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Regional Reviews: Other Regions See How They Run Also see Gil's reviews of She Loves Me, Something Rotten!, Hamlet and Harmony
The comedy is set in a small British village during the 1940s at the time of World War II and takes place entirely in the home of Reverend Lionel Toop and his American wife, former actress Penelope. The plot begins when Penelope's former acting co-star Clive Winton, who is now a corporal and stationed at a nearby Army camp, arrives to surprise Penelope. When local busybody Miss Skillon sees Penelope reenacting a lover's quarrel scene from Private Lives with Winton, she sets out to expose what she believes is an illicit affair. In addition, there are assorted kooky characters, including the couple's feisty Cockney maid Ida and Penelope's uncle, the Bishop of Lax. When her uncle arrives earlier than expected, along with an escaped German prisoner of war who wanders into the house, it sets in motion a series of mistaken identities and misunderstandings, all of which have hilarious results. Kink's plot does take a short time to fully gel, since it has to introduce a series of characters and explain their relationships with each other. However, once the plot is set and the hilarity begins, the comical lines fly, the doors slam, and the non-stop parade of eccentric supporting characters run in and out of the Vicar's house, hence the play's title. Everything comes together beautifully, including a very funny coda at the very end that packs a humorous punch, making you truly appreciate how King's dialogue, situations, and characters are all so well crafted. Geoffrey Kent's direction is spotless, with a well-oiled ensemble of comedic actors who appear to be having a blast bringing the hilarity and hijinks to life, with perfectly played facial expressions, humorous double takes, and well delivered punch lines that pop. Kent's staging makes superb use of every door, entranceway, staircase, and piece of furniture on Jo Winiarski's fantastic set, which features embellished details that set the period of the piece to ensure every comic bit and line in the play gets huge laughs. The production is brightly lit by Tom Mays and the costumes by Tracy Christensen are a smart combination of period fashions and clerical outfits. Emily Hawkins and Gabriel W. Elmore are wonderful as Penelope and Clive, respectively. Hawkins' animated gestures and playful sensibility make Penelope, the innocent yet adventurous vicar's wife, into a fun loving and spirited woman. Elmore throws himself into the part of the American soldier who becomes entangled in the escalating confusion with a steady supply of alcohol to help ease his problems. Caitlin Wise, Rodney Lizcano, and Mat Hostetler round out the main supporting cast as Miss Skillon, the Bishop, and Lionel, respectively, with Wise an absolute scene-stealer with superb physical comedy abilities as the busybody parishioner. Lizcano has wonderful stage presence that gets big laughs as the exasperated yet patient bishop who attempts to maintain order as he becomes caught in the whirlwind of misunderstandings. Hostetler delivers a charming portrayal of the mild-mannered and good-hearted vicar of the village who is hopelessly overwhelmed. Clara Hevia is simply hilarious as the feisty Cockney maid, Ida. Loren Jones, Calvin Adams, and Avery Michael Johnson play three smaller, but very important, roles, and under Kent's direction the tight ensemble cast deliver what's required of them to ensure the lunacy and split-second timing the play requires shines without every faltering. See How They Run proves to be a very funny and well written farce that stands on the same level of other famous farces. With an energetic cast who throw themselves into the comical requirements of the play, well-polished direction, and excellent creative aspects, Utah Shakespeare Festival's production is fast paced, funny, and an entirely delightful crowd pleaser. See How They Run runs through September 4, 2026, at Utah Shakespeare Festival, Beverley Taylor Sorenson Center for the Arts on the campus of Southern Utah University, 195 W Center St, Cedar City UT. For tickets and information, please visit www.bard.org or call 800-752-9849. Director/Fight Director: Geoffrey Kent Cast (In order of appearance): |
