CENTERVILLE—Sit back and have a good laugh at CenterPoint Theatre’s production of “See How They Run,” a British farce of mistaken identity, a vicar running around in his underwear and a bit of slapstick antics. 

The title takes a line from the nursery rhyme “Three Blind Mice.” The play is set in 1943 not long after the end of World War II, at a vicarage in Merton-cum-Middlewick. Local vicar, Reverend Lionel Toop and his wife Penelope Toop live in the vicarage along with their Cockney maid Ida.

The first act opens with Penelope, who is a former actress, practicing her singing upstairs but loud enough to float through the whole house. Meanwhile, Lionel is meeting with Miss Skillon, the town gossip who has come to complain about Penelope marching around town in pants and decorating the pulpit at the church (that’s her job) behind her back.

When Penelope comes down to the living room she revels in shocking Miss Skillon as she prances around in her silk pajamas. Lionel is caught in the middle, trying to support his wife but still appease Miss Skillon. 

When Lionel leaves for the night, Penelope’s old friend Corporal Clive Winton stops by and on a whim the two decide to go to the show, “Private Lives” playing in a neighboring town because they were in the play when they used to act together.

Winton is hesitant to go at first because Army regulations prevent him from going out in his uniform. Penelope suggests he wear one of Lionel’s suits, complete with the clerical collar and pretend to be Arthur Humphrey, a visiting vicar who is coming to preach the Sunday sermon at services the following day.

They decide to reenact a scene from the play and while they’re fighting and rolling around on the floor, Miss Skillon returns and sees them. Shocked, she averts her eyes thinking it’s Penelope and her husband Lionel. During the pretend fighting, Penelope’s flying arm hits Miss Skillon knocking her unconscious.

When she wakes up, she starts to drink the cooking sherry and gets drunk. Ida, the silly maid, sticks her out of sight in the broom closet. In the meantime, a German prisoner escapes and turns up at the vicarage. When Lionel returns, the prisoner bops him on the head and takes his clothes as a disguise, making one more reverend to keep track of.

Penelope’s uncle the Bishop of Lax is also due to stop by but arrives early. Humphrey also shows up unexpectedly and chaos ensues with a mix up of who’s who.

The cast delivers over the top characters that add to the fun. Kellie Chapman plays the perfect prim and proper Miss Skillon (TTHS) and manages to act the part of a drunk Miss Skillon, flopping on the couch and passing out on the floor. Niki Waite as Penelope Toop (TTHS) keeps the silliness going as she tries to get everything under control while Matthew Dickerson, as Reverend Lionel Toop (TTHS) runs around in his underwear dazed by the bump on his head.

“See How They Run” is a fast-paced comedy that’s fun for all ages. The show runs through Feb. 26, Monday – Saturday at 7:30 p.m. with select Saturday matinees. Ticket prices range from $29-$45 and can be purchased online at https://centerpointtheatre.org/ or at the box office, 801-298-1302. CenterPoint Theatre is located at 520 N. 400 West, Centerville.