If you’ve been holding off going to the theater because you think it’s for stuffy old folks who drink their tea hot in little china cups instead of iced in a mason jar, then check out Plaza Theatre Company’s latest production. You will change your mind and laugh until your sides ache.
“See How They Run,” written by Philip King, is perhaps the most appropriately titled play in the history of theater. Most of the cast spends the better part of its time on stage darting and dashing about in a mad frenzy. This is slapstick at its best, and director Curt Mega has his cast moving at full throttle.
“See How They Run” is set in the living room of the vicarage in a small English town near the end of World War II. The play is a classic British farce with mistaken identities, escaped spies, pratfalls, a little too much drinking, unexpected guests and unrequited love. Think: the Three Stooges or Marx Brothers with silly British accents.
Darcey Farrington as Miss Skillion, the local church busy-body, is hilarious and spends most of the play being pulled, punched and tossed onto couches and shoved into closets by the rest of the cast. Danielle Beacham as Ida, the maid, has a young Jim Carrey ability to stretch and contort her body for comic effect. Curt Mega as the Rev. Lionel Toop tries his best to lend some dignity to the proceeding but is quickly disrobed, discombobulated and rendered mad as a hatter.
Holly Maddox as Penelope Toop, the good vicar’s fish-out-of-water American wife, tries her best to restore order to the madness around her and protect the good name of her husband. Kyle Adams plays Penelope’s old American friend and has most of the best lines and drinks most of the vodka.
Aaron Siler is the bull in the china closet and wreaks havoc and menace every moment he’s on stage. James Long as the elderly Bishop of Lax draws his best laughs with his utter inability to match the physical slapstick taking place around him.
Russell Walker as the mild-mannered Rev. Arthur Humphrey is the only understated character in the play, yet his bewilderment and mild-mannered performance is never lost amid the hubbub. Joshua Cating as police Sgt. Towers doesn’t appear until the third act but delivers perhaps the best punch line of the evening and somehow manages to sort everything out before the curtain drops.
The play is fast, funny and has the most interesting intermission you’ll ever see; just be careful where you step.
The good folks at the Plaza go out of their way to provide good, old-fashioned, relaxed family entertainment. Come as you are, buy some popcorn and a drink, put your feet up and prepare to laugh out loud and repeatedly. This is the next to last production before the Plaza moves to its new, expanded digs just up the street.
Be a part of something special, and find out what your neighbors are talking about. It’s no more expensive than a movie, and the action unfolds live, right before your eyes.
“See How They Run” plays through March 1 with performances Thursday, Friday and Saturday. For tickets, call the box office at 817-202-0600.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Courtesy photo/Mark Nobles
Discussion
‘Run’ to see this show
- Cleburne
-
Front, from left, are Grandview’s Caleb Hollingsworth, Cleburne’s Zach Haler, Joshua’s Jordan Garrett, Alvarado’s A.J. Castillo, Xavier Holbert, Kenny Adams and Marcus McNeil, Cleburne’s Conner Martyniuk and Godley’s Drew Benge. Standing, from left, are Alvarado’s Ronald Thomas, C.J. Johnson and Alex Gentrey, Grandview’s Austin Wylie and Caleb Armstrong. Not pictured is Alvarado’s Marcus Villarreal.
-
First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
The first-team offense included Alvarado quarterback Kenny West and Burleson quarterback Barrett Cain. -
Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
The second-team offense was led by Cleburne’s Quade Coward and Godley’s Rhett Brawner as the second-team quarterbacks. -
Cleburne pulls away from Burleson, 62-48
The Cleburne Yellow Jackets beat Burleson, 62-48, on Friday night at Yellow Jacket Gym to move to 2-7 in District 7-A play. Burleson fell to 2-7 in league play with the loss.
-
Lady Jackets pick up first District 7-4A win
On Friday night at Yellow Jacket Stadium, Cleburne picked up its first win of the District 7-4A season, 66-60, over Burleson, which fell to 3-8.
-
Up-and-down Yellow Jackets split Friday’s matches at Little Elm Tourney
Both Cleburne soccer teams had mixed results on Friday in their respective tournaments.
-
First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
- Johnson County
-
-
Stage 2 drought plan still in place
Johnson County Special Utility District will keep its Stage 2 drought plan in place despite this week’s rain.
- Tuesday marks property tax payment deadline
- Drought no more
- Number of sex offenders increases
- Council approves trash truck purchases
-
Stage 2 drought plan still in place
- Alvarado
-
Standing, from left, are Grandview’s Ryan Breton (offensive most valuable player) and Austin Martinez (Ironman award winner), Alvarado’s Wayne Onderdonck (county MVP) and Brazos Fuller (co-newcomer of the year), Burleson’s Ayinde Alaajiy (co-newcomer of the year), Godley’s Blake Washinton (co-linemen of the year), Alvarado’s Tyler Bates (defensive MVP), Alvarado Head Coach Jeff Dixon (coach of the year) and Grandview’s Davis Scarbrough (co-linemen of the year).
-
Indians on top of selections
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
Four of Johnson County’s eight football teams qualified for the postseason in 2011 with Alvarado making it all the way to the Class 3A Division I state championship game at Cowboys Stadium against Tyler Chapel Hill. - Dixon repeats as AJC coach of the year
- First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
- Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
- Upcoming sports schedule
-
Indians on top of selections
- Burleson
-
Standing, from left, are Grandview’s Ryan Breton (offensive most valuable player) and Austin Martinez (Ironman award winner), Alvarado’s Wayne Onderdonck (county MVP) and Brazos Fuller (co-newcomer of the year), Burleson’s Ayinde Alaajiy (co-newcomer of the year), Godley’s Blake Washinton (co-linemen of the year), Alvarado’s Tyler Bates (defensive MVP), Alvarado Head Coach Jeff Dixon (coach of the year) and Grandview’s Davis Scarbrough (co-linemen of the year).
-
Indians on top of selections
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
Four of Johnson County’s eight football teams qualified for the postseason in 2011 with Alvarado making it all the way to the Class 3A Division I state championship game at Cowboys Stadium against Tyler Chapel Hill. - First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
- Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
- Cleburne pulls away from Burleson, 62-48
- Lady Jackets pick up first District 7-4A win
-
Indians on top of selections
- Godley
-
Standing, from left, are Grandview’s Ryan Breton (offensive most valuable player) and Austin Martinez (Ironman award winner), Alvarado’s Wayne Onderdonck (county MVP) and Brazos Fuller (co-newcomer of the year), Burleson’s Ayinde Alaajiy (co-newcomer of the year), Godley’s Blake Washinton (co-linemen of the year), Alvarado’s Tyler Bates (defensive MVP), Alvarado Head Coach Jeff Dixon (coach of the year) and Grandview’s Davis Scarbrough (co-linemen of the year).
-
Indians on top of selections
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
Four of Johnson County’s eight football teams qualified for the postseason in 2011 with Alvarado making it all the way to the Class 3A Division I state championship game at Cowboys Stadium against Tyler Chapel Hill. - First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
- Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
- Upcoming sports schedule
- Lady Cats win, Wildcats fall to Peaster
-
Indians on top of selections
- Grandview
-
Standing, from left, are Grandview’s Ryan Breton (offensive most valuable player) and Austin Martinez (Ironman award winner), Alvarado’s Wayne Onderdonck (county MVP) and Brazos Fuller (co-newcomer of the year), Burleson’s Ayinde Alaajiy (co-newcomer of the year), Godley’s Blake Washinton (co-linemen of the year), Alvarado’s Tyler Bates (defensive MVP), Alvarado Head Coach Jeff Dixon (coach of the year) and Grandview’s Davis Scarbrough (co-linemen of the year).
-
Indians on top of selections
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
Four of Johnson County’s eight football teams qualified for the postseason in 2011 with Alvarado making it all the way to the Class 3A Division I state championship game at Cowboys Stadium against Tyler Chapel Hill. - First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
- Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
- Upcoming sports schedule
- Tuesday basketball roundup
-
Indians on top of selections
- Joshua
-
Front, from left, are Grandview’s Caleb Hollingsworth, Cleburne’s Zach Haler, Joshua’s Jordan Garrett, Alvarado’s A.J. Castillo, Xavier Holbert, Kenny Adams and Marcus McNeil, Cleburne’s Conner Martyniuk and Godley’s Drew Benge. Standing, from left, are Alvarado’s Ronald Thomas, C.J. Johnson and Alex Gentrey, Grandview’s Austin Wylie and Caleb Armstrong. Not pictured is Alvarado’s Marcus Villarreal.
-
First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
The first-team offense included Alvarado quarterback Kenny West and Burleson quarterback Barrett Cain. - Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
- Upcoming sports schedule
- Tuesday basketball roundup
- Kicking into high gear
-
First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
- Keene
-
-
Upcoming sports schedule
A look at the sports schedule for Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
- Tuesday basketball roundup
- Burleson leads AJC superlatives
- Grandview, Burleson, Cleburne lead first team selections
- Centennial places two on second team; Alvarado lands three players
-
Upcoming sports schedule
- Rio Vista
-
Front, from left, are Grandview’s Caleb Hollingsworth, Cleburne’s Zach Haler, Joshua’s Jordan Garrett, Alvarado’s A.J. Castillo, Xavier Holbert, Kenny Adams and Marcus McNeil, Cleburne’s Conner Martyniuk and Godley’s Drew Benge. Standing, from left, are Alvarado’s Ronald Thomas, C.J. Johnson and Alex Gentrey, Grandview’s Austin Wylie and Caleb Armstrong. Not pictured is Alvarado’s Marcus Villarreal.
-
First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
The first-team offense included Alvarado quarterback Kenny West and Burleson quarterback Barrett Cain. - Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
- Upcoming sports schedule
- Tuesday basketball roundup
- Burleson leads AJC superlatives
-
First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
- Venus
-
Fallen deputy Clifton Taylor’s sister, Megan Davis, takes a picture of a painting of her brother on Monday during a dedication to the deputy. The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office renamed its building to the Clifton Taylor Law Enforcement Center in honor of the deputy who lost his life during a disturbance call in April. The picture was painted by Fort Worth artist Gary Crouch. Three pictures were made and one will hang in the Clifton Taylor Law Enforcement Center. The other two paintings were presented as gifts to Taylor’s parents and his fiancee.
-
Never forgotten
The eyes of fallen deputy Clifton Taylor’s family began to swell with tears during a dedication hosted by Johnson County Sheriff Bob Alford and the sheriff’s office.
- Man defends himself against two suspects
- Venus registers minor quake
- USGS registers minor county quake
- Trained rescue dogs look to be adopted and loved
-
Never forgotten
