"Chiswick Shorts" by various (2-5 July 2025)

Poster

​We’ve teamed up with Bite-Size, a Brighton-based group who’ve been performing short plays at the Edinburgh Fringe, and in Brighton and London for many years. We’re very excited to be working with them, and even more thrilled as it’s given us a chance for some of our members to try their hand at directing for the first time.

Among the selections there’s a kidnap with a twist, a ménage-à-trois with added bite, a couple obsessed with the 1940s, an interpreter caught up in a war of words and a busy blind date. Each play lasts about 10-15 minutes and contains strong language and adult themes.

All staged in a cabaret style, with tables and chairs. So why not arrive in good time, take advantage of our well-stocked bar and enjoy a summer evening of theatre?

What they said
"Well, that was a fun night - great characters, plot lines and twists, kept me guessing and chucking along. Thank you everyone, front and backstage… just what summer evenings need! 🩳" Teena H

"Congratulations to everyone! Great concept, interesting how rapidly characters, situation, surprise and even suspense can be established in such a short timescale. Many thanks, and rock on !🙏👏" Sue S

"Everyone was so so good last night. You should’ve slept well! Thank you for a very entertaining and thoughtful and provocative evening!" Tony T

"Fab show - funny and love the short sharp contained stories .  Thoroughly enjoyed it! X" Penny S

"very well done and very entertaining." Maggie T

"Really enjoyed the format which was perfect for a summer evening’s entertainment. Well done. What talent " Kiran S

"Such a fab evening - thoroughly enjoyable. Well done" Gillian F

"Absolutely wonderful evening with Chiswick shorts from beginning to end and in the middle! Hilarious, heart breaking and a little touch of horror! What could be better. The audience were good value as well. I loved the energy of ladies laying tables with a whole supper of nibbles and wine! Well done!" Arabella H-C

"Bravo to all involved! The plays were such fun to watch. The whole evening was very well organised. Such pros!" Helen M

"What a fabulous evening with the Chiswick Shorts, I absolutely LOVED it guys, from the wonderful gibberish at the start right up until that voice in my head at the end - a hugely enjoyable evening - thanks to all the stars on stage and all those directors - both the newbies and the old pros, and not forgetting the tech box gurus, stage management, FOH, the  Bar and all - another major triumph! Congratulations!" David B

Photos

Programme

Cast

The Interpreter by Jonathan Kaufman
US Ambassador  Tim de Vere Green
Luketian Ambassador Oscar Fieldman
Interpreter  Vicki Belcher

Happy and Gay by Mary Steelsmith
Director Amelia Barker 
Betty  Allison Du Cane
Veronica  Rachel Fay

Vintage by Lucy Kaufman
Director Amelia Barker 
David Oscar Fieldman
Jenny Georgina Parren

Transactions by Scott McAteer
Director Allison De Frees
Him Neil Dickins
Her Alexandra Shaw

Bite Me by Nina Mansfield
Director Allison De Frees
Ellen  Alice Klapwyk
Mark  Neil Dickins
Edward  Al Griffith

Keeping Annabelle by Rachel Welsh
Director  Rosie Copping
Beattie  Bryony Parker
Joe  Guy Fairbank

A Quiet Table for Four by Philip Linsdell
Director Vicki Belcher
Karen Cressida Strauss
Inner Karen Elizabeth Ollier
Waitress Sue Darrieulat
Inner Waitress Christine Lee
Richard  Chris Jones
Inner Richard Tim de Vere Green

Crew

Artistic Director (Guy Fairbank)
Producer (Vicki Belcher)
Stage Manager (Jo Harry)
Set Design (Chris Hulatt, James Holmes-Siedle)
Props (Susan Johnson)
Costumes (Cast and Crew)
Sound (Gareth Sammer)
Lighting (Andy Rooney)
Publicity (Gareth Sammer, Guy Fairbank)
​Front of House (Imogen Measday and members of St Michael’s Players)