On Edge

ON EDGE by Beni Malone & Rick Mercer is a murder mystery drawing from the traditions of film noir and commedia dell’arte. Originally produced in 1989, ON EDGE explores the grimy underbelly of a crime family using dark humour and zany characters. The empire of a drug kingpin unravels as “associates” are released from jail, “business partners” are diversifying their assets, and his long-suffering wife battles post traumatic stress. Fast-paced with a tightly wound script, this show is highly relevant in the St. John’s of 2013, as the increased wealth of an oil economy comes home to roost with a predictable rise in illicit drug activity. In a once peaceful capital city, where drive by shootings and bathroom shoot-ups are now in the evening news, ON EDGE offers a satiric glimpse at the characters that populate this high-risk world.

This is the first production of ON EDGE since its original production 24 years ago but this prophetic play serves up laughs while considering where our small town is heading and asks whether we’re prepared for the changes to come.
Directed by Ruth Lawrence, the production stars Joshua Druken as Eddie, the crime boss; Nabila Qureshi as Eddie’s wife Harlow and her twin sister, Monroe; Jeremie Monnette as his right hand man, Tony; Darnell Johnson as Tony’s protégé and rock star wannabe Lenny; Morgan Mouland as bar owner and entrepreneur Violet; and many other colourful citizens.

Presented by MUN English 4401 Production class and produced by Erin Normandeau. Assistant direction & production management by Priscilla Siu, set design by Darnell Johnson, lighting design by Morgan Mouland, costume design by Julia Pecore, sound design by Alex Wilkie, graphic design by Sudipta Sarker, stage management by Yumna Iftikhar, and production assistance by Heather Rumancik and Robert Badcock.