Inventive writing and excellent ensemble acting are the bedrocks for success for the third instalment of the Adelaide Short Play Festival.

Under the direction of primary writer and director Scott Russell Hill, an enthusiastic young cast, along with a few experienced hands, present eight short plays around the complex slings and arrows of life.

Topics cover sex and death, grief and forgiveness, bullying and toxic masculinity and the pain of loss but there is plenty of humour thrown in to balance the serious elements.

Each cast member has an opportunity to shine and to show their range.

Consummate performers include Jason Sardinha, a natural born comic, Allisa Stapleton, bringing light and shade to each role, Jason Ronson, with terrific stage presence, and Lachlan Bosland who rips out your heart in Star Stuff.

New additions to the program this year include the titillating skit A Little Bit Naughty and the hilarious and witty sketch Worst Break-ups Of All Time.

The excellent Stage Two at the Parks Community Centre is an apt space to best present this talented collective.