Coaltown Blues is a moving and entertaining account of a young boy's early years in a small West Coast mining town. The intimacy of The Wanganui Repertory Theatre provides the perfect atmosphere for Chris Green to open his season of this acclaimed revival of Mervyn Thompson's play.
Mervyn Thompson is one
of New Zealand's most significant playwrights. Many associate his name mainly with controversy - in 1984 he was was left tied to a tree in an Auckland park wearing a sign labelling him a rapist. However, Chris believes this one-man musical drama is an important New Zealand work which now needs to be seen. In 2013, Wellington audiences and critics agreed. "One-man play a Kiwi classic," stated the Dominion Post. "Entertainingly insightful and timely revival," read the Theatreview headline for the BATS Theatre performance. Provincial and rural theatre goers have responded in kind. In his Picton season, in 2014, Chris was thrilled to receive validation from Mervyn Thompson's sister Mary after she saw his portrayal of her family life. In Palmerston North from Theatreview: "This is a tour de force performance by Chris Green, who succeeds masterfully throughout the play. Green fits the part he is playing perfectly: he is a talented performer with a warm and engaging presence, a gift for capturing the key elements of character in voice and stance, and a fine, rich baritone voice. These things make it a pleasure to spend an hour and a half in his company." Green has been invited to take the revival to The Edinburgh Festival.
Coaltown Blues depicts both the tragedy and comedy of poverty and politics, struggles throughout Thompson's childhood in a West Coast mining town. It is a lively and comical celebration and a wrenching lament for the working class roots from which he sprang. Coaltown Blues resonates for audiences who relate to the experiences and to today's audiences, as child poverty, and resilience of life in mining towns again fill our news screens.
Chris has been touring the show on and off for the past three years but is full-time touring again. He's been busking at the markets on Saturday, getting to know the locals.
Coaltown Blues Sunday, January 22 at 2pm, Friday, January 27 at 7.30pm at The Wanganui Repertory Theatre, Ridgway St.
Tickets, $25 each. Bookings at the Royal Wanganui Opera House ph. 06 349 0511
Chris Green is bringing Coaltown Blues to Repertory Theatre.
Coaltown Blues is a moving and entertaining account of a young boy's early years in a small West Coast mining town. The intimacy of The Wanganui Repertory Theatre provides the perfect atmosphere for Chris Green to open his season of this acclaimed revival of Mervyn Thompson's play.
Mervyn Thompson is one
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