Threatened Panda Fights Back
10-minute comedy
As the World Wildlife Fund’s poster boy for endangered animals, Ling enjoys a comfortable life full of adulation and all the bamboo he can eat. But when a rival species challenges him for the role, he risks losing everything.
CHARACTERS:
LING, male giant panda, extremely overweight and vain
YAN, female giant panda, on heat
MR D, weird-looking bird, nervous
MRS D, weird-looking bird, cheerful, very pregnant
CHARACTERS:
LING, male giant panda, extremely overweight and vain
YAN, female giant panda, on heat
MR D, weird-looking bird, nervous
MRS D, weird-looking bird, cheerful, very pregnant
AWARDS
Threatened Panda Fights Back was the JUDGES CHOICE Week 1 at Short+Sweet Illawarra, Harbour Theatre, Shellharbour, Australia, October 4-7, 2018.
Patrick Harrison (Ling) and Kaylee Ashton (Yan)
Threatened Panda Fights Back won two awards at Short+Sweet Theatre, Auckland, New Zealand, September 20, 2015.
- BEST COMEDY SCRIPT
- PEOPLE'S CHOICE
Mustaq Missouri (Ling), Georgina Silk (Mrs D), Irasa Siave (Yan), Rex McGregor (writer), Katie Burson (director). Front: Tom Wardle (Mr D)
PRODUCTIONS
Playbytes by Playwrights: Lost and Found
LowellArtsTheater
Lowell, Michigan
November 1-9, 2019
LowellArtsTheater
Lowell, Michigan
November 1-9, 2019
Pyro PlayFest: The Winds of Change
Paris Junior College
Paris, Texas
April 25, 27, 28, 2019
Cast: Will Walker (Ling), Kathleen Hays (Yan), Lisa Martin (Mrs D), Raden Phillips (Mr D)
Directed by Frederic Doss
Paris Junior College
Paris, Texas
April 25, 27, 28, 2019
Cast: Will Walker (Ling), Kathleen Hays (Yan), Lisa Martin (Mrs D), Raden Phillips (Mr D)
Directed by Frederic Doss
Raden Phillips (Mr D) and Lisa Martin (Mrs D)
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Will Walker (Ling) and Kathleen Hays (Yan)
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Short+Sweet Illawarra
Harbour Theatre
Shellharbour, Australia
October 4-7, 2018
Cast: Patrick Harrison (Ling), Kaylee Ashton (Yan), Isabella Whitcher (Mrs D), Flynn Mapplebeck (Mr D)
Directed by Cara Severino
* Winner: JUDGES CHOICE Week 1
*2nd place: PEOPLE'S CHOICE Week 1
Harbour Theatre
Shellharbour, Australia
October 4-7, 2018
Cast: Patrick Harrison (Ling), Kaylee Ashton (Yan), Isabella Whitcher (Mrs D), Flynn Mapplebeck (Mr D)
Directed by Cara Severino
* Winner: JUDGES CHOICE Week 1
*2nd place: PEOPLE'S CHOICE Week 1
Patrick Harrison (Ling) and Kaylee Ashton (Yan)
Flynn Mapplebeck (Mr D) and Isabella Whitcher (Mrs D)
Review
"A panda named Ling (Harrison) is the poster boy for endangered animals until science brings two dodos (Mapplebeck & Whitcher) back to life. A humorous and creative piece with plenty of funny sex-based humour and winning comedic performances, aided by panda make-up and great dodo costumes, by all four. Understandable why it won first place with the judges." - Dylan Horvat
Short+Sweet South India
In Transit Ensemble
Edouard Michelin Auditorium
Chennai, India, July 11-14 & 28, 2018
Cast: Ajay Ram (Ling), Madhumeetha B (Yan), Akshay Sureth (Mr D), Shilpa Ivaturi (Mrs D)
Directed by Sushant Alexander
Week 2 Weekly Prizes
In Transit Ensemble
Edouard Michelin Auditorium
Chennai, India, July 11-14 & 28, 2018
Cast: Ajay Ram (Ling), Madhumeetha B (Yan), Akshay Sureth (Mr D), Shilpa Ivaturi (Mrs D)
Directed by Sushant Alexander
Week 2 Weekly Prizes
- Best Director (joint winner): Sushant Alexander
- Special Mention - Actor (Female): Shilpa Ivaturi
- Special Mention - Performance: Threatened Panda Fights Back
Ajay Ram (Ling), Sushant Alexander (director), Akshay Sureth (Mr D), Shilpa Ivaturi (Mrs D), Madhumeetha B (Yan)
Shilpa Ivaturi (Mrs D) and Akshay Sureth (Mr D)
Ménagerie à Trois
Theatre Hawke's Bay
The Playhouse
Hastings, New Zealand
July 20-29, 2017
Cast: Ali Beal (Ling), Peter Berry (Yan), Jack Garvey (Mr D), Nathalie van Egten (Mrs D)
Directed by Cam Lithgow
Theatre Hawke's Bay
The Playhouse
Hastings, New Zealand
July 20-29, 2017
Cast: Ali Beal (Ling), Peter Berry (Yan), Jack Garvey (Mr D), Nathalie van Egten (Mrs D)
Directed by Cam Lithgow
Ali Beal (Ling), Nathalie van Egten (Mrs D), Jack Garvey (Mr D)
Nathalie van Egten (Mrs D), Peter Berry (Yan), Ali Beal (Ling), Jack Garvey (Mr D)
Review
"The best part of the evening is the short, sweet and side splitting Threatened Panda Fights Back, by Rex McGregor. Ali Beal morphs into an hilarious Ling – WWF’s poster boy for endangered animals, and Peter Berry a very whiskery and believable Yan, Ling’s amorous mate. When the pandas discover they are about to be usurped by a miraculously now un-extinct pair of dodos, they swiftly hatch a plan to dispatch of the couple. Jack Garvey and Nathalie Van Egten are wonderfully awkward dodos as they totter around the stage, and the play is so absorbing I was surprised, and disappointed, when it ended." - The Hook
Cutting Edge Comedy
Hokitika Dramatic Society
Old Lodge Theatre
Hokitika, New Zealand
June 22 - July 1, 2017
Cast: Jim Butzbach (Ling), Raewyn Cooper (Yan), Terry Michele Gee (Mrs D), Jason Thompson (Mr D)
Directed by Sue Asplin
Hokitika Dramatic Society
Old Lodge Theatre
Hokitika, New Zealand
June 22 - July 1, 2017
Cast: Jim Butzbach (Ling), Raewyn Cooper (Yan), Terry Michele Gee (Mrs D), Jason Thompson (Mr D)
Directed by Sue Asplin
Jim Butzbach (Ling) and Raewyn Cooper (Yan)
Raewyn Cooper (Yan), Jason Thompson (Mr D), Terry Michele Gee (Mrs D), Jim Butzbach (Ling)
The British Theatre Challenge Act II
Sky Blue Theatre Company
Lost Theatre
London
April 7, 2017
Cast: Tom Hall (Ling), Josie Mills (Yan), Helen Watkinson (Mrs D), David Eaton (Mr D)
Directed by Stacey Norris
Sky Blue Theatre Company
Lost Theatre
London
April 7, 2017
Cast: Tom Hall (Ling), Josie Mills (Yan), Helen Watkinson (Mrs D), David Eaton (Mr D)
Directed by Stacey Norris
Josie Mills (Yan) & Tom Hall (Ling)
Helen Watkinson (Mrs D), David Eaton (Mr D), Josie Mills (Yan) & Tom Hall (Ling)
Play Time
Second Sons Theatre Company
Theatre N16
London
September 2, 2016
Cast: Alex Knott (Ling), Samantha Van Dyk (Yan), James Watkins (Mr D), Milly Dunk (Mrs D)
Directed by Samson Hawkins
Second Sons Theatre Company
Theatre N16
London
September 2, 2016
Cast: Alex Knott (Ling), Samantha Van Dyk (Yan), James Watkins (Mr D), Milly Dunk (Mrs D)
Directed by Samson Hawkins
Alex Knott (Ling), Samantha Van Dyk (Yan)
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Samantha Van Dyk (Yan), Alex Knott (Ling)
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Take Ten Festival 2016
Between Us Productions
13th Street Repertory Theatre
New York, NY
April 27, 29 & 30, 2016
Cast: Roger Dale Stude (Ling), Julie Baber (Yan), Patrick Harman (Mr D), Morgan Patton (Mrs D)
Directed by Susane Lee
Between Us Productions
13th Street Repertory Theatre
New York, NY
April 27, 29 & 30, 2016
Cast: Roger Dale Stude (Ling), Julie Baber (Yan), Patrick Harman (Mr D), Morgan Patton (Mrs D)
Directed by Susane Lee
Roger Dale Stude (Ling), Morgan Patton (Mrs D), Patrick Harman (Mr D) & Julie Baber (Yan) in Threatened Panda Fights Back, New York
Julie Baber (Yan) & Roger Dale Stude (Ling) rehearsing
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Morgan Patton (Mrs D) & Patrick Harman (Mr D)
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Patrick Harman (Mr D), Morgan Patton (Mrs D), Julie Baber (Yan), Roger Dale Stude (Ling)
(Staged reading)
Saving Endangered Species International Playwriting Prize
Odyssey Theatre Ensemble
Los Angeles, California
April 4, 2016
Cast: Mark Anthony Williams (Ling), Sonia Jackson (Yan), Andre Mathieu (Mr D), Anita Borcia (Mrs D)
Directed by Michele Spears
Saving Endangered Species International Playwriting Prize
Odyssey Theatre Ensemble
Los Angeles, California
April 4, 2016
Cast: Mark Anthony Williams (Ling), Sonia Jackson (Yan), Andre Mathieu (Mr D), Anita Borcia (Mrs D)
Directed by Michele Spears
Mark Anthony Williams (Ling)
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Sonia Jackson (Yan)
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Andre Mathieu (Mr D)
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Anita Borcia (Mrs D)
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10-Minute Play Festival
Cutler Bay Community Theater
Artistic Vibes
Miami, Florida
March 18-19, 2016
Cast: John Eubanks (Ling), Pam St. John (Yan), J.J. Greenstein (Mr D), Melissa Billings (Mrs D)
Directed by Maggie Eubanks
Cutler Bay Community Theater
Artistic Vibes
Miami, Florida
March 18-19, 2016
Cast: John Eubanks (Ling), Pam St. John (Yan), J.J. Greenstein (Mr D), Melissa Billings (Mrs D)
Directed by Maggie Eubanks
Pam St. John (Yan), John Eubanks (Ling)
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John Eubanks (Ling), Pam St. John (Yan)
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John Eubanks (Ling), Melissa Billings (Mrs D). Back: J.J. Greenstein (Mr D), Pam St. John (Yan)
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Melissa Billings (Mrs D), J.J. Greenstein (Mr D)
Melissa Billings (Mrs D), J.J. Greenstein (Mr D)
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John Eubanks (Ling)
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Pam St. John (Yan)
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John Eubanks (Ling)
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J.J. Greenstein (Mr D), Melissa Billings (Mrs D)
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8 Tens @ 8 Festival
Actors' Theatre
Santa Cruz, California
January 8 - February 7, 2016
Cast: Chad Davies (Ling), Karin Babbitt (Yan), Anita Natale (Mrs D), and Jim Schultz (Mr D)
Directed by Helene Simkin Jara
Actors' Theatre
Santa Cruz, California
January 8 - February 7, 2016
Cast: Chad Davies (Ling), Karin Babbitt (Yan), Anita Natale (Mrs D), and Jim Schultz (Mr D)
Directed by Helene Simkin Jara
Karin Babbitt (Yan), Chad Davies (Ling), Anita Natale (Mrs D), and Jim Schultz (Mr D)
10-Minute Play Festival
TheatriVasles
Salle du Théâtre
Vasles, France
October 16-17, 2015
Cast: Alan Peel (Ling), Lynn Vaux (Yan), Debbie Adamson (Mrs D), Jim Luff (Mr D)
Directed by Tim Fitzgerald
TheatriVasles
Salle du Théâtre
Vasles, France
October 16-17, 2015
Cast: Alan Peel (Ling), Lynn Vaux (Yan), Debbie Adamson (Mrs D), Jim Luff (Mr D)
Directed by Tim Fitzgerald
Debbie Adamson (Mrs D) & Jim Luff (Mr D)
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Alan Peel (Ling) & Lynn Vaux (Yan)
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Short+Sweet Theatre
TAPAC (The Auckland Performing Arts Centre)
Auckland, New Zealand
September 8-12 & 20, 2015
Cast: Mustaq Missouri (Ling), Irasa Siave (Yan), Georgina Silk (Mrs D), Tom Wardle (Mr D)
Directed by Katie Burson
TAPAC (The Auckland Performing Arts Centre)
Auckland, New Zealand
September 8-12 & 20, 2015
Cast: Mustaq Missouri (Ling), Irasa Siave (Yan), Georgina Silk (Mrs D), Tom Wardle (Mr D)
Directed by Katie Burson
Mustaq Missouri (Ling) and Irasa Siave (Yan). Shovik Nandi Photography
Tom Wardle (Mr D), Georgina Silk (Mrs D), Mustaq Missouri (Ling) and Irasa Siave (Yan)
Mustaq Missouri (Ling), Tom Wardle (Mr D), Georgina Silk (Mrs D) and Irasa Siave (Yan)
Review
"Before a word of Threatened Panda Fights Back! is spoken, the audience is laughing loudly, and it continues throughout this play. It's due to an hilarious scenario created by Auckland playwright Rex McGregor, and assisted by great direction from Katie Burson. The four actors (Mustaq Missouri, Georgina Silk, Siave Irasa, Tom Wardle) are all very good, but there's no doubt the show is stolen by Mustaq Missouri's Panda. What a dilemma he must resolve: as the face of the World Wildlife Fund's Endangered Species programme, breeding would threaten his position. On the other hand…" - Bronwyn Elsmore, Theatreview
Review
"If you do catch this week’s show, it is worth it for Threatened Panda Fights Back! Written by Short+Sweet veteran Rex McGregor (is there any year that he has missed?), director Katie Burson employs her clowning nous for an imaginative piece about a Panda threatened, not by extinction, but the new hot thing in animal conversation. Mustaq Missouri’s Panda is full of his own self-importance, a rock star and poster boy for WWF. His mate (Irasa Siave) tries many tactics to pique his sexual interest, but he stubbornly refuses: too many Pandas, and they’ll lose what makes them special. His thinking is challenged when very special birds Mr D (Tom Wardle) and Mrs D (Georgina Silk) appear on the scene and lay claim to the enclosure. It’s a great idea, great script, and made vibrant by the cast’s playful and physically astute performances. I’d love to see this enlarged and for Katie Burson to keep an entire zoo." - James Wenley, Theatre Scenes
Review
"Rex McGregor's crowd-favourite Threatened Panda Fights Back, a laugh-out-loud exercise in anthropomorphic absurdity directed by Katie Burson." - Nik Smythe, Theatreview
Studio Players' 10-Minute Play Festival
Carriage House Theatre
Lexington, Kentucky
July 31-August 2 & August 7-9, 2015
Cast: Kody Kiser (Ling), Sherry Jackson Thompson (Yan), Mike Van Zant (Mr D), Shannon Baker (Mrs D)
Directed by Marty Wayman
Carriage House Theatre
Lexington, Kentucky
July 31-August 2 & August 7-9, 2015
Cast: Kody Kiser (Ling), Sherry Jackson Thompson (Yan), Mike Van Zant (Mr D), Shannon Baker (Mrs D)
Directed by Marty Wayman
Kody Kiser (Ling) and Sherry Jackson Thompson (Yan)
Review 
Mike Van Zant (Mr D), Shannon Baker (Mrs D), Sherry Jackson Thompson (Yan), Kody Kiser (Ling)
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Kody Kiser (Ling)
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Sherry Jackson Thompson (Yan)
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Shannon Baker (Mrs D)
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Mike Van Zant (Mr D)
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Short+Sweet Brisbane 2015
Powerhouse
Brisbane, Australia
July 16-18, 2015
Cast: Trevor Vanstone (Ling), Cherie Moss (Yan), Tammy Linde (Mrs D), Daniel Simpson (Mr D)
Directed Kate Murphy
Powerhouse
Brisbane, Australia
July 16-18, 2015
Cast: Trevor Vanstone (Ling), Cherie Moss (Yan), Tammy Linde (Mrs D), Daniel Simpson (Mr D)
Directed Kate Murphy
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Trevor Vanstone (Ling), Daniel Simpson (Mr D), Cherie Moss (Yan), Tammy Linde (Mrs D)
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Trevor Vanstone (Ling) & Cherie Moss (Yan)
Trevor Vanstone (Ling) & Cherie Moss (Yan)
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Cherie Moss (Yan) & Trevor Vanstone (Ling)
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Daniel Simpson, Tammy Linde, Trevor Vanstone, Cherie Moss
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Tammy Linde (Mrs D) with Trevor Vanstone (Ling)
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King's Shorts Festival of 10-Minute Plays
Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia, Canada June 12-14, 2015 Cast: Wayne Currie (Ling), Susan Barker (Yan), Ashlea Viola (Mrs D), Jacob Morrison (Mr D) Directed by Jeff Styles |
Wayne Currie (Ling) & Susan Barker (Yan)
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Ashlea Viola (Mrs D) & Jacob Morrison (Mr D)
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