See How They Run

Over the years Southwick Players have built up a formidable reputation for delivering professional performances both on and off the stage.

One of the cornerstones in the early years was Philip King, who combined his role as president of the players with penning See How They Run.

Farce at it’s finest, this sees events on a quiet afternoon in an English village vicarage take bizarre and befuddling twists building to an explosive conclusion.

Since turned into a film, many of you will be familiar with the story.

But true to form, the players took a classic tale and gave it real twist – this time transporting the audience back to the wartime years when it was first performed in the village.

Complete with “God Save The King” to start, an original 1943 programme and intermittent air raid sirens, the heavy dose of nostalgia was a real winner with those packing out the Barn Theatre.

With the “am-dram” tones wrenched up to 11, the snappy script was delivered with near-perfect pace from a cracking cast, with Amy Bowyer as the cockney maid Ida and Tobias Clay as Corporal Clve Winton among the stand outs.

But this was a real team effort, from a group which continues to look forward while respectfully nodding to the past.

For fun-filled and thrilling farce you should look no further.

Barn Theatre, Southwick, 10 March 2016
Rating:
Tim Ridgway