Six finalists for this year's 'Famous for 15 Minutes' playwriting competition, sponsored by the Bermuda Musical & Dramatic Society, have now been chosen by an overseas panel of judges, and will shortly have their works publicly performed at Daylesford Theatre.

The six plays and their seven writers are: 'Alphabet Soup' by Karenmary Penn, 'All in the Same Boat' by Debbie Rigaud, 'Fourteen Blueberries' by Christopher Edwards and Keith Madeiros, 'Going Somewhere' by John Gardner, 'Inter-Mortem' by Owain Johnston, and 'The Donor' by Holly Price.

John Gardner: 'Going Somewhere' marks his third time as a competition finalist. Previous plays were 'Old Jock' (reviewed with the comment "Yes, but what was it about?") and 'Continuously Equidistant', described as "weird". This year's play was apparently easily identified as Mr. Gardner's because it, too, is apparently "weird". Mr. Gardner, on the other hand, thinks it is normal, and everyone else is weird. 'Going Somewhere' was inspired by actual events including ladies' night at Buckets Night Club in Winter Park, Colorado — although its author has never actually been to Buckets.

Owain Johnston: A student at Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida, Mr. Johnston is a Communications major with a focus on journalism, and a minor in theatre arts and creative writing.

'Inter-Mortem', his first play submitted for competition, is about someone who dies, is met in the afterlife waiting room by the concierge, who is "all but holier-than-thou", and forces her to evaluate her life. Originally written for two male characters, it was appropriately rewritten to accommodate female actors.

Mr. Johnston is "amazed and excited" to be among such fine finalists. While he would love to win the competition, the idea of getting the audience to react and laugh is even more exciting to him.

"It is not about the award, it is about the fans," he says.

Keith Madeiros and Christopher Edwards: Mr. Madeiros has been involved in the theatre, both on and off stage, for many years. Prompted by his good friend and co-writer, Christopher Edwards, '14 Blueberries' is his first attempt at writing an original script for the playwriting competition. Mr. Edwards came up with the concept and much of the script, while Mr. Madeiros faced the unique challenge of applying his knowledge of the stage from a directing and acting viewpoint into this collaborative effort.

"The play is about two old men in a seniors' residence reminiscing about their loves, lives, and the great friendship they have had, and P.S. they happen to be gay," Mr. Madeiros says.

Reacting to being a finalist, he adds: "I am very happy to have been selected. Writing the play was great fun, and I am thrilled to have the talented Annette Hallett directing a talented cast. Christopher and I were inspired through watching last year's 'Famous for 15 Minutes' shows. Little did we know then that we would be finalists this year in our first attempt."

Co-writer Mr. Edwards describes being a finalist as "fantastic", and says he is "overwhelmed; very, very happy; and very surprised. It is a wonderful thing to happen. It is honour enough to be a finalist, although we would both love to win of course."

Karenmary Penn: Originally from Chicago, 'Alphabet Soup' is her very first play. It is about two people on a blind date in Bermuda, who begin to play a word game which reveals some things about their inner lives. Mrs. Penn is "thrilled" to be a finalist, and says, "More than anything, I was excited about the prospect of seeing my words brought to life on stage."

Holly Leigh Price: Has studied creative writing through various university courses in the US and the UK. Participated in Ministry of Community and Cultural Affairs writer-in-residence programme. Gained Bachelor of Arts degree at Columbia University, and is now pursuing Master of Fine Arts degree in fiction through Queens University of Charlotte, North Carolina. She is also working on her first novel.

'The Donor' is about a professional couple in their late 30s dealing with their infertility, their examination of their marriage, where they are in their lives, and their desire to become parents.

Ms Price is "extremely happy and somewhat surprised" to be a finalist, as this is her first play.

Debbie M. Rigaud: Began her writing career covering news and entertainment for magazines. Her articles have appeared in Seventeen, CosmoGIRL!, Essence, Trace, InsideTV/TVGuide, and Vibe Vixen, among others. Her first young adult fiction novella was published by KimaniTru Press in the anthology, 'Hallway Diaries'. Her next young adult novel will be published by Simon & Schuster in 2009.

'All in the Same Boat' is Ms Rigaud's first play, and she is "thrilled" to be a finalist.

"The idea of seeing my writing coming to life on stage is like a dream, so I am very excited," she says.

The play is about four young men living on a houseboat in Bermuda, who are a mix of characters and personalities. The concept sprang from true life stories told to Ms Rigaud by the mother of two sons who really do who live on a houseboat here.

"I said they sounded like fodder for a comedy, and she encouraged me to build on that as a writer," the aspiring playwright says.

'Famous for 15 Minutes' competition rules require the plays to be no more than 15 minutes long, have a maximum of four actors but no children, a simple set and props, and that the writer be a Bermuda resident.

Initial submissions were sent off island to a preliminary reviewing committee who narrowed the field down to the six winning finalist plays, which will be performed at Daylesford Theatre from July 21-26.

To avoid any bias through good or poor performances, visiting judge Jane McCullough chose the winning script before arriving on Island, and on the final gala night she will present the 'Golden Inkwell' trophy to the winning playwright.

Due to other commitments, Kelvin Hastings-Smith, who has co-produced 'Famous for 15 Minutes' since its inception in 2002, and, together with Tom Coash and Dr. Phillip Jones, was behind the formulation of the competition, was forced to bow out this year. In his stead, Kevin Blee, Adrienne Hintz and Philip McIntosh, who are trustees of the BMDS Charitable Trust, are the producers. The Charitable Trust is the beneficiary of proceeds from the playwriting festival.

Mr. Smith will, however, emcee the event, as always, "as it just wouldn't be the same without him", a spokesperson said.

Speaking on behalf of the trustees, Ms Hintz says of this year's entries: "We received a total of 26 — 12 more than in 2007, so the competition is getting bigger and more each year. Half of those playwrights are not involved with BMDS, and four of the final six plays selected were not written by BMDS members. This shows that this event is reaching a wider audience in Bermuda, which is just wonderful."

Members of the preliminary reading committee in the US were Thomas Coash, award-winning playwright, director, and one of the Founders of the 'Famous For 15 Minutes' festival; Jacqueline Raposo, actress, writer and producer in New York City; and Clifford Lee Johnson III, director of musical theatre at the Manhattan Theatre Club, playwright, writer and creative consultant.

"All three were extremely impressed with the quality of this year's entries," Ms Hintz says. "They found the selection to be extremely tough, and had much discussion before they were finally able to come to a happy consensus.

"However, we never want to discourage anyone from putting pen to paper and trying their hand at next year's festival. We are delighted with the increasing popularity of this event."

Performances of the six plays will take place nightly from July 21 to 26 at Daylesford Theatre on the corner of Dundonald and Washington Streets beginning at 8.00 p.m. Tickets (July 21-25 $25, July 26 $75) will be available as follows: From July 12 on line and outside Daylesford box office hours on website www.boxoffice.bm.

From July 14 – 18 at Daylesford Theatre box office from 5.30 p.m. to 7.00 pm, as well as from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. on performance nights (telephone 292-0848 during box office hours only).