Cambridge Footlights Revue
Encyclopedia
The Cambridge Footlights Revue is an annual revue
by the Footlights Club
- a group of comic writer-performers at the University of Cambridge
. Two of the more notable revues are detailed below.
in London on 10 July 1963. Unfortunately, the revised title sometimes confused audiences, as it was not actually playing at Cambridge Circus
itself. "Cambridge Circus" then toured New Zealand in July and August 1964, where they recorded a television special and four radio shows which were eventually broadcast in November and December 1964.
Following their successful New Zealand tour, "Cambridge Circus" transferred to Broadway
in September 1964 and finally Off-Broadway.. The revue was broadcast on television in the United States when the cast made an appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show
during October 1964, featuring some of the sketches.
The show was written by, and starred, Tim Brooke-Taylor
, Graham Chapman
, John Cleese
, David Hatch
, Bill Oddie
, Chris Stuart-Clark and Jo Kendall
. Also in the original cast was Tony Buffery
, who later became an experimental psychologist. Jonathan Lynn
also later joined the cast. As well and writing and acting in the revue, Bill Oddie also wrote the music for the revue. Graham Chapman took over from Tony Buffery when he left the revue to pursue an academic career.. Likewise, Jonathan Lynn took over from Chris Stuart-Clark when Stuart-Clark left to become a schoolteacher.
This revue is a notable part of British television history because it includes early appearances by John Cleese and Graham Chapman (later members of Monty Python
), as well as Tim Brooke-Taylor and Bill Oddie (later members of The Goodies
), and Jonathan Lynn (later one of the co-writers of Yes Minister
, and Yes, Prime Minister
).
A radio version of the revue was broadcast by the BBC
on 30 December 1963. Originally intended as a one-off special, this went on to become a successful and long-running radio series called I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again
, which premiered in April 1964.
, Hugh Laurie
and Emma Thompson
, all of whom went on to greater fame in the film and television industry.
It was written by Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie with Penny Dwyer
, Kim Harris, Katie Kelly, Jan Ravens
, Paul Shearer
, Tony Slattery
, Emma Thompson. It is performed by Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, Tony Slattery, Paul Shearer, Emma Thompson, and Penny Dwyer. Additional material by Anthony Berendt, Greg Brenman, Dave Meek, Neil Mullarkey
, Greg Snow, Nick Symons and Sandi Toksvig
. The music is written by Steven Edis with Hugh Laurie and Tony Slattery (the exception being the music in the dracula monologue which is Francis Poulenc
's Concerto for Organ, Strings and Timpani in G minor). The director was Jan Ravens
.
Revue
A revue is a type of multi-act popular theatrical entertainment that combines music, dance and sketches. The revue has its roots in 19th century American popular entertainment and melodrama but grew into a substantial cultural presence of its own during its golden years from 1916 to 1932...
by the Footlights Club
Footlights
Cambridge University Footlights Dramatic Club, commonly referred to simply as the Footlights, is an amateur theatrical club in Cambridge, England, founded in 1883 and run by the students of Cambridge University....
- a group of comic writer-performers at the University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
. Two of the more notable revues are detailed below.
"A Clump of Plinths" — "Cambridge Circus"
The 1963 revue, entitled "A Clump of Plinths" (later retitled Cambridge Circus), played at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 1963 before opening at West EndWest End theatre
West End theatre is a popular term for mainstream professional theatre staged in the large theatres of London's 'Theatreland', the West End. Along with New York's Broadway theatre, West End theatre is usually considered to represent the highest level of commercial theatre in the English speaking...
in London on 10 July 1963. Unfortunately, the revised title sometimes confused audiences, as it was not actually playing at Cambridge Circus
Cambridge Circus, London
Cambridge Circus is a traffic intersection at the intersection of Shaftesbury Avenue and Charing Cross Road in central London...
itself. "Cambridge Circus" then toured New Zealand in July and August 1964, where they recorded a television special and four radio shows which were eventually broadcast in November and December 1964.
Following their successful New Zealand tour, "Cambridge Circus" transferred to Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
in September 1964 and finally Off-Broadway.. The revue was broadcast on television in the United States when the cast made an appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show
The Ed Sullivan Show
The Ed Sullivan Show is an American TV variety show that originally ran on CBS from Sunday June 20, 1948 to Sunday June 6, 1971, and was hosted by New York entertainment columnist Ed Sullivan....
during October 1964, featuring some of the sketches.
The show was written by, and starred, Tim Brooke-Taylor
Tim Brooke-Taylor
Timothy Julian Brooke-Taylor OBE is an English comic actor. He became active in performing in comedy sketches while at Cambridge University, and became President of the Footlights club, touring internationally with the Footlights revue in 1964...
, Graham Chapman
Graham Chapman
Graham Arthur Chapman was a British comedian, physician, writer, actor, and one of the six members of the Monty Python comedy troupe.-Early life and education:...
, John Cleese
John Cleese
John Marwood Cleese is an English actor, comedian, writer, and film producer. He achieved success at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and as a scriptwriter and performer on The Frost Report...
, David Hatch
David Hatch
Sir David Hatch was involved in production and management at BBC Radio, where he held many executive positions, including Head of Light Entertainment , Controller of BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 4 and later Managing Director of BBC Radio.- Education :He attended St John's School, Leatherhead and...
, Bill Oddie
Bill Oddie
William "Bill" Edgar Oddie OBE is an English author, actor, comedian, artist, naturalist and musician, who became famous as one of The Goodies....
, Chris Stuart-Clark and Jo Kendall
Jo Kendall
Jo Kendall is a British actress.She played Desdemona in a production of Othello at the A.D.C. Theatre, Cambridge in 1962.In August 1963 she appeared in the West End in London, New Zealand and Broadway, in the Cambridge University revue Cambridge Circus directed by Humphrey Barclay, alongside Graham...
. Also in the original cast was Tony Buffery
Tony Buffery
Tony Buffery is a British actor, comedian, and writer – apart from having a career in academic psychology.Buffery got his start in the Cambridge Footlights, but his place in the London Footlights Revue was taken over by Graham Chapman when Buffery chose an academic career over one in...
, who later became an experimental psychologist. Jonathan Lynn
Jonathan Lynn
Jonathan Lynn is an English actor, comedy writer and director. He is best known for being the co-writer of Yes Minister and Yes, Prime Minister.-Personal life:...
also later joined the cast. As well and writing and acting in the revue, Bill Oddie also wrote the music for the revue. Graham Chapman took over from Tony Buffery when he left the revue to pursue an academic career.. Likewise, Jonathan Lynn took over from Chris Stuart-Clark when Stuart-Clark left to become a schoolteacher.
This revue is a notable part of British television history because it includes early appearances by John Cleese and Graham Chapman (later members of Monty Python
Monty Python
Monty Python was a British surreal comedy group who created their influential Monty Python's Flying Circus, a British television comedy sketch show that first aired on the BBC on 5 October 1969. Forty-five episodes were made over four series...
), as well as Tim Brooke-Taylor and Bill Oddie (later members of The Goodies
The Goodies
The Goodies are a trio of British comedians who created, wrote, and starred in a surreal British television comedy series called The Goodies during the 1970s and early 1980s combining sketches and situation comedy.-Honours:All three Goodies now have OBEs...
), and Jonathan Lynn (later one of the co-writers of Yes Minister
Yes Minister
Yes Minister is a satirical British sitcom written by Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn that was first transmitted by BBC Television between 1980–1982 and 1984, split over three seven-episode series. The sequel, Yes, Prime Minister, ran from 1986 to 1988. In total there were 38 episodes—of which all but...
, and Yes, Prime Minister
Yes Minister
Yes Minister is a satirical British sitcom written by Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn that was first transmitted by BBC Television between 1980–1982 and 1984, split over three seven-episode series. The sequel, Yes, Prime Minister, ran from 1986 to 1988. In total there were 38 episodes—of which all but...
).
Sketches
Sketches in the revue included;- Swap a Jest - with Tim Brooke-Taylor and Chris Stuart-Clark as Elizabethan entertainers. Later, with Tim Brooke-Taylor and Jonathan Lynn (who replaced Chris Stuart-Clark).
- Cloak and Dagger sketch - with John Cleese.
- Custard Pie sketch - with Bill Oddie, Tim Brooke-Taylor and Jonathan Lynn demonstating the throwing of custard pies. David Hatch narrated the sketch.
- Judge Not (written by John Cleese) - with John Cleese (as the prosecuting counsel), David Hatch (as the judge), Tim Brooke-Taylor (as Percy Molar - company director of no fixed abode and music-hall comedian), Tony Buffery (as Arnold Fitch - the defendant), and Bill Oddie (as Sidney Bottle - the plaintiff). (Tim Brooke-Tayor and Bill Oddie also appeared in the sketch as ushers).
A radio version of the revue was broadcast by the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
on 30 December 1963. Originally intended as a one-off special, this went on to become a successful and long-running radio series called I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again
I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again
I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again was a BBC radio comedy programme which originated from the Cambridge University Footlights revue Cambridge Circus...
, which premiered in April 1964.
"The Cellar Tapes"
The 1981 revue, entitled "The Cellar Tapes", was broadcast on television in 1982. The revue won the first-ever Perrier Award at the 1981 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. It is a notable part of British television history because it includes early appearances by Stephen FryStephen Fry
Stephen John Fry is an English actor, screenwriter, author, playwright, journalist, poet, comedian, television presenter and film director, and a director of Norwich City Football Club. He first came to attention in the 1981 Cambridge Footlights Revue presentation "The Cellar Tapes", which also...
, Hugh Laurie
Hugh Laurie
James Hugh Calum Laurie, OBE , better known as Hugh Laurie , is an English actor, voice artist, comedian, writer, musician, recording artist, and director...
and Emma Thompson
Emma Thompson
Emma Thompson is a British actress, comedian and screenwriter. Her first major film role was in the 1989 romantic comedy The Tall Guy. In 1992, Thompson won multiple acting awards, including an Academy Award and a BAFTA Award for Best Actress, for her performance in the British drama Howards End...
, all of whom went on to greater fame in the film and television industry.
It was written by Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie with Penny Dwyer
Penny Dwyer
Penelope Rosemary Dwyer was a British comedy writer and performer, noted for being a member of the Cambridge Footlights revue The Cellar Tapes which won the inaugural Perrier Comedy Awards in 1981...
, Kim Harris, Katie Kelly, Jan Ravens
Jan Ravens
Janet "Jan" Ravens is an English actress and impressionist, famous for her voices on Spitting Image and Dead Ringers.-Early life:...
, Paul Shearer
Paul Shearer
Paul Shearer is a British actor who is best known as a member of the Fast Show team. His best-known roles on that programme are as a newscaster and a variety show host on the European television parody sketch 'Chanel 9'....
, Tony Slattery
Tony Slattery
Anthony Declan James "Tony" Slattery is an English actor and comedian who has appeared on British television regularly since the mid 1980s, most notably as a regular on the Channel 4 improvisation show Whose Line Is It Anyway? As a film actor, both comedic and serious, his credits include The...
, Emma Thompson. It is performed by Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, Tony Slattery, Paul Shearer, Emma Thompson, and Penny Dwyer. Additional material by Anthony Berendt, Greg Brenman, Dave Meek, Neil Mullarkey
Neil Mullarkey
Neil Mullarkey is an English actor, writer and comedian.Mullarkey studied at Robinson College, Cambridge; while he was there he was Junior Treasurer of the Cambridge Footlights in the academic year 1981 to 1982 and was president in the year ending 1983...
, Greg Snow, Nick Symons and Sandi Toksvig
Sandi Toksvig
Sandra Brigitte “Sandi” Toksvig is a Danish comedian, author and presenter on British radio and television.-Career:...
. The music is written by Steven Edis with Hugh Laurie and Tony Slattery (the exception being the music in the dracula monologue which is Francis Poulenc
Francis Poulenc
Francis Jean Marcel Poulenc was a French composer and a member of the French group Les six. He composed solo piano music, chamber music, oratorio, choral music, opera, ballet music, and orchestral music...
's Concerto for Organ, Strings and Timpani in G minor). The director was Jan Ravens
Jan Ravens
Janet "Jan" Ravens is an English actress and impressionist, famous for her voices on Spitting Image and Dead Ringers.-Early life:...
.
Sketches and songs
The order of sketches and songs featured in the revue is as follows.- A melodramatic opening credit sequence featuring all of the cast members running through the woods in slow motion in a manner reminiscent of the film Chariots of FireChariots of FireChariots of Fire is a 1981 British film. It tells the fact-based story of two athletes in the 1924 Olympics: Eric Liddell, a devout Scottish Christian who runs for the glory of God, and Harold Abrahams, an English Jew who runs to overcome prejudice....
. - Two short blackoutBlackout gagA blackout gag is a term mainly used in broad, rapid-fire, slapstick comedy to describe a manner in which a gag or joke is executed. The term is derived from burlesque and vaudeville, when the lights were quickly turned off after the punchline of a joke to accentuate it and/or allow for audience...
-type sketches, the first with a lone radio announcer (Hugh Laurie) cryptically asking, "Is there anybody there?... Is there anybody there?...," then, "This is Radio 3BBC Radio 3BBC Radio 3 is a national radio station operated by the BBC within the United Kingdom. Its output centres on classical music and opera, but jazz, world music, drama, culture and the arts also feature. The station is the world’s most significant commissioner of new music, and its New Generation...
, is there anybody there?" and the second set at a disco where an apparently enthusiastic dancer (Tony Slattery) lures a girl (Penny Dwyer) onto the dance floor in order to steal her chair. - A sketch about a Shakespeare masterclass ("an actor prepares"), where a teacher (Stephen Fry) with delusions of grandeur gives pretentious, nonsensical acting advice to his eager student (Laurie).
- A sketch about a chess tournament, with an experienced Russian champion (Paul Shearer) beaten by a clueless beginner (Slattery) who chooses moves that constitute a brilliant strategy despite not knowing the names of the pieces or the rules of the game.
- A monologue about DraculaDraculaDracula is an 1897 novel by Irish author Bram Stoker.Famous for introducing the character of the vampire Count Dracula, the novel tells the story of Dracula's attempt to relocate from Transylvania to England, and the battle between Dracula and a small group of men and women led by Professor...
read by Fry, consisting largely of puns and wordplay. ("Tell me, what blood type are you?" "A?" "I said, what blood type are you?" "O!" I said. "B.") - A sketch with Slattery and Laurie as two privileged would-be revolutionaries, featuring their performance of the song "If You Can't Smoke It, Kick It to Death," which has the refrain, "They hate you/Everybody hates you/You better look out behind you to see them stabbing you between the eyes".
- A sketch with Emma Thompson as Juliana Talent, a West EndWest End theatreWest End theatre is a popular term for mainstream professional theatre staged in the large theatres of London's 'Theatreland', the West End. Along with New York's Broadway theatre, West End theatre is usually considered to represent the highest level of commercial theatre in the English speaking...
actress accepting an award in the most obnoxious, falsely modest manner possible. ("At this point I'd like to say a very warm 'hello and good luck' to Glenda, who's taking over for me tonight... brave, brave lady...") Shearer plays the presenter who gives her the award. - Another blackout depicting "today in Parliament," which consists of an exterior shot of the building, the voice of Fry calling for order over sounds of unrest, and the voice of Laurie demanding to know why there is "only one monopolies commission."
- A sketch with Fry, Laurie, Slattery and Dwyer, set after dinner in the living room of a couple hosting a father and son. Themes include marital tensions, sexism, and the father's displeasure with his son's acting aspirations and implied homosexuality. The characters also play a game of charades that quickly deteriorates into shouting and name-calling due to Fry's character's ineptitude.
- Slattery singing the song "I'm Going to Shoot Somebody Famous." This is the only non-comedic segment of the revue.
- A last blackout, with Laurie babbling gibberish sounds in the style of someone emphatically arguing a point, and Fry firmly telling him, "Now that's a lot of nonsense, and you know it."
- A sketch with Thompson as a bedridden Elizabeth Barrett and Fry as Robert BrowningRobert BrowningRobert Browning was an English poet and playwright whose mastery of dramatic verse, especially dramatic monologues, made him one of the foremost Victorian poets.-Early years:...
coming to visit her. In ridiculous, affected accents, they have a classically romantic conversation that ends with Browning finally enticing Barrett out of bed (in spite of her feeling "so desperately weak") by promising to "whip [her] senseless." - A choral performance featuring all of the cast members, led by Thompson and Dwyer. The song is a satirical exhortation to join the British MovementBritish MovementThe British Movement , later called the British National Socialist Movement , is a British neo-Nazi organisation founded by Colin Jordan in 1968. It grew out of the National Socialist Movement , which was founded in 1962...
, full of racist and militaristic imagery. The final stanza describes the party's goal:
- Imagine a society with skinheads roaming wild and free
And not a pair of thick lips in sight!
Fumigate the Underground and sterilize the cricket ground,
White hope and white elephant, white wash and white Christmas,
White horse and white rich and white poor,
White dirt and white licorice, white helmets, white truncheons,
White face and white Willy Whitelaw!