Operation Greenfield is the story of four secondary school students in the very quiet English backwater of Stokely. Slowly but surely their two person funk band evolves into a fully fledged Christian-folk group, driven by desire to win a local talent competition. In a brilliant comedy of great characters that have perfected social awkwardness, the band members bumble on a journey of self-discovery. The characters deal with their increasing sexuality, band practice and exams with an uneasiness and innocence, encountering a world outside the comfort zone of their favourite past-time, going to church.The cast has absolutely polished the characters of this show to deliver a brilliant work of comedy. The work exudes what I can only describe as the social awkwardness of the Anglican-church. Its not like every person is shy as they have excesses of confidence around each other, but they have an utterly unique way of expressing themselves. It may not be for everyone and can be viewed as something very much in the taste of Napoleon Dynamite or The Inbetweeners. On the night I went the audience was simply blown away. They were all very young and in such hysterics that it assisted the unbelievable energy of the show. The cast used their multi instrumental talents to make the band a reality onstage, starting with the funky town sound at the start to a honed avant-garde performance of the Annunciation which they take to the competition. This play exudes the influence and energy of the happy-go-lucky Christianity, which you may like or dislike but will still be able to laugh along to regardless. My one fear was that the show may have been serious on occasions about carrying a Christian subtext. This was probably unfounded and probably came about as a result of me being swept away by the simply fantastic performances, with comedy that will make you weep and live music that will transport you.
