Actor to tour with one-man show about cricket legend

A FROME actor is touring the country in  a one-man theatre show about former cricketer Colin Milburn.

Frome-based actor Dan Gaisford is taking ‘When The Eye Has Gone’ to theatres across England.

Originally commissioned by The Professional Cricketers’ Association for mental health awareness programme ‘Mind Matters’, the play was written by award-winning playwright Dougie Blaxland, nom de plume of James Graham-Brown, a former Derbyshire and Kent all-rounder and is directed by Roughhouse Theatre.

In November 2016, the production was staged at every first-class cricket ground in the UK, including Lords and The Oval, and received enviable reviews.

The play tells the story of Colin ‘Ollie’ Milburn – a cricketing legend who was one of England’s most unlikely sporting heroes. In 1966 he became a household name when, in only his second test, he scored a century against West Indies.

He went on to have a successful career in the game until he lost his left eye in a car crash, an injury that effectively ended his career.

Always a heavy drinker, he sank into alcoholism and eventually suffered a fatal heart attack at the age of 48. His good friend Ian Botham was a pall bearer at his funeral.

When The Eye Has Gone is full of anecdotes, reminiscences and an atmospheric soundtrack, with the story swinging back and forth through Milburn’s life. Ollie introduces us to over 50 characters who were major influences throughout his life, all of them brought to life for his audience by Dan Gaisford.

Dan grew up in Frome and appeared regularly in Frome Drama Club productions before taking up a place at Guildford School of Acting where he was the winner of the MA Acting Prize for best overall post-graduate performance in acting.  He has worked in TV, film and theatre. Dan lives in Frome with his wife and baby daughter.

The play will be touring throughout March and local venues are The Rondo Theatre, Bath on 9th March (0333 666 3366) and The Brewhouse, Taunton on 17th and 18th March (01823 283244).