Scenes from the Sage Age Competition

Sage Age? That’s people aged 60 and over.

They are wise, creative, and have decades of experience to share.

This national play writing competition is for people 60 plus.

People anywhere in Australia were invited to submit a 15 to 20 minute stage play on any topic (bagpipes, politics, dating apps, shoehorns, anything) and enter it in the competition. Entries closed December 15, 2023.

There were 164 entries.

The oldest entrant is 92 ! 84 entrants are 60 - 69, 55 entrants are 70 - 79, 19 entrants are 80 - 89.

One entry was from the ACT, 5 from Tasmania, 5 from South Australia, 6 from Western Australia, 22 from Queensland, 33 from Victoria, 89 from NSW.

The scripts were assessed by two renowned Australian playwrights, Justin Fleming and Stephen Sewell. 

Justin and Stephen read and scored all entries. They did all this to give back to the theatre community and to encourage older people to be creative.

Scene Theatre Sydney discovered a talented generation of playwrights !

The eight selected entries were by

Connery Brown 

Mortdale, NSW

Connery rediscovered his love of creative writing during the pandemic. He first wrote an ambitious novel that has come in handy as a levelling wedge for his wonky writing desk. Since then, he has stuck to short stories and poems. This is his first ever play. 

Bend It Like Beckett– A tip of the hat to Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot, first staged 70 years ago. Bend it like Beckett* explores episodes in Beckett’s life which set the stage for his unique and bleak ‘theatre of the absurd’, as wellasgiving glimpses into his legacy. *With apologies to fans of the beautiful game who will be sorely disappointed this play is a football-free zone, with nary a goalpost in sight.

Paul Clarke

South Brisbane

Paul's writing in recent years has been focussed on short stories and plays, featuring Australian characters, past and present. Perhaps one day he may get around to writing about his experience many years ago, on holiday in a foreign country, where he suffered a health issue but had great difficulty being medically evacuated because he was suspected of being a spy!  

The TeamIt is the near future, and four applicants in the final stage of a selection process for a prestigious IT job are set an unusual task.In order towin the position, they must undertake a group exercise involving a unique and formidable challenge.

Katrina Samaras

 Wollongong, NSW

Katrina has been involved in community theatre for many years. She began writing short plays in 2016, and her work has been performed across Australia. She’s an ex-librarian who now teaches dance part-time to adults.

The Museum of Tears - A man visits the mysterious Museum of Tears  and receives the ultimate gift of love. This play grew from thinking about the nature of grief. My brother died a number of years ago, and my father still struggles with the grieving process.

Paul Bucci

Geelong, Victoria

Mine is a piss-take of a play covering a range of relevant issues but mainly focussed on the disparity between those with and those without and particularly addressing the housing crisis.

Allocateeism - Pensioners  Dave and Mary are visited by State Government Reallocation Officer, George, who introduces them to a new government policy.

Kerri Gay

 Low Head, Tasmania

I am a teacher and an award-winning actor and comedian but this is the first theatre play I have written for someone else's voice and the first writing competition I have entered. I am currently working on a local production of Death of a Salesman playing the role of Linda Loman.

Ubuntu -   The friendships that last are few and far between. They become the real love stories. Two old friends are drinking red wine, sharing laughs and fighting tears. Singing too loudly, dancing fearlessly and giving opinions ferociously. Just a normal catch-up........

Donna Spillane

Seddon, Victoria

I am a High School English and Drama teacher and my strongest passion in life (besides my family) is acting, followed closely by writing. In my thirties I travelled all over the world paying my way through busking. I still sing a cappella, but mainly in the shower, although my students will sometimes con me into serenading them while they work.

Blowing the Whistle - While its primary focus is the importance of netball for young women in the 1970s and 80s, this play is also a tale of family and the secrets and lies we tell each other. It is in no way a reflection of my own family, except for the fact that the lead character is absolutely hopeless at netball!

Sally Bartley

Copacabana, NSW

I have lived in Copacabana for 33 years and am a life member of Wyong Drama Group.  I have acted in too many plays to mention, the last one being the adult Jean Louise in To Kill A Mockingbird. I have had many of my short plays performed in Festivals such as Short and Sweet (Sydney, Canberra and New Delhi), Woy Woy Little Theatre Flash Festival and Port Players Festival of One Act Plays.

Walk a Mile - Alex and Sophia are hosting dinner with friends Alex and Fiona, but Sophia is less than keen. She's getting hot flushes and is really not too fond of the younger Fiona. Alex can't seem to put a step right. When the guests arrive, the arguments begin and it looks as though the women will never find common ground.

Steve North

Grafton, NSW

I came to Australia from London in 1968 to play soccer for Ballarat. Fast forward 20 years and I auditioned for a play at the Criterion Theatre in Grafton, and got the part! Since then I have acted in or directed about 40 community theatre productions. Never give up on your dreams, I say.

The Last Rehearsal - A theatre group have one las rehearsal before showtime. One by one, each cast and crew member walks out on the director. What is to become of the play? Why the mass walkout?

Five wonderful actors performed moved play readings of the eight short plays

Sandy Gore

Sandy is a prominent figure in Australian entertainment with notable roles on TV and film in iconic shows such as PrisonerBrides of ChristRake, Evil Angels and Australia. She has performed in over 80 stage plays and has created characters for great Australian playwrights Ray Lawler, Alex Buzo, David Williamson and Nick Enright.

David Lynch

Actor, director, producer, writer, teacher - Griffin, Ensemble, Queensland Theatre, Sydney Festival, Red Line, KXT, Monkey Baa, Old 505, Merrigong, Glen Street  etc. etc. - most recently David co-directed The Face of Jizo for Omusubi Productions - nominated for 4 Sydney Theatre Awards.

Gennie Nevinson 

Gennie has featured in almost every TV series made in Australia since 1981.  She played Deidre Chambers in Muriel’s Wedding, andplayed one of the Jurors in Foxtel’s The Twelve.  She is delighted to be part of Sage to Stage.

Alice Livingstone

Alice is best known for her roles in  Water Rats, Murder Call and Home and Away. She is also a stage producer and publicist who says “I also hold down a 'proper job' at Sydney Living Museums".

Steve Paton

Steve trained at the Ensemble Studios in the early 1970s. His productions included Pirandello’s The Man With The Flower In His Mouth and Ibsen's The Master Builder both directed by Don Mamouney, and the Ensemble Theatre’s production of Sam and Bella Spewack’s Boy Meets Girl directed by Hayes Gordon.

Performance reviews

This was a very impressive event. Everyone wanted to be there. A great success.  David Kary, Sydney Arts Guide

It all came together brilliantly on Sunday. And what a great idea! At an age when you can often start feeling written off, you spurred us on to write our own stories.  Connery Brown, the winner

I just wanted to say a big ‘thank you’ for a very entertaining, fun afternoon.  Barbara A

What a great day! Many congratulations... you must be pleased at how well it all went. I know my lot had a ball.... so thanks.       David S

 Thank you for a most enjoyable afternoon. I had such a laugh.  Faye H-A

I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed this evening’s presentation. It was for me, one of the best theatre experiences. The plays were quite true to life and I personally could relate to many. The actors were amazing. Thank you for organizing such an event.  Margaret G

Congratulations on an outstanding show, a full audience, and engrossed engagement and enjoyment! Well done!    Victor Spiegel

What a great day! Many congratulationsDavid S

Congratulations!!  What a terrific afternoon of quite varied, interesting plays.  You have really pulled together quite a number of “mature” talented people who provided such an entertaining program.  Marjorie K…

Congratulations on a sensational success. Packed house and winners all round!  Geoff S

It was really wonderful to see a full house yesterday, and the very positive audience reaction. Everyone we spoke with enjoyed the event very much indeed.  David C.

Thank you for such a wonderful time I had on Sunday at the Sage to Stage reading. Sandy Gore was brilliant and had the audience in the palm of her hand all the way through. Once again, many thanks for the opportunity to be a part of reading.    Steve Paton, actor

Thank you for the wonderful Sage experience! It was really wonderful to see a full house yesterday, and the very positive audience reaction. Everyone we spoke with enjoyed the event very much indeed. A real credit to you and your tireless efforts over the past year to ensure such a success.  Paul Clarke, playwright