"See How They Run" Feb. - March 1960
By Philip King, Directed by Joy Kittrell
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Lewis, Joy Kittrell: (Director) Wolfe, Orr |
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From The Aberdeen Daily World, Friday Feb. 26, 1960
The Driftwood Players invitational performance of Paul King's play, "See How They Run," directed by Joy Kittrell and presented last night to a responsive audience at the Driftwood Playhouse in Cosmopolis quite jolted our "give-me-the-good-old-days-on-the-Harbor" routine.
The Driftwood playhouse, although much work remains to be done, bids fair to provide the community with an up-to-date artistic center. We are still slightly dizzy with excitement.
Five clergymen raced madly through zany antics with much zest, and three charming women cavorted with them. It all sounds very simple, but the arena-type stage with the audience on the same seating level on three sides gives an intimacy beyond description. Those seated in the front rows had a feeling they were part of the cast, for all of the actors bounced in and out through the aisles as cozy as can be.
JERI EDWARDS TOPS
As a reviewer, we must get right in there and raise a question by selecting our favorite when the whole cast was superb. We pick Jeri Edwards, who played Miss Skillon, an old maid with the best of intentions who ran afoul of the demon rum. Miss Edwards, in real life young and most attractive, dressed in a ghastly British tweed suit and shoes to match, gave an extremely convincing portrayal of the do-gooder wronged by fate.
The cockney maid, portrayed by Margaret Orr, also was an audience favorite and her work was excellent. Beautiful Loretta Koehler deserves superlatives. As an American actress wed to a vicar, she romped through her role with professional ease.
Veteran thespians Louis Talcott and Richard Robson, talented Richard Lane and capable John Wolfe did well by the clergy. Tony Daniewicz, as a corporal and clergyman, almost stole our raves from Jeri Edwards. Merna Richards, off-stage as Willie Briggs, doubtless worked hard but will go unsung.
Jim Lewis was adequate as the law, though he operated under a unique handicap, for no one really wanted him to solve matters. It would only end a delightful comedy. The setting merits some mention, for the Episcopal rectory parodied the peculiarly uncomfortable style of British interior decor.
THEATER DEDICATED
Prior to the performance, an informal dedicatory ceremony was conducted with Edward P. Smith, president of Grays Harbor college, and Kenneth Walker, president of the board of directors of the playhouse, each speaking briefly.
John Ashby Conway of Seattle gave the dedicatory speech. He cited the playhouse as a possible center for more than dramatic productions advising it could be used for style shows, art exhibits or box socials. He suggested the community would profit by the forming of a municipal art commission such as Seattle has. Mr. Conway, who was accompanied by his wife, is a long-time member of the University of Washington drama department and known throughout the Pacific Northwest for his varied activities in the theater.
In closing, we must give some practical advice. Prepare to freeze while you wait for the performance to begin, because the heating system in the Driftwood playhouse sorely needs an angel. Be prepared, also to shed any extra clothing you might have donned, as the antic mood of the cleverly done, "See How They Run" warms your very heart and stirs you to new pride in your community.
The play will be presented to the general public at 8:15 o'clock tonight and tomorrow night, and again next Friday and Saturday.
Home Driftwood Players Inc. Webmaster Larry Tingwall
