The Footlights’ annual tour show comes with big expectations. After a two-week main show run at the ADC Theatre – a serious feat for any sketch show – they go on to tour the UK, Edinburgh and America. A lot rests on this for the five members of the troupe: Sarah Creedy Smith, Guy Emanuel, Sam Grabiner, Jordan Mitchell and Rob Oldham.

Sarah Creedy Smith, Guy Emanuel, Sam Grabiner, Jordan Mitchell and Robert OldhamJordan Mitchell

All five performers were impressive, producing varied characters with ease. Sarah Creedy Smith stood out on many occasions, particularly as the embarrassing mother figure. I found Jordan Mitchell to be the most consistently funny, often coming across with great sincerity despite the absurdity of the situation. Both Guy Emanuel and Sam Grabiner tended to rely on exaggerated caricature, although some ridiculous and hilarious facial expressions and gestures did add some variety. The five of them had great charisma as a group, playing off one another in increasingly creative ways, a testament to Tom Fairbairn’s direction. 

The sketches were, for the most part, very funny; some were nevertheless too long and a couple were entirely unnecessary. Occasionally, they made a point of selecting the transition music between sketches, which provided a few chuckles but otherwise felt like filler material. Three very nostalgic bits – a sleepover with a midnight feast, a conker fight and an eight-year old’s birthday party – were my favourites. Many scenes were very cleverly written, the dialogue itself thoroughly funny, particularly a short segment about David and Goliath and an extended skit with a guitar salesman. 

Unfortunately, there were multiple technical errors. Sound cues were missed and lights went wrong, which was a shame as much of the lighting design was very thoughtful. Some scenes seemed particuarly under-rehearsed, with props and costumes going wrong, particularly two one-man-band outfits. The breadth of props they had was impressive, surprising even, given that they have to go on to tour.

Overall, this is a very funny show; it is enjoyable, clever and fun. They do, however, still need to do some work. A key tenet of comedy is timing, which felt lacking at this stage. Parts that were clearly meant to seem spontaneous instead felt wooden and recited. This said, there is real potential in this production and in a week it could be truly fantastic.