Green, which is written and directed by Meg Schadler, is an intelligent fictional exposé on the twisted realities of being famous and the price one must pay to achieve success. Described as a play with music, Green follows Jude (Jack Hesketh) and Zoe (Noa Nikitha Bleeker) as they embark on tour, delving into the complexities of being an individual inside a larger framework. Green perfectly balances the exterior and interior pressures that tugs at each of the characters, creating a vivid and intriguing plot that leaves audiences wanting more.
Jude, a nervous first time opener, struggles with a sharp sense of imposter syndrome. Zoe, the headlining artist's girlfriend, feels the staggering weight placed on her shoulders as a "talentless" girlfriend and nepo baby. Oh, and both Jude and Zoe are hooking up with Ben, the headlining artist.
Despite the three characters stuck in a limbo, audiences never actually meet Ben, gaining knowledge through Zoe and Jude's conversations. As true feelings, PR stunts, the ever changing music scene, imposter syndrome, a need to prove oneself, messy artist management and deals with the devil come to light, Jude and Zoe find themselves embroiled in a toxic environment as they try to stay afloat.
The play's name Green, comes from the various green rooms that the two characters spend the majority of the play in. The relationship between the two characters changes constantly, with every new scene in a different green room on tour, creates a tension that sweeps audiences onto the emotional rollercoaster with the characters. Both characters are flawed, with Jude slowly allowing his personal life to defile his professional life, and Zoe trying to outplay a game that she's been thrust into. Having been told to always protect her reputation, Zoe is ruthless in her approach to protect it, especially with Jude's growing unpredictable behaviour. The friendship between the characters feels fragile at moments, as the ground shifts from under them, and with each decision negatively impacting the other.
Schadler has created an insightful peephole into the mechanics behind the people in the music industry, and it's the lack of humanity behind these gorgeous songs and lyrics that really sways the play. By dropping Zoe and Jude into this harsh world, Schadler squeezes out every ounce of emotion and desperation from the characters, resulting in more explosive and rebellious plot twists. Although only an hour, Green feels armed with enough quality content to power a TV series, yet never overloads the play, making sure to always toe the line.
The play tackles the two storylines well, placing the Ben-Zoe-Jude triangle in the foreground, yet allowing the rigid rules of the industry to claim these relationships as public property. Schadler effortlessly further ensures that the characters feel alive and three dimensional, with their own hidden insecurities threatening the already crumbling relationships further. The writing flows neatly, taking complex issues and terms, and presenting them as easy to follow facts.
Bleeker and Hesketh are both excellent. Bleeker's "no nonsense", cool and blunt character is neatly paired with the gentle, romantic and nervous Hesketh, making every scene a fascinating conversation. Hesketh brings a wonderfully earnest performance, slowly building his confidence whilst always remaining emotionally vulnerable and open. His soulful voice and guitar playing skills, along with his ability to bleed emotions into the songs, is a quiet but powerful addition. Bleeker, on the other hand, ploughs through the play like a sledgehammer, yet maintains the necessary finesse during more honest and intimate moments. The vast contrast between the impenetrable cool persona, and the shattered broken hearted child, makes Zoe such a compelling character. Thankfully writer Schadler recognises this, slowly letting Zoe's plot take up more stage time in the last third of the play.
The play features small snippets of songs, often played by Jude. Original songs are composed by Stamatis Seraphim, with lyrics by Schadler. Seraphim and Schadler may need to consider a continued collaboration, for the songs feels polished and professional, made even more obvious by Hesketh's graceful renditions.
The set is relatively simple, with a worn yet comfortable sofa, a keyboard and a drinks table; conveying the less than glamorous moments behind the scenes even on a famous tour. Production Assistant Anna Willmoth assists with the many quick changes that Bleeker rushes through during the many scene transitions. Josh Overton, Cam Pike and Jacques further assist as Assistant Director, Sound and Lighting Designers and Tech for the run.
Green is a strong piece that starts to tear away at the shine and sparkle of being a star, placing an emotional dilemma and high stakes at its core. The show achieves a high standard in this production, yet with a longer run time and expanded script, would achieve more success.
★★★★★ (5*)
Gifted tickets in return for an honest review
Comments