one4review | On 04, Aug 2023

We wait for the show to begin with Kermit’s ‘It’s not easy being green,’ setting the mood for the show that follows. Green Fingers, as told by Flo and Adam (Fladam). Is about a small boy from the quaint village of Tillage, Green Fingers stands out, quite literally, thanks to his unusually coloured digits.

Our titular character is played through puppetry, with all other characters performed by either Flo or Adam. We accompany Green Fingers to his new school, Wood Burn Academy, and meet Penny, his energetic classmate, Miss Budd, his mathematics teacher, and our antagonist Milton Marigold, the cleanliness-obsessed headmaster. Keep an eye out for the clever plant references sprinkled throughout; I rather enjoyed spotting them as some were quite subtle.

Our hero embarks on a journey of self-discovery, where with some assistance from his new friends, learns that although it may not be easy being green it’s best to be brave, bold, brilliant, and above all, yourself.

The performance balances character portrayals with musical numbers, both handled commendably by Fladam. Some songs are delightful, even capable of holding their own on a larger stage, while others didn’t have the same energy, leading to uneven pacing. Notably, the headmaster’s introduction song was such a standout that the following numbers struggled to match up.

A few aspects felt out of place, like Flo’s constant eye-crossing during ‘funny’ faces or an awkward homeschooling joke that didn’t quite gel with the overall tone of the show.

Yet, despite these minor hiccups this is an easy crowd-pleaser for a young audience already fans of Wicked, Frozen and the like. With some tweaks and finetuning, it has the potential to evolve into a larger, more polished show.

3.5***

Reviewed by Matthew
Pleasance Courtyard (Beside)
10.35 (50 mins)
Until 15 Aug (not 13)