See How They Run

Regis Players decided to perform the war time comedy ‘See How They Run’ to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the start of the war, a madcap farce written by Philip King and set in a vicarage during the 2nd World War. It is a tale of confusion, mistaken identities and misunderstandings together with the frenzied chases in and out of doors with alcohol playing a large part in the plot. As always at Felpham, the set and props are outstanding with the many doors needing to be extremely robust to cope with the innumerable comings and goings. I loved the opening scene with the slightly tuneless singing coming from the bathroom area above and the poor vicar trying to pacify the villager who obviously calls regularly to complain or advise with romantic inclinations towards the said vicar.

The vicar’s wife, Penelope Toop, is an American ex-actress and is superbly played by Susanna Misson-Williams. She has great stage presence and the style and vitality necessary to portray this uninhibited and exuberant character. Her husband, Rev. Lionel Toop, was convincingly played by Aaron Baker who spent most of his time running about in his underwear! Sandy Knight was great as Miss Skillon, the snooty parishioner. Her fall from grace to a very believable drunk made for some extremely funny scenes and her ability to faint or get knocked out, and still landing in the right place, was brilliant. Ida, the maid, with a touch of desperation for male attention, was endearingly played by Rebecca Moore. Her facial expressions were a language in themselves. Dominic Parris has great comic timing and excelled as Lance-Corporal Clive Winton, an actor friend of the vicar’s wife. Their mock fight scene on the floor was exceptional.

 Strong support came from Nicholas Jones as the Bishop of Lax, David Brown as Rev. Arthur Humphrey, Chris Armstead as an escaped German prisoner impersonating a Vicar and Brian Packebusch in the role of Sergeant Towers. This was a physically demanding play for many in the cast and they carried it out with tremendous energy and impeccable comic timing all working so well together - an essential in such an energetic farce as this which depends so much on precise timing both verbally and physically.

Congratulations to Lynne, the Director, and to everyone involved for an evening of hilarious entertainment.

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