On November 13th, 14th and 15th, Columbus East Performing Arts Department presented See How They Run, A Farce in Three Acts. Set in England in the 1940s, the play followed an American actress, Penelope, who is the wife of the local vicar, Lionel Toop. When an old acting friend of Penelope, Clive, drops in during his military stay in the town, the two decide to see a play they used to perform. However, he must wear an old vicar’s outfit and presume the name of Humphrey, a man who is taking the sermon the next day, to sneak away from his military supervisors. This is the first of many stolen and mistaken identities. By the end of the play, there are four vicars; one of them is an escaped Russian spy, and the only one who knows the truth is being held at gunpoint. This comedy by Philip King was fast-paced and fun for the whole family.

Sarah Harpring, who played the Toops’ maid, Ida, commented on her role.

“My favorite part about my character is that she speaks her mind. She definitely has the most fun. Everyone else is freaking out or scared about the situation and she’s just living it up.”

Harpring, 12, performed her fourth and final fall production at East this weekend.

“The past shows have been kind of serious, which are good, but this one has been so fast-paced. In comparison. It’s been a lot of fun and super up-tempo the whole time. This has definitely been the most exciting. There’s never a dull moment.”

Spencer Knechtel, 12, however, acted for the first time on the East stage with the role of Lionel Toop.

“It’s an interesting experience (acting), it’s like nothing I’ve ever done before. You kind of have to become a different person which I’m not used to. It’s kind of rough at times.”