Outside Edge

Chipstead Players The Courtyard Theatre, Chipstead Reviewed by Diana Eccleston

As a one-time cricket widow, I've always loved the in-jokiness of this Richard Harris comedy and have seen it so many times his characters seem like old friends.

Chipstead Players fielded a first class team under Colin Edgerton's direction and the set might have passed for a professional one with its pavilion and exterior combo complete with real grass.

There's not a duff character in this line-up, led by Mike Strong as the insufferable captain, Roger. He is priming his men against the combined might of the British Railways Maintenance X1 Yeading East who, before the match, are spotted downing Bloody Marys – allegedly with real blood!

But his players do not share Roger's obsession with the game and have other distractions.

I enjoyed Jan Robinson as his prim, prissy wife Miriam, who cares about having the all-important tea ready on the dot.

Mel Morgan (who also designed the set) convinced as smarmy Dennis, with Noel Harris getting up everyone's noses as arrogant solicitor Alex.

Bob (Jeremy Taylor) has an ex-wife to juggle against the demands of her successor, Ginnie (Leslie Parker), so drowns his troubles in the pub with amusing results.

Scene-stealers are usually the big Maggie / Little Kev partnership and Sharon Laws and David Kay made sure their innings was a winner.