A TINY Irish village is changed forever when it becomes the location for a major Hollywood film in this superb, award-winning comedy.

Extras are needed from the local community and although the County Kerry folk clash with the shallow, image-obsessed cast and crew, they persevere to earn 40 quid a day. Just two actors - Martin Jenkins and Christopher Patrick Nolan - play the 15 or so extraordinary characters in this play, switching seamlessly between extremely diverse personalities and bringing each to life with hilarious results.

With a pursing of the lips and flirtatious wiggle, the overpowering, bossy director Simon becomes Caroline the smouldering sex kitten and star of the film. Equally, the downtrodden, down-to-earth Jake transforms with a twirl into Ashling - the affected, flighty production assistant with a hugely embarrassing crush on the director.

In part, this clever comedy is a Notting Hill-style parody as the beautiful diva falls for the bemused local lad, but it also pulls apart the shallow nature of Hollywood, showing the studio to be uncaring about the community and blas about authenticity.

Will the crew ever get the final scene in the can? Can the village ever recover? The film stars take a supporting role while the extras emerge to be the real stars in this excellent production.

* Runs until Saturday. Box Office: 0191-332 4041.

Published: 05/05/2005