THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 7, 1996 TAG: 9604050202
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Theater Review
SOURCE: BY IDA KAY JORDAN, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 45 lines
The director of a British farce opening April 19 at Portsmouth Little Theater describes the play as ``a scream.''
``See How They Run,'' by Philip King, is a romp through a rural English vicarage that is ``rollicking good humor,'' says director Jim Luker.
A resident of Great Bridge in Chesapeake, Luker is usually on the bright side of the footlights.
``This is my first directing effort since my summer-stock days in the mid-'50s. I enjoy acting too much to direct all the time, but it is fun to see what you can do with a show.''
Since he moved here from Birmingham, Ala., less than three years ago, Luker has been cast in 10 shows at Generic Theater, Norfolk Little Theater, Virginia Beach Little Theatre and Actors Theater and in two Shakespeare plays, ``Taming of the Shrew'' and ``Romeo and Juliet.''
``I've also made commercials and training films. I simply like to act.''
When he's not acting, Luker writes novels and poetry - and says he's received three Golden Glove Awards for poetry.
``See How They Run'' takes place in a vicarage outside London. The cast includes an American actress and actor, a Cockney maid, an old maid and four men in clergy suits, one of them an escaped convict.
The players include Dot Paisley, a British-born resident of Norfolk; Wade Brinkley, also of Norfolk; Dr. Al Aymer and Jim Di Munno of Portsmouth; Dan Cantwell of Newport News; Ronn Norris of Chesapeake; and Kathy Ecobichon, Robert Wilson and Tammie Soccio of Virginia Beach. MEMO: Portsmouth Little Theater productions are staged at Woodrow Wilson
High School, formerly Manor High. Show times are 8 p.m. April 19-20,
26-27; 2 p.m. April 21 and 28.
General admission is $7; students, senior citizens and enlisted
military, $6. Group prices also are available. For information, call
488-7866.
by CNB