BLTC prove, once again, why they always sell out the Bembridge Village Hall. A funny and enlightening evening was had by all while watching Outside Edge, the hilarious comedy set within a local cricket pavilion. Written by Richard Harris, the play brilliantly brings to life the struggles of an amateur cricket club who not only battle to form a team to play Brent Park Cricket Club, but also struggle to keep their many “affairs” in check as well.
This strong cast was led by Ralph Edermaniger and IW Theatre winner for Best Supporting Actor in a Play 2025 and 2026 nominee for Best Actor in a Play, Fiona Gwinnett who proved that they were the perfect match. This duo truly brought the house down. Ralph’s portrayal of the pompous, self-absorbed, and controlling captain, Roger, was pure entertainment. From the opening sequence of “opening up the pavilion” to his manipulative game-playing, his energy and delivery were superb throughout.
Fiona was the perfect fit to play Miriam, the quiet, incredibly organised, and often taken-for-granted wife. Fiona’s strong characterisation was a true masterclass in acting. Watching Miriam slowly build the courage to stand up to her overbearing husband was utterly captivating. Together, Fiona and Ralph proved themselves a true powerhouse pairing on stage, with impeccable comedic timing. The dynamic duo gave some of the evenings biggest laughs.
Paul Gwinnett joined the cast as the dim-witted Bob, whose suspicious behaviour suggested he may have been sneaking around behind his wife Ginnie’s back, wonderfully portrayed by Jane Roberts. Paul delivered a strong performance, though at times he was outshone by Jane’s cutting portrayal of Ginnie, who delivered her sharp-tongued lines with precision and confidence, creating some of memorable laughs.
Kevin and Maggie Costello, played by Keith Partington and Maria Wilkinson, were utterly delightful as the husband-and-wife duo with an almost mother-and-son dynamic. Keith gave Kevin, an incredibly lazy and childish man, a lovable charm that made him impossible not to enjoy. Meanwhile, Maria was sensational as the capable yet vivacious Maggie. Her comedic timing was second to none, and she had the audience eating out of the palm of her hand. It was almost impossible to take your eyes off her, as her facial expressions often said more than words ever could.
Dennis Broadley was played with ease and finesse by Justin Smith. Lock up your wives, gentlemen — nobody is safe around Dennis! Justin brought a believable gentleness to the role, making the character feel more playful than predatory. Playing a womaniser can easily become cringeworthy, but Justin ensured his portrayal remained humorous, charming, and thoroughly entertaining.
Garry Smith gave a devilishly charming performance as Alex, the overly pompous and arrogant solicitor. His lines were delivered with confidence and authority, while his rich, commanding voice demanded attention whenever he stepped on stage. His dismissal of Sharon, the woman he picked up, was met with a sweet and gentle innocence from Ronni Petrossian. Though more of a cameo role, Ronni still made a memorable impression.
Director Nick Boyle, no stranger to directing quality productions, assembled a fantastic cast to deliver a brilliant evening of entertainment. Alongside John Hammond, the stage was superbly dressed, and the cricket pavilion setting felt entirely authentic. The use of the centre aisle and front-of-house team to represent spectators and players on the field was especially clever and immersive.
From front of house to backstage crew, this was a joyful evening of theatre. Congratulations to everyone involved — this was definitely a play that did not get bowled out!
