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Actor Mark Rylance talks about the company
When I was the artistic director of Shakepeare's Globe Theatre I became aware of the cruel history of
animal bating along the south bank during Shakespeare's day. Bears, bulls and dogs were regularly pitted
against each other in amphitheatres like the Globe for the sensation seeking spectator.
I used to compare the characters in Shakespeare's plays with these gladiatorial animals and propose that
Shakespeare was attracting his sensational audience by pitting humanity's own wild animal nature – most
apparent in the extraordinary power of our appetites and affections, conscious and unconscious - against
itself.
All schools of learning I have encountered have understood the necessity of a journey into the unlit
corridors of the unconscious desires. The ancient Greek schools of wisdom and all indigenous tribal
people I have read about, felt and feel the need to initiate their young people into these mysteries. They
understand how easily an individual, particularly a gifted, imaginative individual, can be overwhelmed by
their unconscious desires. Like Shakespeare they learned to prepare their young for these dangers
through dramatic experience, initiatory drama.
Even as I thought and wrote down these ideas during my early years at the Globe, I myself had developed
a habitual and debilitating addiction to Marijuana, which I used to mask my consciousness from my deeper
desires, angers, and grief.
A bright light of guidance for me was a winter visit to a small community hall in Hammersmith. Sitting in a
circle with strangers I had my first experience of the theatre of OUTSIDE EDGE. I didn't know if what I was
witnessing was real or acted. I remember all my fears and emotions rising to the surface of my mind as I
witnessed scenes all too familiar and explored the possibility of different choices that we, the audience
were allowed to suggest and then invited to enact. This was proper initiatory old style theatre. This was
prospero's island!
It was one of the most powerful and helpful theatrical events of my life. I returned to my own life with a new
courage to encounter the truth and be conscious.
I gave up Marijuana four years ago and enjoy a life free of that muffled duvet of smoke and gloomy
paranoia I wrapped around my head for so many years.
I witnessed Phil Fox and his actors at work again a couple of weeks ago. 9:30am. A group of brave addicts
trying to get straight in the basement of a London rehab centre. No set, no costume, no lights, just honest
searching acting and open interchange between the actors and the audience. Everyone searching for the
best credible outcome to their story.
I am a great admirer of the companies work and play.
Mark Rylance
Jimmy Page and
The Outside EdgeTC
'I am delighted and proud to be a supporter
of The Outside Edge Theatre Company.
They manage, under the guidance of Phil
Fox, to produce artistically excellent work
that challenges and entertains audiences at
the same time as making a real difference.
They demonstrate the very real capacity of
live performance to positively transform
shattered lives. Edge's work with addicts -
and the ways in which their performances
awaken audiences and provoke debate - is
quite simply stunning'
Phil Fox, Creative Director
of the company, tells us
what brought him to the
Edge. You can read his
story by clicking here
of the company, tells us
what brought him to the
Edge. You can read his
story by clicking here
Sarah, a regular participant in Edge's work,
has written about her journey into recovery
and the contribution the Outside Edge has
had in keeping her clean and sober. You can
read her story by clicking here
has written about her journey into recovery
and the contribution the Outside Edge has
had in keeping her clean and sober. You can
read her story by clicking here