Outside Edge - performed June 2010
By Richard Harris Performed with the kind permission of Samuel French Director - Kerry King According to playwright Richard Harris, Outside Edge is not a play about cricket, but a play about people. It was first performed in 1979 but 40 years later at every weekend in the cricket season, in various villages and towns around the country, playing cricket will always involve much more than willow hitting leather! For those of you who play cricket I am sure you might have met similar characters and for those of you who are not cricket fans then you would, I am sure have come across one or two of these people at some time in your life! The actors, or course, receive the applause but the hard work and time that goes into a production is given by the crew who do not get the applause they deserve. Without their talent, dedication and time it would be impossible to put on a production and I would like to personally thank them for their invaluable help in creating "Outside Edge". Theatre is about being entertained whether this be thought provoking drama, music to leave you humming familiar or even unfamiliar melodies or comedy to lift your spirit. I hope that you leave the Manifest Theatre this evening with a thought or two and an uplifted spirit and, that you will return for our next production. Thank-you for supporting the theatre and have a safe journey home. Kerry King Cast (in order of appearance) Miriam Rosamund Pettett Roger John Roberts Bob Adam Duarte-Dias Dennis Alan Wheeler Maggie Amanda Rowe Kevin Nigel Rowe Ginnie Annie Simcox Alex Paul Reed Sharon Robin Morris-Denholm
Production Team Kerry King, Derek Butcher, Bruce Emeny, Andy Terry, Daniel Humphries, Gloria Streames, Caroline Roberts, John Roberts, June Wheeler, Chris Sadd, Gordon Prior, Patience Ling, Viv Wheatley, Yvonne Cobbold, Steve Sadler and other volunteers not mentioned. Awards & Nominations The Play The action deals with a chaotic Saturday, when a cricket club's obsessive captain, Roger, is trying to get his team together to play against the fearsome British Railways Maintenance Division Beading East - at least five of whom are "genuine West Indians". His problems are complicated by the personal lives of his team members, their wives, ex-wives, girlfriend, and a roller which needs greasing. Reviews Audiences have been bowled over by this, the latest production from the Manifest Theatre Group. outside Edge, superbly written by Richard Harris, has been playing to packed houses at Manningtree's Manifest Theatre, and had everyone laughing from start to finish. The action revolves around a village cricket team whose obsessive captain enjoys his authority, while his put-upon wife makes the teas and, with a little help, ensures everything runs as smoothly as it should, despite the complicated lives of the team members and their respective partners. But really, it is a play about relationships, and anyone who has played a team sport, not just cricket, will have recognised the characters. I was a little unsure as to how this would turn out. Several years ago, the play was made into two highly successful TV series, one of my favourites, and starred top performers Timothy Spall, Josie Lawrence, Robert Daws and Brenda Blethyn. How would the Manifest match up? I need not have worried. The nine-strong cast, under the direction of Kerry King, who also produced, proved a strong batting line-up, and while it is perhaps unfair to single anyone out, Rosamund Pettett, on stage for moist of the two-hour performance, was outstanding. She put so much energy into the part of the wife, Miriam, moving quickly around the stage, and must surely deserve a rest at the end of the week. Lesley Pallett Photo Shoot (click on an image below to view a larger photo - arrow keys navigate through the set) Production Index