It’s clear Kiwi actors working as extras on an American film shoot have more time on the hands than is good for them…   

A fairly shallow story about three shameless, ruthless, hapless young louts and their unending rivalry to get the girl, the line, the good hat, Green Room’s charm is in the droll performances of the protagonists as they feverishly undertake their self-serving agendas. There are a few clever twists, some not unpredictable but still satisfying in a way.

The action goes down (mainly) in the green room of a locally produced international film. Three plucky lads, just extras in the project at this stage, hustle and scheme to milk this would-be Hollywood scene for all it’s worth…

As original devisors of the piece, Ryan Richards and Nic Sampson’s characters’ names are the same as their own, implying a similar autobiographical absurdism to that which Tom Sainsbury brought to last November’s My London Sojourn. Byron Coll’s role retains the nomenclature of the third creator Ashley Jones, the more lovable that is to say, least detestable fellow in the trio.

Nic and Ryan have their own reasons for believing themselves the more important – Self-proclaimed ‘Mr. Sensitive’ Ryan has played numerous musical theatre leads, and I’m definitely not spoiling anything in revealing that overbearing egoist Nic was a core cast Power Ranger; therefore an alleged celebrity. Ash has no such claims to fame or aspiration to unmitigated greatness – he just wants to buzz out to Nic’s trippy electronic iPod music.

One ambition he does share with the lads is making quality time with the pretty make-up girl Emma, admirably performed ostensibly by a platinum blonde string-headed mop. They’re also keen for any interaction they can score with the film’s lead actor, an Oscar winner named Grant Rushmore, who has the clout to make their careers, or break them. 

The one other character to appear in the play is the cast driver Bruce, perhaps the most well-rounded because he’s played intermittently by all three cast members. I particularly enjoy the way the cast plays up the role-switching with Bruce, going so far as to mime the car doors and seat belts as they swap around. Pointless genius! 

If you’re after a good amoral, escapist laugh, especially if you’re involved the industry yourself, you might find the catharsis you’re looking for in Green Room.
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Three actors in a room … they are waiting … waiting for something … But what? A chance to shine! To perform in the next big American film being made right here in the land of the long white cloud.

Ryan Richards, Nic Sampson and Ash Jones play themselves in this fantastic low budget display of comic talent. The play is about boredom and what we do to fill it; about ego and competition; about cruelty; about our inner most fears …

It is coming this summer (well for three nights only actually, ends Saturday) to a theatre near you (Cross Street Studios only to be precise). Green Room starring Nic the ‘seasoned pro’, Ryan the ‘dandy boy’ (both self-proclaimed players) and Ash  the ‘innocent’.

The guys spend their time in the green room waiting to get on set and it’s made clear that in film it’s common to be waiting for days on end to perform for but a few minutes. These boys spend their time trying to uphold their egos in the face of frequent belittlings and rejections both at the hands of their ‘staunch as’ Yankee driver, Emma their make up lady and, of course, each other. 

The way they these characters interact is just a joy to watch. They are brave and open and they really let you in … The Cross Street space is so intimate and one gets the sense these guys have had a fair degree of on screen experience, both in their performances and in all the industry-savvy in-jokery which (on opening night) is certainly not lost on the audience. Although I don’t recognise anybody, I get the feeling I’m amongst some pretty lofty company.

I also love the direction of Peter Feeney. The way everything flows is just great; the comic moments are subtle and they really draw me in. However the show does feel a little longer than it really is (running time 1 hour). Some of the devices used are too repetitive and at times the change in story direction is a little contrived.

It has a devised sense about it. Nothing wrong with that but it makes me think that Ash, the straight man, is a little under utilised. I am guessing it’s hard to actively improv a passive character; I’d like to see him involved a bit more.

In conclusion this show is really fun and reminds me of Ricky Gervais’ Extras. I highly recommend it!
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