IT’S a case of once, twice, three times a play at Melville Theatre this February and March.

Three short plays – all playing on the same night – are being presented under the banner of Summer Shorts, providing a diverse mix of intrigue, comedy and reflections on life.

An Unwritten Page by Angela Pritchard provides a snapshot of life’s hopes and dreams when two friends arrive to help Ben celebrate his 40th birthday.

But there is more to Ben than meets the eye with plenty to learn and the question of whether he will ever actually turn 40.

“I enjoy working with the genre of one-act plays, which are short plays,” director Val Henry said. “Words are all there for a distinct purpose and little is wasted.

“When I read An Unwritten Page, I was moved by the certainty that nothing in life can ever really be planned.

“The only moment we can be certain of is the current one – nothing else is real and Angela’s play highlights this.

“I have directed Angela’s work before and I find her a very interesting writer because she has an intense understanding of life and human emotion, expressing it well on the written page.”

Under The Bright Sun by Norm Foster looks at four people who meet at a bus stop and question their existence.

“Each has some form of amnesia and they question their lives and love,” director Jay Shaw said.

“I’ve been away from the stage for a while and have put a toe back in the water with stage management but decided it was time to see if all my training can come to the spotlight with this show my directorial debut.”

Bob Charteris is writer and director of That’s What Friends Are For, a mature-age romantic comedy that looks at a terminally-ill woman’s suggestions for those dearest to her.

Always thinking of others, Helen suggests her husband Tom and best friend Irene could better enjoy life if they get together.

“I like to write about issues that affect single people in their 60s, including sex,” Charteris said.

“Of course, in this play one on them is still married, which enabled me to put a few unexpected twists in the plot.

“Because the play is, in essence, a series of conversations, the challenge was to construct it in a way that holds the audience’s attention while, at the same time, allowing them to build up the story in their minds.”  

An Unwritten Page, Under The Bright Sun and That’s What Friends Are For (collectively billed as Summer Shorts) play at 8pm, February 27, 28, March 5, 6 and 7 with a 2pm matinee March 1. Tickets are $20, $15 concession – book on 9330 4565 or at www.meltheco.org.au.

Melville Theatre is on the corner of Stock Road and Canning Highway, Palmyra.