Both 17, William and Bethany are perfectly cast to star in the hit musical 'Footloose', which is set to rock The Lights from 30th November - 3rd December 2022.

"As soon as it was announced I knew I wanted to be involved.  Although the dancing has been tricky!" says Will. "I've really enjoyed the process of learning to dance and put in a lot of effort to make it look as natural as possible!" So it's no surprise that Will, who will be going on to study Vocal Musical Performance at the Royal Conservatoire, was cast as Ren McCormick, the teenager from Chicago who finds himself at odds with most of the town of Bomont, including the Reverend Shaw-Moore, who is the father of his love interest, Ariel.   

The break out stars of the show, in their first lead roles are appearing in their first adult production together and after the unexpected break for COVID...it has been a long wait.  

"I've been involved with Starlights since their first production and so I always wanted to be involved" Bethany mentions.  I love to dance and thought Ariel was a really cool character.  It's been an intense character to play, plus she's very confident."

Both William and Bethany agree that their favourite scenes are some of the most emotional points of the show.  "The show deals with some serious topics and Ariel's character goes through a lot of emotive issues,   especially the scenes with my Dad." 

Will agrees "Some of the most poignant parts of the show are some of the more simple scenes between the characters and we've worked really hard on making these as powerful as possible."

However, despite some of the more emotional parts of the show, there is lots of fun to be had with classic 80's hits including Holding Out for a Hero, Almost Paradise, Let’s Hear It For The Boy and of course the unforgettable title track Footloose.

​"It is such a fun show, everyone is loving the songs and the dancing.  It's a really fun and emotional show". mentions Bethany.  "There are songs everyone will know and will be tapping their foot to for sure" says Will.  

Tickets are still available for the show, performing between Wednesday 30th November - Saturday 3rd December (7:30pm) with a matinee on Saturday 3rd December (2:30pm).  To book your tickets now, go to The Lights Box Office at www.thelights.org.uk or call 01264 368368.   



​

"I've been in the society 10 years and this is my second time playing a vicar...I've been told this role is particularly suited to me as he's a very serious and grumpy man, I just don't want to become typecast!" Martin exclaims with a smile and his tongue very much in his cheek.

Martin is a stalwart of AMTC and has previously played a vicar in Witches of Eastwick, alongside a variety of other characters from Mr Bumble in Oliver,  Mr Mushnik in Little Shop of Horrors and most recently, King Arthur in Spamalot.  After taking a break due to lockdown and helping as Stage Manager in subsequent shows, Martin was eager to get back on stage in 'Footloose', which see's both the adult and their youth company 'Starlights' come together to bring this production to life.

This time though, Martin is transforming from his day job as a headmaster to play Reverend Shaw Moore, the central figure of Bomont and a key character to the story.

"Reverend Moore is a very serious character who has tried to bury his sons grief.  It requires him to be very serious throughout the show, and you see him go on a real journey.  I have some really great scenes with many of the characters such as Becky Rungen who is playing my wife Vi and some really nice dialogue with Ariel, my daughter played by Bethany Griffiths, and then Ren, played by William Swinnerton, too. I usually play roles with a bit more singing and a bit less dialogue, so remembering all of my lines has been the biggest challenge this time around!"

With not long left to go until opening night and the final rehearsals under way, Martin comments "It's going really well and everything is coming together now.  It is going to be a brilliant show, you need to make sure you don't miss this one!"

Tickets are now on sale for Footloose at The Lights, on between Wednesday 30th November - Saturday 3rd December (7:30pm) with a matinee on Saturday 3rd December (2:30pm).  To book your tickets now, go to The Lights Box Office at www.thelights.org.uk or call 01264 368368.