Preview by Lizzie Guilfoyle

BRITISH actor Tim Pigott-Smith will join the cast of See How They Run when it opens at the Duchess Theatre on June 29, 2006 (previews from June 20). He will play the Bishop of Lax.

Pigott-Smith has enjoyed a long and distinguished career both on stage and screen.

His screen credits include The Jewel in the Crown and North and South (TV); plus Alexander, The Four Feathers, Gangs of New York, Johnny English and The Remains of the Day (film).

While on stage, he has appeared in The Iceman Cometh, A Christmas Carol, Hecuba, Women Beware Women and Mourning Becomes Electra. He’s shortly to appear as Gary Gauger in The Exonerated at Hammersmith’s Riverside Studios.

Previously Posted: A revival of Philip King’s wartime comedy, See How They Run, will open on June 29, 2006 (previews from June 20) at the Duchess Theatre.

Written in 1942, See How They Run premiered in Peterborough in 1944. It subsequently toured the country three times, before transferring to London – to the Comedy Theatre – in 1945. During its opening night, three doodle bugs fell on the capital.

As well as inspiring the long-running TV comedy series Dad’s Army, See How They Run is generally considered to be the first “English vicar” play.

Set in the idyllic village of Merton-cum-Middlewick, where the inhabitants are preparing for the threatened Nazi invasion, it sees resident nosy-parker, Miss Skillon attempting to expose her beloved vicar’s actress wife who, she’s convinced, is having an affair.

Helping matters along are an escaped German prisoner of war, a handsome actor, the visiting Bishop of Lax, a rotund locum priest and some meddling neighbours.

Nancy Carroll who is currently appearing in the National Theatre’s production of The Voysey Inheritance will star alongside her real-life husband Jo Stone-Fewings. The cast will also include Julie Legrand, Nicholas Blane, Adrian Fear, Natalie Grady, Chris MacDonnell and Nick Rowe.

See How They Run will be directed by Douglas Hodge in what will be his West End directing debut. His other directing credits include Dumb Waiter and Other Pieces (Oxford Playhouse), Pacha Mama’s Blessing (Almeida and Edinburgh), and Victoria Station and Forest People (BBC).

His acting credits include Guys and Dolls for which he was Olivier nominated, and Dumb Show at the Royal Court. He’s soon to appear in the title role of Titus Andronicus at Shakespeare’s Globe. Read more

See How They Run follows Breakfast with Mugabe. Read more