I was a bit worried when I discovered that the Players’ new show to inaugurate their seventieth (seventieth!) anniversary season was about cricket. I mean, my only experience of playing the game in a proper team resulted in what I believe is known in cricketing circles as a “duck”. At least I know now what that means, but after it I’m a blank. However, I needn’t have worried. In Stuart Goodwin’s inventive production of Richard Harris’s classic farce, Outside Edge, the game here turns out to be a contest but not just between two opposing teams of gentlemen. Instead it has that true basis of all great comedies, the battle of the sexes.
Primogenitor of this drama is team-captain Roger, played with just the right amount of blinkered vision by Bill Killick, ably matched by fellow team-mate the shiftily randy Bob (Adrian Venables). Then there’s the slightly self-made toff Dennis (Phil Shaw), neatly balanced by Alex, a nod to thrusting youth, nicely done by James Bentley. The multi-talented Nick Baker makes up most of the other players in a variety of nifty disguises.
But the slightly hippy Kevin ushers in the “couples” angle. Steve Appleyard here has a starring role which he seizes with both – well, hands. His partner is the plain-spoken realist and open sex-enthusiast, post-punk Maggie, brilliantly done by Sue Carter. Fiona Willimott is lovely as Bob’s neglected sun-worshipping second wife (do keep up) while newcomer Beth Dunmore is a great find as Alex’s uncomfortable (in every way) new squeeze bimbo Sharon.
The laughs come thick and fast as the opposing team thrash our guys, but not as badly as they can thrash themselves with no help needed. Ruth Hawkins makes a great last minute appearance to complete the rout of the species male.
But I’m not done yet. Because there’s always a star, and here it’s the wonderfully subtle Denise Baker as team captain’s wife plus caterer, head-cook and bottle-washer, the much put-upon Miriam whose eternally ignored mantra is “No thank you. I can manage!” Her almost invisible artistry binds this clever play into a gentle comedy of life with all its minor faults on show.
Outside Edge continues in the main house until January 25. For tickets phone the box office on 01543 412121 or go online at www.lichfieldgarrick.com.
