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In episode one, the cast are left without a director… or are they? Two comedians attempt to mount a play even though their ‘infamous American director’, they selected through facebook, has gone back to LA and starts directing via text messages and YouTube. ‘Taking a Bullet’ is a comedy about the meeting of minds between the secret services agent for Barack Obama, Agent Kubrick, and ‘Nathan’ – Kevin Rudd’s equivalent. The judges have a surprising reaction to the crowd pleasing play. |
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In episode two we see mayhem as an orthodox director takes each member of his 6 cast and conducts controversial one on one sessions. In one such session he aggressively pushes around a young ‘fresh out of school’ actress in the name of giving her ‘character motivation’. The cast are sent insane with a million rehearsals over months all culminating in one TEN minute play. The result is a highly produced Jane Austin period piece with the pace cranked up as they plough through Pride and Prejudice in ten minutes. Hilarity ensues. The cast, a mixture of newbies and more seasoned artists are all relieved once they hit their final performance at the Gala Finale where a 700 strong audience and the judges watch in anticipation. |
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The aptly titled play, ‘Rain of Ruin’ features in episode three as the back story backstage, rivals the high soap opera-ish drama performed onstage. Major cultural clashes ensue as fights, debates, arguments and tears ruin friendships and strain relationships. The very diverse cast end up having to guess their direction as they claw their way to the gala finale with a director who’s convinced he has a ‘vision’ for the ambitious piece. The panel take no prisoners in their critique of this play, as judge, Mark Morrissey, says ‘I can’t even find a point to give this director, he doesn’t listen.’ |
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Episode four features a beautiful and very unexpected play, performed by two older, talented actors. The judges get fired up as they see its potential and question critical decisions made by the director. Female lead, Karen Cobban travels hours leaving her teaching job to attend rehearsals whilst the male lead, Graham Yates, takes his RDO’s from a government job at Australian Customs. A diverse mix of cast are lead by a very talented director (best overall play winner in last year’s series) as they perform their moving play in front of a 700 strong audience. |
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In episode five, director Nir Shelter takes a massive hit to his ego as the judges give some critical advise and he has one week to pull his cast together and try and make some improvements. The reluctant cast come on board after an intense rehearsal session that sees friendships and working relationships stretched. |
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Episode six features an incredibly determined and hard working director as she battles with her own private health war. Together with a passionate and dedicated cast they put on a beautiful and touching play about life, love and relationships. |
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In episode seven, a cast of six are left to their own devices as their director takes off on holidays. It’s a complex play that requires precision timing and strong direction. The reigns are handed over to young actor, Daniel to pull the play off in front of a 700 strong audience. In the end there is a surprising result from the judges. |
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Episode eight features a delightful play about the tipping point in a relationship. An Irish hairdresses and an Englishman form the cast on stage with their headstrong director. Together, through the eternal juggling act of full time jobs and rehearsals, they pull their play together at last minute rehearsals. |
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In episode nine the pressure of getting on a piece of independnt theatre increases dramatically when one of the actors announces to the group that she has a heart condiiton. The group work together furiously to pull it together to get to the finale night. |
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The final episode of the series starts with the tenth play, a one man show. All responsibility is on actor, Anthony to pull it off – but his main obstacle is to get to stage on time as he leaves the stage from performing in another play, makes a mad dash across town to walk out on another stage and perform in front of 700 people and the judges. This episode also sees the final score tally and the judges award their prizes. |
