Review: On the Edge - Sheringham Little Theatre

Review by Ray Tempesta

For the final instalment of Sheringham Little Theatre's summer rep season, they elected to stage a brand new play by local writer Robert White, a comedy called On the Edge.

While for most in the audience, the play was a complete unknown quantity, those who had attended the Theatre's playwriting competition in August 2025 might remember the piece as one of the winning entries. And, full disclosure, I was also part of the troupe that gave it its first airing on stage back then.

So it was from a rather unique position that I approached my review of the play in its current iteration. And I say that because since the competition, it has been amended to include an additional character and lengthened to run over two Acts.

On the Edge is a piece focused on David, a homeowner in the fictional Norfolk village of Suffenham, who is being forced to evacuate his home on account of a storm that is almost certain to lead to catastrophic cliff erosion. When David refuses to cooperate with 'coastal community volunteer' Natty, reinforcements are sent to convince him to leave, leading to hilarious hi-jinks involving hostages, questionable pills, and Chinese takeaway.

Donald Forbes puts in a thoughtful performance as David, channelling a sense of grief through his bewilderment. Natty has been written as a North Norfolk stereotype and Rachael Cummins leans into this, garnering plenty of laughs along the way. Though undoubtedly a crowd pleaser, I do feel her comedy instincts could have been reined in somewhat as Natty started to verge on pantomime at times.

There's great performances from the rest of the company too, with Jonathan Iceton also amping up the comedy as a clichéd yuppy workaholic Marcus. Jonathan Houlston as the wet-behind-the-ears environmental officer Richard provides some moments of sanity, while Hannah Smith's grasping landlady Kelly wants to drag the situation out for as long as possible. As ex-wife Helen, Susanna Harding offers the play a couple of touching and tender moments.

It's a beautifully written piece which highlights that it's more than just homes being lost to the sea when cliffs erode. Although billed as a comedy, Robert White interweaved moments of introspection and sadness, as the reason for David's reluctance to move on becomes clear.

And it's those reflective parts that prove the highlight, countering the moments of farcical comedy which, for me, sometimes served only to cheapen the poignancy of the story. It is well worth a watch, and credit is also due to the Theatre for giving some new work a chance.

On the Edge continues at Sheringham Little Theatre until 5 September.