ARCHIVE - PAST EVENT

by Philip King

A classic, chaotic wartime farce

“ ... delivers real entertainment value".
Joyce McMillan, The Scotsman, June 2011

Merton-cum-Middlewick, 1942: the inhabitants are braced for an imminent Nazi invasion. But Miss Skillon, the spinsterish village busybody, considers that a far greater danger threatens the Reverend Lionel Toop. Not only is his new young wife Penelope thoroughly ‘modern’ - and worse, an actress - but Miss S. is also convinced she’s . . . having an affair . . .

The blameless Penelope, meanwhile, is delighted when an old actor friend drops in. Clive Winton, now in the army, has a day’s leave from guarding German POWs at a nearby camp. Spotting that Private Lives - which holds fond memories for both - is playing at the local theatre, Penelope suggests a night out. But as army regulations prevent Clive from visiting town, Penelope dresses him in one of her husband’s spare clerical suits, so he can visit the production in disguise . . .
 
But then a mysterious, unidentified intruder arrives at the vicarage, desperate for a change of identity – and clothes. Closely followed by Clive’s long-suffering Sergeant. And Penelope’s uncle, the Bishop of Lax. And Humphrey, a rotund locum priest . . .

One vicarage, five vicars - two of whom aren’t. Everything you need for a classic British farce!

First seen at PFT in 1956, See How They Run! is simply one of the greatest farces of all time: brilliantly constructed and achingly funny. 

 "...by half-way though Act One, thanks to whiplash timing, outrageous mugging and unfailing energy and attack, the audience is already simmering in that delicious delirium where the least gesture on stage is enough to set off another rumble of laughter in the stalls. Baron never lets it go off the boil and the laughs keep on coming. Subtle it is not; great fun it most assuredly is." Robert Dawson Scott, The Times