Lysicrates Prize finds funny side of science

A comic play about two scientists who discover an uncomfortable truth about human intelligence has won a drama contest.

Brooke Robinson, Matthew Whittet and Katy Warner. Picture: John Feder

A comic play about two scientists who discover an uncomfortable truth about human intelligence — that one part of society is brighter than the rest — has won a drama contest in which the audience votes for the winner.

Brooke Robinson’s play, ­Deoxyribo-Whatever Acid, was voted the best of three short plays at the Lysicrates Prize in Sydney on Friday.

The $15,000 prize was first held in 2015 and is based on the drama festivals of ancient Athens. This year was the first in which entrants had to write a comic play.

Robinson, who has entered the prize previously, said writing a comedy was an extra challenge because the play had to be satisfying drama while also being funny.

“The prize has a track record of getting plays produced and that is what everyone is looking for,” Robinson said.

“And testing the play in front of an audience is a real confidence boost.”

The other finalists, Matthew Whittet and Katy Warner, were also enthusiastic about the prize.

Whittet wrote his play, No Need To Hide A Light When It Shines Like Hers, after seeing women and girls on their way to physical culture contests wearing tracksuits and immaculate makeup.

“The play is kind of ridiculous,” he said. “You get a good sense of these characters, and their drives and problems. It comes out of a lot of joy.”

Warner, previously a finalist in the Lysicrates Prize and its offshoot for school students, the Martin Lysicrates Prize, said she liked the prize because of its ­investment in writers.

Her play, The Party, is about a female political leader whose party is trying to find a way to ­depose her.

“There is a lot of life in this prize,” she said. “You get actors in the room and a director on board. It’s a really great model.”

The Lysicrates Prize was founded by Sydney couple John and Patricia Azarias, who were inspired by the ideals of ancient Greece and a desire to help ­promote Australian dramatic writing.

Five past winners and finalists have gone on to full-stage productions. Whittet is about to ­appear at Sydney’s Belvoir theatre in Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam by Steve Rodgers, winner of the inaugural Lysicrates Prize in 2015.