Founded in 2005, the Churcher’s Footlights are a group of intrepid young
actors whose only wish is to produce the best comedies ever made. A modest
bunch, the Footlights cruised onto the scene in 2006 with their debut
performance of Macbeth: The Director’s Cut (written by the Footlights), which
was an instant hit with sell-out audiences for all the performances.


The Footlights took their name from their childhood icons- the Cambridge
Footlights, who were a source of inspiration for the actors. The group,
consisting of Peter Stanley, Tom Morgan, Josh Harris and Max Perman have been
likened to Monty Python in their “insanely refreshing pseudo-comedy,” although
Stanley frequently waves away such praise, insisting, “We didn’t copy Python.
Python copied us.”


But the Footlights have not been without their controversy. Arguments about
scripts often occur, and perfectionist Stanley often finds himself at odds with
other cast members; but none of this has ever deterred the Footlights, who are
still going strong, preparing their next masterpiece for Autumn ’06. Rumour has
it that the Footlights are planning their next stage performance as well as a mini-movie of some sort, although these rumours have yet to be confirmed by a Footlights representative.


What does the future hold for the Footlights? The group, who originate in
Hampshire, England, certainly have the talent and the ambition to go far, it
just remains to be seen whether the Footlights can still act together without
letting quibbles over scripts slow their progress.


Over the course of the year and into early 2007, the Footlights aim to make
people stand up and notice that just about anything can be achieved with an ambition, skill and a bit of audacity. As mentioned in a post-Macbeth interview
by a Footlights representative, “We received a lot of negative comments when we
first started up from people who thought we didn’t have the tenacity to pull off
such a big show as Macbeth. We’ve proved them wrong, and know that if you put
your mind to it, anything is possible.”


An announcement on the next play is expected in early July, but until then, news
and rumours on the Footlights can be found on their official site:
www.churchersfootlights.co.nr

And remember, bring a spoon.

[1241] - A link to the Footlights website