Cornermen
★★★★☆ Assured
theSpace on the Mile (Venue 39): Sun 3 – Sat 23 Aug 2025 (odd dates only)
Review by Hugh Simpson
Broken dreams litter the world of boxing, and this is reflected in Cornermen, an impressive production from Authentically False Productions and New Celts at theSpace on the Mile on odd dates throughout the Fringe.
Oli Forsyth’s play depicts three down-on-their luck boxing trainers who look for a young amateur they can turn into a ‘journeyman’ professional, able to fight often (and lose often) to make them some money. However, the youngster they discover turns out to have much more potential than that.
Arran Hogg (Joey), Liam Scobie (Sid) and Daniel Doherty (Mickey) in Cornermen. Pic: Authentically False Productions.
The play is an unsparing, at times nasty, depiction of the world of boxing and the exploitation and waste of lives it involves. Even if is a trifle formulaic, and does overstay its welcome a little, it is well structured. The problems of showing actual boxing on stage are handled deftly.
It’s not much of a spoiler to say that there is virtually no actual boxing, but there is still a real physicality to the play, whether that’s in training (beautifully choreographed by Luke Davidson) or in a wonderfully played nightclub scene.
tremendous physical presence
Liam Scobie as Sid Sparks, the wannabe champion, has a tremendous physical presence, as well as portraying the character’s naiveté very well indeed.
The three trainers Mickey (Daniel Doherty), Drew (Ruairi Francis McCormack) and Joey (Arran Hogg) are also played impressively. Doherty nails the outward bonhomie and inner drive, McCormack is more sympathetic, and Hogg gives Joey a glaikit twitchiness.
Liam Scobie (Sid), Arran Hogg (Joey), Daniel Doherty (Mickey) and Ruairi Francis McCormack (Drew) in Cornermen. Pic: Authentically False Productions.
All of them handle potentially tricky moments of narration and exposition with aplomb, and David Wotton’s direction means the piece is constantly pacy and absorbing.
Raegan Walker’s sound and Lukas Fury’s lighting help give the production an atmosphere that makes its more visceral moments hit home.
Among the nastiness, there is also a real melancholy to this play, which comes across clearly in an assured production.
Running time: One hour and 15 minutes (no interval).
theSpace on the Mile (Space 3), 80 High St, EH1 1TH. (Venue 39).
Sunday 3 – Saturday 23 August 2025.
Odd dates only: 12.15 pm.
Tickets and details: Book here on EdFringe.com.
Facebook: @AuthenticallyFalseProductions
Instagram: @authenticallyfalseproductions
Liam Scobie (Sid), Arran Hogg (Joey), Daniel Doherty (Mickey) and Ruairi Francis McCormack (Drew) in Cornermen. Pic: Authentically False Productions.
ENDS
