-profit charity and a growing community of locals. Our goal is to ensure access to the arts is affordable and accessible by creating opportunities for Northern Beaches residents to become involved in theatre, regardless of background or experience. We appreciate any optional donation when you order your ticket.

Poster design @samueljohnweeks.mov