Brighton’s NVT Studio

An “exciting selection of brilliant short plays” is the promise at Brighton’s NVT Studio from October 2-10.

Spokeswoman Elysa Hyde talks you through the plays coming up:

Sure Thing by David Ives, directed by Oliver Canavan, running time: 16 minutes.

“A brilliantly witty and fast-paced comedy, Sure Thing explores the awkward, hilarious, and all-too-relatable world of first encounters. Set in a café, the play follows two strangers navigating a conversation that keeps hilariously resetting every time something goes wrong. It’s sharp, playful, and full of clever twists — a real actor’s piece with great timing and comedic potential.”

Say Something Happened by Alan Bennett, directed by Jason Lever, running time: 30 minutes.

“Mrs Rhodes is busy staring out the window while Mr Rhodes is about to look up Helsinki in his atlas when this retired couple in Leeds have a call from eager but green social worker, June, and her council questionnaire. She wants to put them on an at risk register – but Mam and Dad, perfectly alert, able-bodied and streetwise, have no intention of this! This is a funny and poignant dramatisation of a direct confrontation between old age and youth and more.

“As one of his favourite writers, Jason Lever is excited to direct this largely forgotten piece of not too gentle social satire in Alan Bennett’s 92nd year. It still feels relevant over 40 Years On from when it was on television (1982) and radio (1989).”

Catherine Medbh by Declan Feenan, directed by Alice Healey, running time: 16 minutes.

“A tender, bittersweet Irish short play. Set in a bar, the play follows a hesitant encounter between two former lovers. Intimate and deeply human, the piece relies on emotional

truth, subtext and naturalistic dialogue.”

The Candidate by Brent Holland, directed by Carolyn Chinn, running time: 30 minutes.

“Four strangers wake up in a locked room. They have no memory of who they are, how they got there or why they’ve been brought together. With no obvious means of escape, suspicion mounts and survival takes over. Who can be trusted? Who is in control? And who will pay the

ultimate price? The Candidate is a gripping 30-minute psychological thriller where nothing is quite what it seems and every choice has consequences.

“Looking for a modern thriller for NVT Shorts, Carolyn Chinn stumbled across The Candidate, a play she describes as Twelve Angry Men meets Squid Game. Carolyn is hugely grateful to the cast and crew for their hard work and support. Now hold onto your seat and enjoy the ride.”

The Fall (extract) by James Fritz, directed by Sarah Tansey, running time: 22 minutes.

“Two teens plan a secret rendez-vous in the empty house of a retired lawyer but they get more than they bargained for. Funny, poignant and gripping, this powerful short play is the first in a trilogy of stories in which two worlds collide and a prescient moral dilemma comes to the fore. The Fall is Sarah’s directing debut. This production contains loud noises, flashing lights, strong language and adult themes that some may find distressing.”

Tickets: https://www.ticketsource.com/newventuretheatre/short-plays-2026/e-djmabj

For further details, phone box office information on 01273 746118. Ticket price: £14 (£12 NVT Members)