Written By
Richard Harris
Where and When
19th – 22nd May 2004 @ The Tivoli Theatre, Wimborne
The Plot
A comedy set in a cricket pavilion. Do Roger and Miriam really have the perfect marriage? Does Ginnie really have a cold? And will little Kev persuade big Maggie to leave the bricklaying and watch him play for once? Roger has troubles enough in assembling his team, but they pall before those amongst the wives and girlfriends.
Cast
- Roger – Dave Williams
- Miriam – Jan Bursby
- Bob – Mark Ellen
- Dennis – Gerry Carroll
- Kevin – Stuart Glossop
- Maggie – Yvonne Henley
- Ginnie – Boo Feltham
- Alex – Colin Pile
- Sharon – Vicki Ballard
Creative Team
- Director – Michael Dishington
- Set Designers – Jackson Ellen and Mark Ellen
- Set Construction – Mark Ellen and Members of the Company
- Wardrobe – Carolyn Hewitt
- Properties – Caroline Uwins and Jan Singfield
- Sound Design – Jackson Ellen and Mark Ellen
- ASMs – Jan Stevenson, Laura Thomas and Mez tyson-Brown
For the Tivoli Theatre
- Production Manager – Russell Parker
- Stage Manager – Ashley Thorne
- Deputy Stage Manager – Steve Charters
- Lighting and Sound – Don Sherry
Preview
No moving the bowler’s arm please as award-winning Wimborne Drama takes to the crease to bring you Richard Harris’ very British summer comedy Outside Edge, which opens at The Tivoli Theatre, Wimborne on Wednesday.
Set in a cricket pavilion before and during a key match, this funny play focuses on our national pastime – no, not cricket, sexual relationships.
Bob is facing hostile deliveries from his wife and ex, Alex has bowled another maiden over – but she’s having hysterics in the loo. Dennis is trapped leg before wicket by his wife who sets fire to his car on the boundary, while Kevin is caught in the covers by the capacious Maggie – and even team captain Roger is on a sticky wicket when his long-suffering wife Miriam bowls him a googly from Dorking.
The play was memorably produced on television starring Paul Eddington, Prunella Scales and Maureen Lipman and subsequently spawned a TV series with Brenda Blethyn, Robert Daws, Josie Lawrence and Tim Spall.
Wimborne Drama’s production is directed by Michael Dishington, who, as well as having wide experience of amateur theatre, also happens to be fixtures secretary at Bournemouth Cricket Club. However as Michael explains, no knowledge of cricket is necessary to enjoy this play.
“Even if you dont know your long leg from your silly point, this wont spoil your enjoyment of this six-hitting comedy” says Michael. “But at the same time, anyone who has been involved with local league cricket will recognise many of the characters and situations so skillfully brought to life by Richard Harris”.
The cast is led by Dave Williams (Roger) and Jan Bursby (Miriam). Also appearing are Mark Ellen, Getty Carroll, Stuart Glossop, Yvonne Henley, Boo Feltham, Colin Pile and Vicki Ballard.
Gallery
Reviews
Cricket play not pitched to right level
Richard Harris’ cricketing comedy has been memorably performed on television on more than one occasion, inevitably creating the problem that the audience has pre-conceived ideas of excatly how they expect the characters to be. Unfortunately, of course, amateur companies do not always have the luxury of choice when casting roles and consequently some of the performances in this production simply did not project the right characterisations. There were also times when the on-stage action, which needs to be fast and furious to be most effective, almost ground to a halt so the plot’s rising tensions failed to materialise and much of the humour was lost.
However, some of the cast did manage to score impressive runs and Jan Bursby, in particular, was excellent as Miriam, the long-suffering wife of team captain Roger (Dave Williams). Mark Ellen too made a strong impression as the recently divorced and remarried Bob, while the volatile relationship between Maggie and Kevin was beautifully conveyed by Yvonne Henley and Stuart Glossop and brought many of the evening’s laughs.
But overall despite Wimbore Drama’s excellent reputation, this was a production that missed its mark by rather a long chalk I think.
Programme
