See How They Run: A Farce in Three Acts

by Philip King

A classic English farce, written (and set) in rural England in World War 2.Vicar's wife and former actress Penelope Toop is already disapproved of by village matriarch Miss Skillon. Things get worse when she is visited by Clive, a friend from the stage and now in the army, who finds himself having to borrow her husband's spare vicar's outfit. When an escaped German POW steal's the real vicar's clothes and another vicar and a bishop come to visit, the scene is set for a fast-paced farce of jealousy and mistaken identity, with a drunk and love-starved Miss Skillon adding to the confusion. It seems that only the teenage maid Ida can save the day.

Genres: Plays, Theatre, Drama, Fiction, Humor

102 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1946

Reviews

[Grace Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an honor to be cast as Miss. Skillon in this outrageous production.

2018 Popsugar Reading Challenge: A book that is also a stage play or musical

[Kylie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm in this! I've read this over and over about what feels like a million times, so I'm counting this as I book I've read. I'm playing Penelope! It's a hilarious and chaotic play, come see it!

[Lida · Rating 4 out of 5]

so chaotic, I love it

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, I would like to see this performed in stage!

[Jonathan Palfrey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reading this in 1972, I found it funny but rather corny.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

My husband directed a production of this in college, but I'd never seen it. At least now I finally understand a line he's been quoting for the length of our marriage.

If you're looking for something with meaning and depth, move along. But this is a little gem of a farce. Ridiculous misunderstandings, lots of running and slamming doors, people convinced that other people are insane and playing along so that the first person is then convinced that the second one is insane, people getting locked in closets, a ridiculous accent or two. And vicars. Lots of vicars, people pretending to be vicars, people stealing the clothes off unconscious vicars. Because how can you go wrong with an overabundance of vicars?

[Duncan Maccoll · Rating 1 out of 5]

I saw this at Pitlochry Festival Theatre during the summer of 2011. I didn't like it very much. The acting was good, especially the female lead. The set looked brilliant and the lighting was good. But the play, oh the play. Worse of all was the stage German with his salutes and mannerisms, oh dear. Not to be recommended.

[Annemarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this play!

[Bayley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this play. It's not just your typical drawing room farce; it really pulls out the laughs, and its even fun to read, too. Try and get out to see this one if its playing sometime!

[Emily Barton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic farce, mistaken identity, quirky hijinks. The plot is slow to start but once it picks up about halfway through Act II you will be rolling.

[Michael Spellman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious, I highly recommend it.