THEATRE bosses hope to bowl audiences over with a comic tale about village cricket.

Outside Edge, written by Richard Harris, opened at the Gala Theatre, in Durham City, on Monday, and is proving popular with theatregoers.

A spokesman said: "It is a gentle comedy about the goings-on behind the cricket pavillion - the sorts of thing that would happen in most cricket clubs around the country. The characters are archetypal and the play is getting a good reputation. In ten years' time, it will be regarded as a classic."

The cast includes Robert Duncan, from the cult TV comedy Drop the Dead Donkey, Frazer Hines, of Emmerdale and Dr Who, and Craig Fairbrass from EastEnders and London's Burning.

The spokesman said: "The tickets are fast disappearing for Friday and Saturday and I think we will have a bumper weekend. This is a great start to our autumn season. We have had one or two one-nighters sell-out already."

The show, which is at the end of a national tour, is on until Saturday and starts at 7.30pm. Tickets are £17 and £15.

There will be a matinee on Saturday at 2.30pm costing £12. To book, call 0191-332 4041.

Published: 23/09/2004