Fountain Square Players is bringing an Aussie feel to Bowling Green with the opening of its newest production, “Down An Alley Filled with Cats.”

The production runs at 8 p.m. tonight through Saturday and at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Phoenix Theater. Admission is $12 for adults and $10 for seniors and students. The show is recommended for adult audiences 18 and up, said Miliska Knauft, assistant director of the play.

The play is set in an Australian bookstore that old-time proprietor Timothy Timmony, played by Dr. Bill Russell, owns in an area that is being redeveloped.

“The bookstore is the last store standing,” Knauft said.

During the play, Simon Matthews, played by Bill Leonard, comes into the shop looking for a specific book that has the clue to an item he is looking for. He finds that his archenemy purchased the book, and just as he discovers this news, he and Timmony are locked in the building for the night.

“What you see happening is both of these men maneuvering back and forth, wondering what is the item and where it is located because it is valuable,” Knauft said. “And each character tries to up the other. There’s suspense, mystery and definitely humor.”

The production directed by Kathy Leonard, who selected the play.

“The title caught (Leonard’s) attention - which is a part of a poem that the bookstore owner will read during the play,” Knauft said.

Knauft said the production’s uniqueness lies in the challenge of the two characters - Matthews and Timmony.

“I’m 75 years old and opportunities for roles of men who are 75 are far and few between ... I thought that I could do it,” Russell said. “(Timothy) is an interesting old fellow. His story is he went to Australia as a refugee from Germany ... and his story unfolds as the play goes on.”

“It’s a lot of twist and turns,” Knauft said. “When you think you’ve figured it out, something happens and then you’re not sure.”

“Through the night, it’s a cat and mouse game,” Russell said. “You’re swung back and forth by the playwright all the way to the end, which is neat.”

Knauft said while it has been a challenge, everything has come together nicely. She said the stage is set, the lights are up and they are definitely looking forward to the play.

“Everybody at the end will have a different opinion of what happens next,” Knauft said. “It’s interesting because of the mystery ... I think the playwright intended it to be that way.”

— For tickets or more information, call 782-3119 or visit www.fountainsquareplayers.org.