Outside Edge

Marie Coltman Noda Rep SE13

Outside Edge - Ferndown Drama 

Barrington Arts Centre - Saturday 14th March

Director  - Steve Hawker

Ferndown Drama presents, Outside Edge, a play by Richard Harris, written in1979, and adapted for television in the 1990s.

The set is very good, with different levels for the actors to be in the Cricket Pavilion. There are benches marking the lower level where they sit to be outside, and there are central steps going into the audience making it feel like the playing field. 

Director Steve Hawker has a great cast for this play. You can tell there has been a lot of thought put into this production. The props are just right. 

Roger, is played by Jeremy and he is or believes he is the King of the Pavilion; he is the one that runs everything, sorting the team to play, sorting out small job for everyone to help, but mainly ends up doing it himself. His wife Miriam played by Kristy  is Queen of the teapot, she sorts the food, for the home & away teams, has to clean the place up asks for help from the other wives, but she too wants to rule the roost. She is on her husbands side and really helps him out all she can, but he is very overpowering, and clicks his fingers at her and orders her around. They both work really well together and are truly believable in their characters. 

A great fun couple are Maggie played by Dawn & Kevin played by Peter, from the moment they come on the audience are completely behind them, Kevin is slightly shorter than Maggie, she constantly mothers him, & although he trys to get away from her clutches, he secretly wants her to cuddle him especially when he hurts his finger and again when he gets knocked out of the match. She covers him up under her coat, this was very funny. They have some very funny scenes together. 

Bob played by Rob is good in his role. He's mainly always at the cricket but often backs out & let's the team down at the last minute. He's just received a phone call so makes an excuse up that his wife is ill & has to look after her. Ginnie played by Estelle then turns up at the cricket, she uses it as an excuse to get a suntan. She wonders where her husband is which sends everyone into panic as he's not there making excuses that he's gone to get something & will be back soon. Miriam is not impressed & wants to tell her as she thinks he's having an affair, he turns back up to play but is a bit drunk having been to a pub. 

George plays Dennis, he's a little bit pompus bragging about he's new car in the car park, he's a nice guy, he's a good all rounder & likes to help out, but he's definitely a flirt with the ladies. He is very strong in the role. Although you don't meet his wife, he's not nice to her on the phone, she gone to see a new house, but he's not wanting to move, & is quite nasty to her, she later takes her revenge by setting his car alite in the car park.

Alex played by Scott is very arrogant he's a great Cricketer but he too isn't nice to his girlfriend. He has brought various girls to watch him play in the past and this time it's Sharon who he meet the night before, Susy Davies takes the role, she spends most of her time sitting in the car as she's very shy and not sure how to mix with the others. She has great facial expressions and it's very funny when she comes back in the club house to use the loo.

Act 2 the stage and auditorium are used to create an impression of the cricket pavilion and an ongoing cricket match with the actors walking through the audience as though they are going off to play. The scores get changed as they score the runs.

This was a very good play, everyone is spot on with there characterisations. There are various arguments and make ups along the way, making this a great evenings entertainment. Well done to you all.

Marie Coltman Noda Rep SE13

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