The Baker University Theater Department will perform “What the Butler Saw,” a fast-paced comedy with dark humor and content, Thursday-Sunday in Rice Auditorium.

Director Patti Heiman said the play takes place in a psychiatric hospital, specifically in the office of the psychiatrist who runs the hospital, Dr. Prentice.

“There are a few hints in the very beginning of what story will come out in the very end,” Heiman said. “This is all a lot of fun, but the darker comedy comes if you look closely. We talk about double incest, sexual assault, among other things, yet we have a happy ending.”

The play was first performed in the late 1960s and was harshly criticized by its first audience because its content was not considered publicly acceptable.

Heiman thought this play would be a challenge for the theater students and, if done correctly, would reflect the cleverly dark humor of the farce.

Sophomore MacKenzie Sammons, who is working behind the scenes, said that the actors have been preparing for the play for more than a month.

One of the actors recently dropped out of the play, so Associate Professor of Theater Tom Heiman will fill in as Dr. Prentice. Given the short amount of time he will have to prepare, he will likely be using a script during the performances.

“This is definitely a PG-13 play due to the topics and adult humor,” Patti said. “The language isn’t an issue, it’s just the topics that might not be suitable for a younger audience.”

The play opens at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and will run at the same time on Friday and Saturday. The last showing will be at 2 p.m. Sunday.