posted 21st February 2025
Classic Farce
SEE HOW THEY RUN! By Philip King
Matthews Hall, Topsham 25-28 November 2025
This classic comedy is set in a small English village, Merton-cum-Middlewick, at the end of the Second World War. At the centre of the action is the Reverend Lionel Toop, his wife Penelope, a former actress, Clive a fellow actor from Penelope’s past and a nosy parishioner Miss Skillon who draws certain conclusions… With the arrival of the Bishop of Lax and a German Prisoner of War disguised as a Vicar, mayhem ensues, in this otherwise sleepy backwater.
Director Leigh Steedman now has rehearsals well underway - and this classic farce has to run like clockwork, so the cast expect to be working very hard indeed!
Estuary Players are always delighted to welcome new members.
Estuary Players present
See How They Run!
A comedic clerical caper by Philip King
The Setting
It is Autumn 1940. At the Vicarage in the sleepy village of Merton-cum-Middlewick, resides the Reverend Lionel Toop and his glamorous wife, Penelope. The action begins with the arrival of Miss Skillon, a dedicated parishioner who heartily disapproves of Mrs Toop, a former actress. Also visiting are the Bishop of Lax and the Reverend Arthur Humphrey. So much to do for poor Ida the maid. Mayhem ensues with the arrival of Clive, one of Penelope’s old pals, plus an escaped German POW who is seeking refuge. Can Sergeant Towers make sense of it all?
Act 1 An afternoon in September
Act 2 Later the same night
Act 3 A few seconds later
The Company
Ida… Clare Philbrock
Miss Skillon… Chris Eilbeck
The Reverend Lionel Toop… Alan Caig
Penelope Toop… Mandy Doherty
Clive Winton… John Nelson
The Intruder… Joe Coghlan
The Bishop of Lax… Howard Eilbeck
The Reverend Arthur Humphrey… Keith Palmer
Sergeant Towers… Colin Glennie
Production Team
Director… Leigh Steedman
Stage Manager, Props and Costumes… Janine Warre, assisted by Betty Donaldson
Lighting Design… Tim Pratt
Lighting and Sound Operator… Ian Potts
Set Design… Leigh Steedman
Poster Design… Leigh Steedman and Alix Kelman
Publicity Material… Kelman Media
Programme… Clare Philbrock and Alan Caig
Prompt… Pat Peters
Acknowledgements
Exmouth Players for the loan of furniture
The Salutation Inn for rehearsal facilities
Everyone who helped with the Set Construction
Sponsored by The Globe, Topsham
