Written by Richard Harris, by arrangement with Samuel French Ltd.
Directed by Pam Kercher
Roger (Ron Whitcher) was having trouble assembling his team to meet the mighty power of the British Rail Maintenance Division (Reading East) — but that was just about the last of his worries as his team fussed about wives, girlfriends and blistered fingers.
The cricket team was Roger's "baby" while Miriam (Dianne Nicholls), his long-suffering wife, put her heart and soul into preparing yet another tea-time feast.
Val Prior almost stole the show as Maggie, the overbearing wife of Kevin (Neil Higgins, a member of the village cricket club). Dressed in her fur coat and armed with her screwdriver to fix the ballcock in the pavilion toilets, she bulldozed her way through conversations with Miriam and "my little Kevin" — who spent his time fretting about his blistered bowling finger.
Tina Higgins, as Ginny, put in a good performance as Bob's (John Gregory) frustrated wife, while he tried to divide his time between Ginny, the cricket field and his ex-wife — not always doing so successfully.
Karin Withey proved that you do not have to have major role to make a mark. Playing the painfully shy Sharon, girlfriend of arrogant Alex (Nick Cooper, also a member of the Medstead cricket team), she showed no sign of nerves in her first play, while the audience warmed to Stan Whitcher's ageing Romeo, Dennis.
Despite a few fluffed lines due to first night nerves, the Medstead Players can add "Outside Edge" to their list of successes, although it was perhaps a little too long at more than two hours.
The Medstead Players raised the roof of the village hall on Saturday with a sporting performance of the Richard Harris's cricketing comedy, Outside Edge.
Despite the theft of their audio equipment just days before the curtain was due to go up, the show went on to reveal a wealth of talent both on stage and off.
Generally, the production flowed smoothly with the audience in fits of laughter as the lives of the characters unfolded. If this was an indication of what really goes on at Medstead matches, then next season's cricket should attract a lot more support — and not just for the game!
The strong cast featured Ron Whitcher as Roger and Dianne Nicholls as Miriam, holding centre stage with true professionalism, and Val Prior (Maggie) and Neil Higgins (little Kev) causing an uproar behind Maggie's "big" fur coat . . .
It was an extremely creditable debut for Neil and for young Karin Withey who, as shy Sharon, displayed a remarkably expressive talent which kept the audience in stitches.
Stage boyfriend, Nick Cooper (Alex) was making a welcome return after several years break from acting, supported by "new girl" (but only to the Medstead Players), Tina Higgins, who gave a very polished performance as the long suffering Ginny.
Completing the team were two other regulars, John Gregory, who played the role of the drunken Bob, with natural ease, and veteran, Stan Whitcher — the truly irrepressible Dennis.
Helped by an excellent backstage crew, they provided a thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining evening's performance — a credit to producer/director, Pam Kercher, and a hearty boost to both the financial and, one would suspect, the popularity ratings of the Medstead Cricket Club.
Half the takings from this production will go to the cricket club refurbishment appeal — several of the cast are cricket club members and were well supported on Saturday evening by their colleagues. In fact, the play has been so well received in Medstead that it is now going on tour — to Bighton in November. The "call of the ball" has certainly proved a successful deviation from the normal Christmas panto for Medstead — well done Mrs. Kercher. [M.E.H.]
Cast:
Roger - Ron Whitcher
Miriam - Dianne Nicholls
Bob - John Gregory
Dennis - Stan Whitcher
Kevin - Neil Higgins
Ginny - Tina Higgins
Maggie - Val Prior
Alex - Nick Cooper
Sharon - Karin Withey
