See How They Run

When Covid forced the closure of The Playhouse, Pateley Bridge Dramatic Society took the opportunity to completely refurbish the building – backstage, front of house and even the installation of a lift. It’s taken an enormous amount of time, effort and money from the local community to get to its reopening but it has all been worth it. We were honoured and privileged to be at the reopening of the theatre and the opening night of their latest production, See How They Run. As the Director says in his programme notes – “ After our long Covid related lay-off, we wanted something full of belly laughs” – and, my goodness, they certainly provided that.

See How They Run by Philip King is a typically British farce set in the idyllic rural village of Merton-cum-Middlewick during World War II, the inhabitants of which are preparing themselves for the imminent threat of a German invasion. Meanwhile, resident spinster, Miss Skillon (Heather Appleton), becomes convinced that her beloved vicar's actress wife Penelope Toop (Sally Smith) is having an affair and attempts to expose her. With a complicated plot of mistaken identity between the vicar; The Reverend Lionel Toop (Peter Buller), Penelope’s ex-actor friend Lance Corporal Clive Winton (Ben Derrick) and an escaped German prisoner of war (Chris Iredale), further complicated by the visiting Bishop of Lax (Jerry Harvey), a locum priest The Reverend Arthur Humphrey (Michael Thorne) and a witless housemaid Ida (Carol Bailey), hilarious confusion and mayhem result. Army Sergeant Towers (Steve Hunt) however, comes to everyone’s rescue and takes charge at the climax of the piece, when ‘peace’ reigns again.

As Miss Skillon, Heather Appleton, very ably plays a part which most actresses would give their right arm for. Her displays of disparagement, athletic drunkenness and her frilly knee-length knickers are first class, and well worth the ticket price! Her antics with a bicycle inner tube were inspired.

Sally Smith lights up the stage every time she appears, in a classy, sassy performance as Penelope. A huge part very well done. She is well supported by both Peter Buller in the role of her straight-laced husband and Ben Derrick, her romantic ex-actor friend.

Carol Bailey‘s hapless housemaid Ida, was a comedienne’s tour-de-force, displaying excellent timing and wonderful delivery. Her characterisation was top notch and totally convincing.

With a made-to-measure part; Jerry Harvey’s Bishop of Lax was simply wonderful. His athletic ability was also very impressive in the ‘running’ scenes. He, along with Michael Thorne, Steve Hunt and newcomer Chris Iredale made up a very talented cast.

Farce is arguably one of the most difficult genres of theatre to direct (having been there myself), and Keith Burton excelled, within the confines of a small playing area, with a superb result. As he himself says, “we have used every trick in the book to gain a laugh”. Every move was timed to perfection and must have taken hours of rehearsing to get it so right.

The production was further enhanced by a wonderful set, beautifully dressed with period props (Tessa Lee) and equally superb costumes (Ruth Dodsworth and team); all fitting the timeline. The production was enhanced with suitable lighting (Steve Hunt & Tom Barber) and sound (Sue Hickson) – those “slaps” were spot on. All this under the tight control of the stage manager, Justin Enthoven. I have one niggle – sorry – the odd looking labels on the drinks bottles?

The  full auditorium, as it is all week, showed their appreciation with long applause after the final scene. We were treated to a splendid night’s escapism full of belly laughs and were heartily and thoroughly entertained.

Thank you for the hospitality and the opportunity to be part of your reopening.

Bryan Craven, NODA