The love of storytelling, bringing characters to life, and engaging people with New Zealand’s history keeps Chris Green going.
A professional actor and singer since throwing in his ‘safe’ career as an economics teacher in 2013, Chris has performed 100s of shows but keeps coming back to his first professional show, Coaltown Blues by Mervyn Thompson.
“At its essence, it really illuminates the impact of poverty on children,” says Chris,
“But it’s based on real people, so it really helps people understand our country’s mining history, small-town New Zealand and even sometimes their own family history.”
Based on a real story, the show depicts both the tragedy and comedy of poverty and politics; the struggles throughout Thompson’s childhood in a West Coast mining town during the Depression, War and post-War years.
It is both a lively and comical celebration and a heart-wrenching lament for the working class roots from which he came.
Chris says he came upon the play “by accident”, but once he started reading the script he couldn’t put it down.
“It wasn’t long after the Pike River tragedy and it just really spoke to me.”
Featuring a ‘cast’ of 24 characters, Chris says it’s enthralling getting to be 24 different people, all seen through the unflagging optimism of the young boy.
He’s toured the show around the country on numerous occasions, but now it’s Wakefield’s turn.
President of Wakefield Country Players Jen Amosa says that they’re really excited to be able to host the show.
“I’m pretty excited about a touring show coming to Wakefield,” she says. “It’s the first one we’ve had here in about 15 years.”
The Wakefield Village Hall typically hosts two to three local productions each year, introducing a BYO picnic style of dinner theatre.
“It makes it really affordable and accessible to people,” says Jen.
“They can buy food from the food trucks on Thursday or at one of our local takeaways or bring their own.
“I’ve seen some quite exquisite picnics over the years,” she says.
Coaltown Blues is on at the Wakefield Village Hall, 16 - 18 March at 7.30pm with a matinee show on Sunday 19 March at 2pm.
Written by Judene Edgar
