WIRRAL's Claremount Players are in rehearsal for a production of cricket-themed comedy Outside Edge that will be staged next year.

The play - at Claremount Church Hall in Wallasey on March 7 and 8 - showcases the hilarious exploits of Roger Dervish attempting to thrash his rivals in the North Western cricket league. His downtrodden wife Miriam is among the unsavoury but ultimately lovable characters featured in the show, which was a sitcom on ITV in the mid 1990s.

Wirral Globe: Kevin (Ray Bell) faces a sticky wicket with his wife Maggie (Annette Blakemore) in Claremount Players' production of 'Outside Edge'Kevin (Ray Bell) faces a sticky wicket with his wife Maggie (Annette Blakemore) in Claremount Players' production of 'Outside Edge' (Image: Robin Barlow)Producer Robin John Barlow said: "Prepare to be bowled over as we lift the lid on four marriages and one young man's deep love ... for himself! 

"It was chosen in tribute to 'the support of the best pair of Braces we could hope for - Jerry and Liz.

"Sadly, they are now both passed on and we know they were as equally devoted to Wallasey Cricket Club as they were to the Players.

"Jerry used to play there and performed a multitude of roles after standing back from the wicket and sadly left us in 2017.

Wirral Globe: Robin Barlow, director of Claremount Players' production of 'Outside Edge'Robin Barlow, director of Claremount Players' production of 'Outside Edge' (Image: Robin Barlow)"His wife Liz continued to support them in many ways until her passing earlier this year in March - both were one time Presidents of the club.

"They gave their erstwhile producing talents to the Claremount Players in numerous productions for over 10 years and we wanted to give thanks to them and combine these two interests."

Wirral Globe: Alex (Josh Brown) wished he'd worn his box to protect him from Sharon's (Fiona Williams) revenge in Claremount Players' production of 'Outside Edge'Alex (Josh Brown) wished he'd worn his box to protect him from Sharon's (Fiona Williams) revenge in Claremount Players' production of 'Outside Edge' (Image: Robin Barlow)

Heading up the cast is Jonathan Guest as Roger Dervish, who was played originally by Paul Eddington and later Robert Daws on TV.

Zoe McCulloch plays Miriam his wife, who has been played on screen by Prunella Scales and Brenda Blethyn.

Alongside them are Claremount 'stalwarts' Iain Henderson as the lothario Dennis seedily known to the public previously by Denis Lill and Gary Waldhorn and Annette Blakemore following in the footsteps of Josie Lawrence and Maureen Lipman.

Wirral Globe: Bob (Chris Bowes) and Ginnie (Linda Nuttall share a tender moment in The Claremount Players production of 'Outside Edge'Bob (Chris Bowes) and Ginnie (Linda Nuttall share a tender moment in The Claremount Players production of 'Outside Edge' (Image: Robin Barlow)

Fiona Williams, as Sharon, is returning to the Players after establishing herself with the likes of the Woolgatherers and the Carlton Players and Ray Bell has come back to the stage to give a memorable turn as Kevin hot on the heels, of cricket shoes naturally, once worn by Timothy Spall and Jonathan Lynn.

Rounding off the cast are Linda Nuttall, Josh Brown and Chris Bowes as Ginnie, Alex and Bob respectively. Robin himself has directed previously but is normally found in front of the curtain after 'getting the bug' at school in Mosslands back in 1993 and continuing on through university in Preston and in Germany with Das Holzhaustheater in Zielitz.

Tickets for the show are £7, which includes a programme and refreshments.

The Claremount Players first performed in 1927 with the appropriately titled 'Milestones' with their own milestone of 100 years fast approaching them.

If you are interested in joining the group or wish to reserve tickets, contact the group's secretary Ann Hughes on ann-hughes@live.co.uk or on 07804194525.