DAD-OF-three Steve Heritage never saw amateur dramatics as his Achilles’ heel – until he injured himself onstage.
While friends and family told him to "break a leg" in his latest play – the age-old good luck phrase – he took it a bit too literally and ripped his ankle tendon in the final scene.
Just minutes before the end of a recent Poynton Players’ production of rugby themed comedy Up ‘n’ Under, the key actor thought he had done just minor damage.
RBS Bank worker Steve, 53, who lives with wife Shelagh, said: "It was a lively scene of the final rugby match, and there’s plenty of running around. I thought someone had clipped my ankle. Maybe it was the adrenaline of being onstage, but I didn’t really feel that much pain, and hobbled on to the final curtain. I went to A and E straight after, and they told me I had ripped my Achilles’ tendon."
But with three nights for Poynton Players still to perform at their George’s Road West venue, in the village, lighting man Richard Rhodes stepped into the breach.
Steve, who lives on Moss Lane, in Bramhall, has been a member of The Players for 30 years.
He said: "Richard did a great job at the last minute to step in. We really thought we might have to cancel the rest of the week, but he knows the play pretty well."
Both men ended up sharing the role of Arthur Hoyle, a lead protagonist in the comedy in which a team of ambitious but not particularly talented rugby players take on the best in their league.
Steve said he will be laid up with his ankle for a number of weeks, and will be unlikely to perform onstage in the January production. But he’ll be there in the background.
For more information about the talented Poynton Players, or to join them, ring the membership secretary on 01625 875542.
