- June 2017
The Cambridge Footlights International Tour Show is the biggest show of the year. Join ‘the most renowned sketch troupe of them all’ (The Independent) as they embark on another exceptional world tour, performing to over twenty thousand people across two continents. This year's tour travels to London, Edinburgh, California, Las Vegas, Boston, Chicago, New York, Cambridge, and many more. Don’t miss your chance to see the latest on offer from the group that launched many of the greatest names in comedy, including Stephen Fry, Emma Thompson, Mel Giedroyc, John Cleese, Miriam Margolyes, Hugh Laurie, Mitchell and Webb, Richard Ayoade, Olivia Colman, John Oliver and Sue Perkins.
- June 2017
"YOU'RE JOKING. NOT ANOTHER ONE. Oh for God's sake, I can't honestly, I can't stand this. There's too much politics going on at the moment, why does she need to do it?"
Brenda from Bristol, on hearing about the snap panel show now on 8th June
That's right, Buzzcocks is BACK boys!
Come celebrate exercising your democratic vote with your politicised panel pals. We'll be playing all your favourite improvised panel show games now with a general-election theme. (And some new games too, depending on what the campaigns throw at us...) We'll announce the exit poll results, update you with the live feed as it comes through, and try desperately to keep some kind of political balance (ish. Probably not really.)
It's the most important thing you'll do on the 8th June.*
*No but seriously, do vote first. In fact we might have some sort of 'entrance only by proof of having voted thing'. 'Cos then we can throw out the Tories!!!!
(Only joking.) (Or am I.)
- June 2017
The Côte d'Azur town of Beaumont-sur-Mer has provided rich pickings for Lawrence Jameson, schmoozing and seducing amongst the wealthy elite and nouveau riche ladies who gather around the casinos and yacht parties. With generous kickbacks to the local police chief to keep the law on his side, Lawrence happily promises everything but delivers nothing except impossible dreams and lightened purses.
When small-time hustler Freddy Benson starts working the same targets Lawrence sees an opportunity to take on a protégé. However, it soon becomes clear that the town isn’t big enough for the both of them and the two conmen have to agree on a winner-takes-all showdown.
The tunes and the laughs come thick and fast as Lawrence and Freddy try all their best tricks to swindle $50,000 from Christine Colgate, ‘The American Soap Queen’. Who ends up the winner? You’ll have come along and see us to find out in this glitzy, fabulous, sophisticated, lavish and completely hilarious musical comedy extravaganza!
- May 2017
Winner of the Footlights' Harry Porter Prize 2017.
When a young girl is forced to write an essay on "How Did Stalin Rise To Power?", or fail sixth form, she decides to manipulate a boy in the year below into doing it for her. Does it all go to plan, with no disastrous consequences? Come find out!
The Harry Porter Prize is an annual new writing competition for a one-hour comic play set up in memory of the late Dr Harry Porter, Footlights' long term senior archivist. This year the ex-Footlight judge is none other than comedian and writer John Finnemore (Mitchell & Webb, John Finnemore’s Souvenir Programme, Cabin Pressure).
- May 2017
The Lady Smoker is back! Join a stellar line-up of female and non-binary comedians for a night of side-splitting laughter.
- May 2017
Bedroom Farce is a hilarious comedy by legendary British playwright Alan Ayckbourn, set over the course of one night in the bedrooms of three couples: Ernest and Deila, Jan and Nick, and Malcolm and Kate. A fourth couple, Trevor and Susannah are having problems and their presence at Malcolm and Kate's housewarming party is dreaded by all. With Nick stuck in bed, Jan goes alone, but upon seeing Trevor, an old flame, things don't go quite as she planned. Nobody gets much sleep as people end up in and out of each other's bedrooms, in a rib-tickling insight into the private lives of the English.
- May 2017
A year after its debut, Cambridge Shorts returns after three sell-out nights.
Come and see the best that Cambridge film making has to offer.
- May 2017
For one fleeting night, Hot Cross Men are smashing up the ADC stage with some of the loosest, silliest and funniest improvised comedy in Cambridge. These comedy cowboys were fermented in the nourishing womb of the Cambridge Impronauts, before valiantly taming the bucking bronco of student improv with their ever muscular thighs. But after they’d milked every drop of sweet laughter from their audiences, the trinity shattered. Colin went on to act in shows like the Footlights Pantomime and ETG Hamlet by William Shakespeare. Haydn became arguably Footlights vice president. Ted went to London, where he learnt improv from the pros.
But nothing compared to the satisfying nectar of their friendship, so last term the trio was reborn in the IVF lab of Pembroke Cellars. Now they’re better than ever; ready for the ADC, and certainly ready for you. These boisterous beasts have improv oozing from their every hole, and they’re offering you a taste of the action. They’ve got no narrative, no theme, nothing’s planned, and it’s been an ordeal to make sure Ted performs clothed. They’re red hot, Red Cross, red men redemption. Hot Cross Men.
- May 2017
A one-night entente cordiale of stand-up, featuring past, present and future Footlights Ruby and Raph. (Music and lyrics by Cardinal Wolsey).
Previous praise:
‘An intelligent and uproariously funny illustration of everything Cantabrigian comedy can and ought to be’ – TCS, 9/10
'Keane proved herself to be Queen of the call-back' – The Tab, ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
‘This ex-Footlights team will be very hot property in years to come’ – EdFringeReview, ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
‘Yeah Raph's alright I suppose’ – Ruby
- May 2017
Write. Rehearse. Perform.
The Wanderer walks the earth in search of all the dark and strange stories of the world.
In just seventeen hours our teams must write, rehearse and perform their pieces. Will they be able to put on a show that impresses even the weary Wanderer? For one night only the ADC stage will be home to some of the most curious and bizarre tales the student scene can cook up.
- May 2017
The place is Venice. The time is a few years from now. After a period of political and religious upheaval, this once famous city has been submerged by flooding. The world has been thrown into disarray and in Venice two clear groups have emerged: those above the water and those down below. As the former borrow money from Shylock - confined to the submerged Venetian slums - this Jewish matriarch seizes her opportunity for revenge.
Shakespeare’s most divisive play comes to the ADC stage, exploring what happens when society steals all it can.
In a world where the rich make the rules and chaos is the currency, how easy is it to take revenge when you no longer have anything to lose?
- May 2017
Footlights bring you the best sketches, songs and stand-up in an hour of non-stop, back-to-back fun-filled hilarity. The material is always original and always varied. It can be soft and silly, rude and spikey, wordy and nerdy or a little surreal; whatever the style, it's always 'uproariously funny' (Varsity).
And this time, for the FIRST TIME EVER, all the comedians will be from Cambridge's BME community.
We have a very special guest headliner, Cambridge and Footlights alumnus AHIR SHAH. He began doing comedy occasionally at the age of fifteen, and over the course of the last decade his status on the circuit has skyrocketed from "curiosity" to "interloper". Shah's sharp, intellectual brand of stand-up features a blend of philosophical inquiry, political vigour, and sweet gags. Check him out here: http://ahirshah.com/
- May 2017
"They've forgotten when they were young.
And the way they yearned to be free
All they say is the young generation
Is not what they used to be."
Dean Street. Soho. 1958.
The Atlantic club is the heart of seedy, claustrophobic, dirty, drug infested, pill-popping clubbing. Fevers are running high as a gang of misfits sweat it out over the kidnapping of Silver Johnny, a rock star on the road to stardom. Then, when their manager is brutally murdered, the club is placed under siege.
Behind the doors of Ezra’s Atlantic, the visceral dialogue and destructive wit of the characters creates an atmosphere of anarchy and despair.
Butterworth’s blackly comic masterpiece explores dynamics of power, gender and personality. This is a play about damaged people who live life recklessly and without purpose, yet when their world comes crashing down they must come to terms with their loneliness, insecurity and the emotions they’ve been repressing for years.
“You won’t find much better ensemble acting than this, nor a play that so effectively punches the pretentions of a hermetic gangland culture.”
Our production of MOJO will be created entirely by an ENSEMBLE of actors and production crew, working alongside associate directors. We will discover the play together, as a collective, through a fun and intense process of collaborative ensemble work. All actors will be required to attend all rehearsals and production crew will also be brought on board throughout the process.
- May 2017
1 hour. 1 bard. 1 million ways this could go wrong….
Will’s dropped his manuscript of “The Complete Works” and the pages have got muddled. The best of the bard mixed with the scenes that didn't necessarily make the cut. And he only has a week to put a show together…
“The Shakespeare Scrapbook” combines some of the greatest scenes of Shakespeare with spoofs, sketches and silliness to create a night of Renaissance revels.
- May 2017
"Dear Mother.
I do not understand what this war was for."
Based on Sebastian Faulks's international bestselling novel, 'Birdsong' tells the story of a soldier haunted by his past. Trapped in the trenches of the First World War, Stephen Wraysford relives in overwhelming memories his love affair of seven years earlier, when he lived in Amiens during peace-time. As the War unfolds, Stephen finds himself pulled closer and closer back to Amiens, back to the Valley of the Somme.
- April 2017
- April 2017
- April 2017
The Full Monty is a musical with a book by Terrence McNally and score by David Yazbek.
In this Americanized musical stage version adapted from the 1997 British film of the same name, six unemployed Buffalo steelworkers, low on both cash and prospects, decide to present a strip act at a local club after seeing their wives' enthusiasm for a touring company of Chippendales. One of them, Jerry, declares that their show will be better than the Chippendales dancers because they'll go "the full monty"—strip all the way. As they prepare for the show, working through their fears, self-consciousness, and anxieties, they overcome their inner demons and find strength in their camaraderie.
- April 2017
This fast-moving and exciting new stage adaptation of Alexandre Dumas' famous adventure story
effectively captures the novel’s universal themes of hope, justice, vengeance, mercy, and forgiveness.
Edmond Dantes is a young man who has what appears to be the perfect life. About to become the captain
of a ship, he’s engaged to a beautiful and kind young woman, Mercedes, and he’s well liked by almost everyone who knows him. However, this perfect life stirs up dangerous jealousy among some of his so-called friends. Danglars, treasurer of Dantes’ ship, envies Edmond’s early career success; Fernand Mondego is in love with Dantes’ fiancée and so covets his amorous success, while Edmond’s neighbour, Caderousse is simply envious that Dantes is so much luckier in life than him. Together the three men draft a letter falsely
accusing the young man of treason. Arrested on his wedding day, Dantes is brought before the public prosecutor, Villefort who discovers that Dantes’ innocent actions may endanger his own political ambitions. He decides to send Edmond to the notorious Chateau d’If prison, for life.
Many years later Dantes escapes, acquires a fortune and a new identity as The Count of Monte Cristo.
He then sets about taking revenge on those responsible for his false imprisonment ..... with devastating consequences.
- March 2017
- March 2017
‘So, will God be paying child support then?’
An unexpected pregnancy is stressful enough, without the potential parentage being split between God, Satan and an ex who just won’t leave.
This is just the predicament twenty-something year old Dominatrix Mia finds herself in - despite not having had sex for the last eleven and a half months, she is undoubtably pregnant. But who’s the real baby daddy?
Oliver Lansley’s sharp and modern comedy explores notions of religion, responsibilities and relationships in a highly secular generation. Join the refreshingly real Mia as she navigates her predicament - but not without asking some of the religious questions that we all want to know the answer to.
- March 2017
- March 2017
"Now let us assume that you are young, healthy, clear-eyed and eager, anxious to rise quickly and easily to the top of the business world. You can!"
A sharp satirical musical from the writers of the hit "Guys and Dolls", telling the story of window-cleaner J. Pierrepont Finch. Finch discovers the titular book and begins his rise through the World Wide Wickets Company until he becomes an executive of the company. He is sly, manipulative and loveable all at once. A number of other familiar office-types crop up throughout the show, from the big boss' desperate nephew, to a wide range of brainy and seductive secretaries.
A fabulous, all-singing, all-dancing parody of 60s business, fun for all ages.
- March 2017
The finest of Cambridge's musical theatre talent and the finest of Cambridge's improvisational talent join forces for the first time ever to produce an improvised musical of such high quality you won't believe it's not scripted!
Every show is shaped by you, the audience, creating a special musical never seen before and never to be seen again. Everything about the show is completely improvised on the spot, including the melodies, lyrics, harmonies, backing music, characters, storylines, costumes and locations.
With incredible group numbers, stunning choreography, a three-piece band, heart-wrenching duets, powerful solos, catchy tunes, intertwining storylines and a whole lot more, this is not a show you want to miss.
- March 2017
The Cambridge University Show Choir presents a night of bringing together opposites!
Think hot and cold, think with and without you, think of concepts fused togther that normally would just not match. Expect incredible harmonies, cheesy dance moves and fit mash-ups as the Show Choir show off our nationals setlist and take over the ADC for one night only!
- March 2017
“Love is a God, and marriage is but words.”
Arden loves Alice, his wife. Mosbie loves Alice, his lover. Alice thinks she loves Mosbie, and so gambles on a spiralling series of plots to murder her husband. But not all bets go well. Within the glitzy and glamorous world of the 1920s, the events of this Renaissance domestic tragedy will unfold. Be prepared to laugh at Black Will and Shakebag’s disastrous assassination attempts. Be prepared to cry at the beautifully tragic verse of the unknown playwright (identified by some as Shakespeare or Marlowe). Arden of Faversham will invite you into a world ruled by coercion, classism and patriarchy – a world of the 1590s, a world of the 1920s, and a world of today. It will be beautiful, and it will be ugly.
- March 2017
In the West Country, during the Second World War, the preoccupations of adults become those of children, as spitfires swerve through the sky and a little boy's arms become wings. Donald’s father is missing in action, and a klaxon warns that a German prisoner of war is believed to have escaped, but these are the least of the children’s worries.
In Dennis Potter’s tragic and poignant drama, seven seven-year-olds, including the class bully, a just-minded cowboy and a little girl with “many best friends” spend a Summer afternoon together in the woods, playing house and fighting, as all their fears and chimeras are brought to the foreground and their actions become increasingly violent. The very nature of innocence is under fire, and ultimately, the question becomes whether it is even possible for it to exist.
- February–March 2017
The fens, east of Cambridge, have been underwater, drained, and reclaimed. They say its earth is so fertile that if you scoop up a handful you’ll grow three fingers before you throw it down again. Real people make their lives here, but the wild is always close at hand. The stories passed around are of daughters, fathers, lovers, foxes, twins, women, fishers, men.
Fen is a new devised piece based on stories by Daisy Johnson, created in the eery landscapes and dingy rehearsal rooms of Cambridge. It incorporates nature and technology into an immersive, uncanny exploration of the indelible marks a landscape can leave on its people.
- February 2017
The Cambridge University University Musical Theatre Society presents its annual Gala night - a one night extravaganza, complete with solos, chorus numbers, choreography, a full band and a good sprinkling of glitz and glamour. The Gala is guaranteed to be an evening of outrageous fun!
- February 2017
- February 2017
Anna is a teacher at a sixth form college. The death of Jack, an old
boyfriend, has finally stopped troubling her, until one night she begins
receiving texts from the number of his phone. As the texts grow more
sinister, she becomes obsessed with the idea that they are being sent by
Luke, a boy in her class. Paranoid, and feeling unsafe in her own
classroom, she searches for answers, and finds that her life and Luke’s
are entangled in ways that lead her to question: which of them is really
obsessed?
Closer is an original psychological thriller, written by Charlotte Gifford and
directed by Bret Cameron.
- February 2017
Following the sell-out success of last term’s Cambridge Shorts, the ADC’s first ever film screening event is back!
A selection of the best student short films will be screened in one unforgettable night, hosted by Joe Shalom, as part of a unique collaboration with the Cambridge Film Association.
A great way to experience more of the rapidly expanding film scene in Cambridge.
- February 2017
Knock knock, who’s there? Doors. That’s who. Since the very dawn of time, doors have existed to provide easy access between areas that would otherwise be discrete. Many believe that doors predate the dinosaurs, and that the dinosaurs became extinct because they just couldn’t fathom doors. Nowadays, doors are an integral part of our existence, and we have learnt to work with them, rather than against them. That is why the Footlights Spring Revue will feature eleven special doors (as selected via a rigorous audition process) that the Footlights will walk in and out of at various points during the show.
Spring Revue is one of the biggest events in the Cambridge comedy calendar. And this year, the Footlights want to bring you the most exciting and audacious sketch show Cambridge has ever seen.
As the creative culmination of the 2016-17 Footlights Committee, expect a show bursting at the seams with wicked wit, unforgettable characters and even non-complimentary ice cream at the interval.
Don't miss your chance to see this brand new extravaganza from the group that launched many of the greatest names in comedy, including Peter Cook, Emma Thompson, Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, Sandi Toksvig, David Mitchell, Robert Webb, Sue Perkins and Richard Ayoade.
Come on down and see what the Footlights have to offer!
It's going to be big.
- February 2017
The world's first company providing solely Relaxed Performances presents its debut show: Sögur. An array of Scandinavian folklore combined with physical theatre, puppetry, and vivid storytelling will transport you far, far beyond dreary Cambridge on a February afternoon.
Relaxed Theatre Company is devoted to creating accessible theatre for all, both in creative process and spectator experience. Monitoring technical aspects of the show as well as ensuring adapted facilities are available means that we are consistently able to produce an afternoon tailored to any and every individual, regardless of identification with any traits that would make an audience member feel excluded from "normal" theatre. At RTC, everyone is welcome.
Contact us: relaxedtheatrecompany@gmail.com
Visit us: http://relaxedtheatrecomp.wixsite.com/webs
- February 2017
Footlights ' Harry Porter Prize Nominee 2016,
The Guitar Players present BAND, A Play About A Band.
Set in 2016, it follows a day in the life of a five new graduate millennials who have boomeranged back to their parent's houses in the Hampshire village of Micheldever. They are pursuing careers in East London – and preferably Dalston.
The band await a photojournalist from Winchester Daily Echo in Jill's mum's garage. But will she ever arrive?
When asked in a 2015 NME interview who his music idol was, Matty Healy of the 1975 answered: ‘Who should idolize me? David Bowie.’ In sympathy with Matty, Band explores the way social pressures encourage us to construct identity with a motive to appear ‘cool’. In climates such as these, can anyone truly be trusted?
****"Four Stars are in The Sky." (Science)
- February 2017
“Ireland musn’t be such a bad place, so, if the Yanks want to come here to do their filming.”
It’s 1934 in the small island community on Inishmaan, and the gossip is flying because Hollywood director Robert Flaherty is coming to neighboring Inishmore to film his big hit ‘Man of Aran’- and there’s a small chance that some of the locals might get cast. No one is more excited by this opportunity than ‘Cripple’ Billy, who longs to escape from his tedious daily life and the shadow of being defined by his disability.
Martin McDonagh’s pitch black comedy examines an ordinary coming of age story in extraordinary circumstances. This script will simultaneously have you crying with laughter and holding your breath in apprehension. Don’t miss this beautiful homage to Irish story-telling.
