Gavin Russell is the neurotic and oblivious Lionel Toop and Holly Shivley plays busybody Miss Skillon in "See How They Run" at Back Alley Productions. / Back Alley Contributed PhotoMistaken identities, hilarious assumptions and frantic chases add to the chaos of British comedy "See How They Run," which opens in LaFayette, Georgia, on Friday, June 21, for five performances presented by Back Alley Productions.
"'See How They Run' is a well-known fan favorite for everyone at Back Alley and one of our earliest shows," says director Christopher Smith. "But we've energized it with new life and a new take. It's been a lot of fun to bring it to life again with fresh ideas and a fresh cast. We're excited to bring you a night of comedy that's a perfect weekend event for the summer."
If you go
› What: “See How They Run”› Where: Mars Theatre, 117 N. Chattanooga St., LaFayette, Ga.› When: 8 p.m. June 21-22, 28-29; 3 p.m. June 23› Admission: $16 and $13› For more information: www.bapshows.com
"See How They Run" takes place during the 1940s in a quaint British village. A vicar named Lionel Toop (played by Gavin Russell) has settled there with wife Penelope (Ashley Bradford). She is a former American actress who finds British life is boring and not quite her cup of tea.
The drama unfolds when Penelope's old friend, an American soldier named Clive (Dillon Hartley) who is stationed nearby, appears back in her life. Clive can't leave his post, so with her husband away, Pen develops a plan to sneak Clive out in a vicar's uniform and pass him off as her husband.
Her plan quickly derails when more vicars show up unexpectedly, identically dressed and making it unclear who's who. No one knows that among them is a dangerous and armed criminal, who has also stolen a vicar's uniform in an attempt to sneak away from prison.
"The whole story plays at the knee-jerk assumptions we all make every day about each other, whether based in appearance, culture, gender or background - or just assumed motives in general," says Smith.
"It's easy to walk into a room and jump to conclusions about everything and everyone. We do it automatically every day without even noticing it, and Phillip King's script shows how hilariously wrong we can be."
The cast also includes Holly Shively, Emily Clift, David Howard, Luke Duvall, Cody Robinson Steele and Michael Lynn.
Tickets may be purchased in advance online or at the box office 30 minutes before show time. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
For more information: www.bapshows.com.