Outside Edge, by St Paul's Amateur Players at Adlington Community Centre until Saturday. THE Richard Harris tale of village cricket folk made into a popular television series is skilfully brought to the stage by the talented amateur players of St Paul's.

Seated with their backs to the field of play, the audience are confined to observing the action in the pavilion and around its verandah. Watching paint peel might be more interesting if this comedy drama fell into the wrong hands.

Not so with St Paul's, who once again demonstrate their casting prowess and depth of ability by finding nine actors ideally suited to depict the odd-ball collection of players and partners.

Adrian Beer sweats and snarls as overbearing captain, groundsman, scorer and organiser Roger. Gill Brown is timid and subservient down to the rubber gloves as his long-suffering wife Mim, creator of the finest teas in the league.

Twice-married drunkard Bob, played by Ken Brindley brings his woman problems to the pavilion along with disinterested, sun-worshipping second wife Ginnie, a lovely performance by Barbara Wolfe.

Ken Thompson is the ageing charmer Dennis, but he's much too greasy for the buxom, sex-mad Maggie, cleverly interpreted by Judith Armstrong, who in any case only has eyes, arms and anything else she can employ to ensnare her diminutive husband Kevin, played by Vincent Taylor.

The players are completed by Alistair McDermott's rich and prattish Alex and his dumb, bimbo girlfriend Sharon (Jane Norris). What a team, and what a performance. EILEEN SMITH

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.