A coastal community’s battles with erosion, and themselves, is the focus of a brand new comedy drama being premiered at Sheringham this summer.
On The Edge explores the determination of a man facing the heartache of being forced to leave his clifftop home – a topical issue that will resonate with Norfolk people.
The subject is tackled through a cast of abrasive and funny characters that soon find themselves trapped together amid an approaching storm, adding comedy to the poignant storyline.
It was penned by North Norfolk man Rob White, and was the joint winner of an augural playwriting competition run by the Sheringham Little Theatre and its star patron Suranne Jones.
The prize included a one-act reading of the work at the venue – but theatre bosses felt the piece was so good it should be the finale to the theatre’s summer drama season, where a professional cast of seven stage four plays in six weeks from July to September.
Rob, from Gresham, is a development producer for factual television programmes. He has previously been involved in documentaries including George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces, and James May’s Toy Stories. He has dabbled at creative writing but without any success, and said he had “almost given up” when the playwriting competition revived his efforts.
His wife Jo is from Sheringham, and he has been a regular visitor to the area before they moved there permanently 11 years ago.
Rob said: “When you read the accounts of people living in places like Happisburgh and Hemsby you can’t help but be moved by their courage in battling through such extraordinary circumstances.
“Pictures of the clifftop houses helped inspire the idea of a character who takes an unconventional stand and refuses to leave his home.”
The action revolves around clifftop dweller David, who came to the fictional village of Suffenham years ago with his family. Now he finds himself at the centre of the action when an incoming storm threatens to destroy his home full of memories while a string of visitors try to talk some sense into him.
Rob added: “David is an everyman, and refusing to leave is one of the most courageous things he’s ever done. But the ripple effects soon snowball in unexpected ways, heightening the comedy and the stakes, as the characters try to take control of the standoff.”
Theatre director Debbie Thompson added: “As well as staging known, popular dramas, we like to encourage our audiences to try new pieces of drama – and encourage local writers too. This brilliant new comedy does both and is really relevant to this time and place.”
Suranne Jones added: “I’m thrilled that the Little Theatre is showing Rob’s play, where the subject matter is so close to many people hearts in the area.
“Getting local people involved in theatre is why myself and my husband Laurence teamed up with the SLT in the first place, so we really hope this is the beginning of a long line of local stories, written by local talent to make it to the stage.”
On the Edge runs from September 2-5. The other plays in the summer season are: Lend Me a Tenor (July 29-Aug 1, Aug 12-15, Aug 28-29), Little Shop of Horrors (Aug 5-6, 8. 10-11. 24-25) and Night Must Fall (Aug 19-21, 26-27).
For tickets visit www.sheringhamlittletheatre.com or 01263 822347, or call the box office on 01263 822347.
The co-winner of the playwriting competition Shamble, a psychological thriller by Martha Allison from East Runton, will be recorded for the Little Theatre’s ongoing series of downloadable audio dramas.
