'When the Eye has Gone' comes to Bristol - Nov 2
28 October 2016
A new play on the tragic decline of former England and Northamptonshire batsman Colin Milburn is coming to the Brightside Ground in November.
‘When the Eye Has Gone’ is a one man show that has been written by James Graham-Brown, the former Kent and Derbyshire all-rounder turned playwright, and is being produced by Live Wire/Roughhouse Theatre in association with the Professional Cricketers’ Association.
The performance at the home of Gloucestershire Cricket will take place on November 2, the second night of a run that will see it take in all 18 First Class county grounds.
The play is set in the North Briton pub in Newton Aycliffe in County Durham on February 28 1990, the last day of Milburn’s life during his cabaret performance as ‘Jolly Ollie’, the character he had developed to conceal his insecurities and suffering.
Milburn's brilliant career was cut short by the loss of the sight in his left eye in a car accident in May 1969, died in the North Briton car park aged 48 after he drifted into chronic alcoholism.
All county clubs have agreed to support the PCA in putting on the play around the country to help current players appreciate the importance of planning for life after cricket.
PCA Assistant Chief Executive Jason Ratcliffe said: “Health and wellbeing is a very broad area and we endeavour to cover as many areas as possible
“This new, exciting initiative focuses on what can happen when a playing career suddenly ends and a player struggles with a difficult transition.
“Recent research from our Personal Development and Welfare Programme (PDWP) shows that working at something during a career can enhance performance but also help with a smooth transition, whenever it comes.
“Ollie’s story puts this into sharp focus and will hopefully enforce our PDWP and the associated messaging to be proactive with your career on and off the pitch.”
In addition to the performances at the 18 county grounds, there will be six other special shows including two at Lansdown CC, Bath.
For full details of dates and tickets please see below:
Tickets:
Tickets cost £10 for adults and £8 for concessions. To book: Visit www.ticketsource.co.uk/the-professional-cricketers-association
We recommend to purchase tickets in advance to avoid disappointment, however you can purchase tickets on the door.
Click here to read a Theatre Review from Sue Gordon
