Outside Edge

“Outside Edge” revisited 30 years on from the last time SDS performed this play, a “gem” from Richard Harris as the author in his very funny script set around a cricket match and is always a popular choice.

The plot revolves around Roger as Captain of  a cricket team and the match of the day with all it’s problems which he has to deal with.

Roger played by Joseph James reminded me so much in many ways of the late Richard Briers in sorting out all and everyone around him,He even whistled like Richard.Joseph has an easy manner on stage and was quite convincing in this role,his dialogue was fast and it was almost as if he was thinking ahead all the time at all the problems which he knew he had to face.

Belinda Hasler as his long suffering wife Miriam “Mim” was constantly busy coping with the refreshments and bustled about a great deal trying to help with all the events of the day.Totally involved with feeding the players also having all of the players personal problems to deal with this was a great character to play.

The other players of the team from Bob through to Dennis, Kevin and Alex were such different characters, it was as in real life a study in people’s lives with all its complexities.

Firstly Bob and Ginny played by Mark Jenner and Sonia Lindsey-Scripps both giving good performances, with all the tensions and issues in their relationship which was played out to a conclusion,then the pairing of Maggie and Kevin with Lucy Foster and Nick Elliott which was so good.

Maggie is such a fun character to play and Lucy did well together with her “little Kevin” constantly moving her spectacles,chewing gum, and never wasting a moment to embrace Kevin in her overlarge fur coat for a cuddle, which Kevin did not resist. I felt the audience reaction was rather subdued in showing their appreciation of the really amusing situations going on.Nick rather enjoyed all the attention he was getting, even though he played it down to his fellow cricketeers.

I liked Malcolm Hollister as Dennis- a real smooth operator with the women.-or so he thought! Dennis did a great job with his part and lost no time in chatting up all the ladies around.His missing wife received a real telling off on the telephone for all to hear but got her revenge at the end of the play in a very drastic measure.

In Act 11 the pace upped and was moved along with the cricket match in full swing which involved  Alex played by Matthew Byham sparring with Bob over the action on the field. Matthew fitted in really well as did his rather “dippy” girlfriend played by Sophie White who got rather upset with him, and eventually yet another sorting out was played out between the pair.

Well directed by Mark Scanlon, and a very well put together programme by Linda Dowdall. A good set and props, lighting and sound added  to the production.

I must admit now to playing Maggie in the 1986 production with Bryan Thurlow as “my little Kev” at the Quay which also had Richard Dunning, Mark Scanlon, Chrissie Cropper, Vanessa Tatum, Chris Childs and many others in the cast. We had great fun as I am sure did this cast in 2016.

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