Outside Edge

It is over twenty five years since ‘Outside Edge’ was first produced and over twenty years since the television production but it has stood the test of time and could be as relevant today.

The well-constructed set of a cricket pavilion, together with attention to detail with the props, helped us to imagine a summer’s day ready for the club’s next game of cricket. As the story unfolds, the club’s obsessive captain, Roger (Nick Smith) is trying to get his team together for their current match. His problems are nothing compared to his team members, their wives, ex-wives and girlfriends. Roger’s wife Miriam, superbly played by Emmie Rhodes, was in charge of the teas. Her anguished body language spoke volumes but then her reaction when she found out about Roger’s ‘dalliance’ in Dorking was a good example of the worm turning then turning back again.

Bob was a character that could have been overplayed but John Walker had this just right. We thought he was having an affair but it turned out that he was seeing his ex-wife. It did eventually turn out all right with his current wife Ginnie. Adriana Capadose managed to capture the vulnerability and sometimes acid tongue this part required.

Dennis (Neil Harris) gave good characterisation of a failed carpet salesman thinking he is ‘God’s gift to women’ with his sleazy behaviour. He treats his wife (who we don’t see) with disdain but she gets retribution when she sets fire to his beloved BMW.

Our next couple were Kevin (James Klech) and Maggie (Vivienne Pattison). He did the cooking and she was the DIY enthusiast. These two were well cast and superb at comedic nuances, a delight to watch.

Last but not least was Alex, an arrogant young solicitor, played with precision by Patrick Moss. He had brought along his socially shy girlfriend Sharon. This was an outstanding performance by Sophie Muggeridge showing her comedy ability with her antics when desperate to get to the Ladies.

This play was a comedy of delight with one-liners and exploiting the foibles that Richard Harris wrote into all of his characters. While the first act was introducing us to the characters, the increased pace of the second act was well directed by Jean Erxleben. 

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