VIENNA — For the 29th consecutive year, the Vienna Historical Society will present humorous plays which vividly portray the foibles and peccadilloes of small-town life. The performances will take place at 7 p.m., at the Vienna Union Hall on Thursday and Friday, July 28 and 29; and at 2  p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 30.

 “The Dutch Detective” was written by Walter Ben Hare in 1914. Cheryl Herr-Rains, who found a copy of the play in her attic left behind by one of the five generations of Eaton family who had resided in the house, has adapted the play for this year’s performance.

When a pair of newlyweds and a disgruntled father-in-law, two escaped psychiatric patients and the detective tracking them, as well as two women looking for their fiances, all show up at the Readfield Depot train station, it is hard for the local sheriff and lunch-counter proprietress to tell them apart. The sharp wit and unexpected actions in this story make for a hilarious romp.

Someone will come “from away,” two characters will turn out not to be who someone thinks they are, all will probably have a romantic ending, and regardless it will be great fun! It should be added that, as a historical play, some of the stereotypes in this early 1900s comedy remain in the adaptation and the audience may appreciate the changes in attitudes over the past century.

Performers include: Tim Davis, Megan Mooberry-Roberts, Don Peterson, Cheryl Herr-Rains, Courtney Gilman, Chris Crocker, Alice Olsen, Wendy Oakley, Quimby Robinson, musician Maizie Libby, and production assistants Allan Harville, and Dodi Thompson.

The second show of the evening, “Tabby’s TV,” is set at a Vienna farmhouse back in the days when television was a novelty. It was written by Beverly Wight Smith, who plays the role of Tabby and it is directed by Andrea Brann.

The TV was a gift to Tabby from visiting relatives, but it isn’t anything that her bachelor son is at all enthused about, with its snowy picture and neighbors flocking in to see it. He and his new farmhand retire early so as to get up early for work. Meanwhile, Tabby returns home from a musical program at the church with several guests in tow. The restful night that the household is anticipating is disrupted by an unforeseen event.

The next day, an assortment of characters come and go, while in search of romance. Will they find passion in Vienna? Some will definitely find romance, and others will find a one-way ticket out of town.

The cast includes Roger Reville, Matthew Dunn, Steve Mallen, Carole O’Connell, Barbara Gilman, Pat Jones, Judy Dunn, Leona Carpentier, Courtney Gilman, Clyde Dyar, Kitty Gee, Don Warren, Lindsey Smith, Pam Bean, Ashley Emery, and LeviSmith.

Admission is $5 for adults and $2 for children under 12. Refreshments will be sold by the Mill Stream Grange. Come early for good seats.