Green Grass is set in a block of flats. Much of the first act takes place in darkness. The set features a tree pushing in through a window, and another tower block nearby. The play's theme is not so unusual - urban living and the pressures of life. Two couples feature. One is upwardly mobile, the other on a downward spiral. In the first part, they're seen apart. After the interval, they all have dinner together.

The upwardly-mobile-couple-wife is scared of the dark; the husband tries to be reassuring. They have a lively talk over a range of topics. The weird ones upstairs have a similarly disjointed discussion - quite fun to listen to. The conversations are fairly sharp and entertaining, but go nowhere. Writer Andrew Muir may be saying that urban living has its pressures; not too many surprises there. Or that people are competitive - not too radical a concept. Or that some people are odd - clearly, but there has to be something else other than putting them on display.

Green Grass lurches from kitchen sink comedy to urban despair, stopping at most stations along the way. Unfortunately, it's difficult to sympathise with any of the characters. There's some nice dialogue, some funny moments, some good performances. But the script is patchy and threadbare, and there are no insights.

Cast Credits: (alpha order): Olivia Darnley - Anna. Ian Groombridge - John. Gillian McCafferty - Claire. Andrew Obenay - Hugh.

Company Credits: Writer - Andrew Muir. Director - Ben De Wynter. Designer - Holly Best. Light Designer - Steve Miller. Technical Operator - uncredited. Stage Manager - Sorrell Moore. Producer - uncredited. Company - Slipstream Productions. Website - www.slipstreamproductions.webeden.co.uk/. Union Theatre: Artistic Director - Sasha Regan.

END

(c) Michael Spring 2009

reviewed Thursday 12 March 2009 / Union Theatre, London

Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012

www.fringereport.com