CAST

Abigail Helsby

Abi has been with Footlights since ye olde days, and was in the very first Footlights show - Taking the Minnie, our genderbending Disney revue.

She fondly (?) remembers overcoming her lisp to master the tongue-twisting line “the only fixer-upper fixer that can fix a fixer-upper” in the song ‘Fixer Upper’ you’ve all forgotten was in Frozen.

Her favourite role she’s played with Footlights has been “cast member” - truly she just loves being onstage (and offstage) with her Footlights Family.

What’s something fun people might not know about Footlights? 

Footlights runs on cups of tea - so much so that we have a travelling tea set, complete with kettle, that we take between rehearsal venues! When we rehearsed two shows at once, we bought a second kettle rather than risk anyone missing out on a cuppa.

Alex Rabina

Alex's first show was Monty Python's Spamalot in 2017 where he loved playing the Black Knight and recreating the iconic “Tis but a flesh wound!” scene on stage, complete with detachable limbs (which often malfunctioned!)

Alex’s favourite role with Footlights was Mister Bungee from A New Brain, the unhinged children's show character in a silly frog costume. He was able to fully send it and absolutely devour the scenery.

What’s something fun people might not know about Footlights? 

Alex’s passion/obsession with vintage cameras led to many cameras from his collection being used as props for the media ensemble in Soho Cinders.

Cassandra Tse

Cass was part of the original Footlights troupe who put on Taking the Minnie. Her favourite memory from that show was when an audience member, moved by Isaac’s stunning performance of ‘Reflections’ from Mulan, shouted “Sweet solo bro!” mid-song.

Cass loved playing Elizabeth in If/Then, with both the challenge of playing two versions of the same character and remembering very important glasses swaps every scene change. She also appreciated that the show was written for Idina Menzel which meant every song ended with a solid B flat belt (very nice for a mezzo to reach!)

What’s something fun people might not know about Footlights? 

Footlights shows always end with a little ceremony in which the production team, crew and band get special thanks for their input in the production and a wee treat, which is usually a block of those fancy Whittakers chocolates – they are free to choose from a variety of flavours. At some point we decided to peer pressure all the recipients into choosing black doris plum flavour by chanting “DORIS PLUM” at them every ceremony. This must never change.

Corey Moir

Corey’s first footlight show was Soho Cinders, a switch up on the traditional Cinderella story. He remembers the show fondly as it was his first step back into Musical Theatre after 2-3 years away from it. The stand out part would be dancing in a laundry in shiny blue boxers.

Playing Daryl in Bright Star was a blast with the character being Corey in a nutshell. A slightly sassy sarcastic office stooge. A great chance to ham it up every night fishing for laughs.

What’s something fun people might not know about Footlights? 

Footlights loves to hoard bits and pieces from previous shows. In fact, 10 years in, they had a very therapeutic and successful garage sale moving some original props and costumes onto other homes.

Ed Blunden

Ed’s first Footlights show was Rent in 2015. His fondest memories from the show include getting the entire cast on the stage at Fringe Bar to sing ‘La Vie Boheme’ at the afterparty and meeting people who would become lifelong friends. 

Thank You, Ten will be Ed’s 16th show with Wellington Footlights (18th if you include playing in the band for Soho Cinders or stage managing Bright Star) and he has been very fortunate to play a variety of roles alongside some of his favourite people. 

What’s something fun people might not know about Footlights? 

Whilst Ed was playing Paul in the 2019 production of Company, he got to take a Polaroid at the end of the eponymous number and gave the on stage pictures to the cast members at the end of the show.

Ellie Stewart

Ellie’s first show was the inaugural Taking the Minnie.

Her fondest memory is of her friends’ unexpectedly complimentary response to her performance of ‘Be Prepared’ from The Lion King.

Ellie loved playing Rona Lisa Peretti in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. The role was extremely silly, including being allowed to improvise jokes along with Mike Bryant, but also very fun to sing.

Describe Thank You, Ten in ten words

Unusually and exceedingly peculiar and altogether quite impossible to describe.

Emerson McMartin

Emerson's first Footlights show was Bright Star last year. He fondly remembers warming up pre-show to Hannah Montana's timeless classic ‘Hoedown Throwdown’.

What’s something fun people might not know about Footlights? 

During Bright Star rehearsals, the baby was played by a stuffed bear called Leopold in a little sweater. Friend shaped :)

Emily K Brown

Emily's first Footlights Show was Silver Linings.

Her favourite memory from this show was getting to sing while she watched the stunning choreography in ‘Anchor Me’.

Emily's favourite role from Footlights would have to be directing 35mm: A Musical Exhibition. This  show has been a favourite for years. Being trusted to just run with some very ambitious material and technical aspects was such a fun challenge and she is grateful for the trust Footlights and the cast and crew put in her to carry out this vision.

Describe Thank You, Ten in ten words

Celebrating the past and looking forward to a bright future! 

Helena Savage

Helena’s first show was If/Then in 2019. Fondest memory was making all of these new like-minded pals but core memory from this show was running to get in the “shop window” scene during a quick change and not having enough time to change and ended up standing there in a singlet sweating profusely.

Favourite role within a Footlights show so far is a 50/50 split with Joanne in Company and Nicely NicelyJohnson in Guys and Dolls. Both times being partnered with the ever hilarious Mike Bryant as a dynamic comedy duo. What’s not to love? 

What’s something fun people might not know about Footlights? 

The baby crying in 2023 Brightstar? You’d be forgiven for thinking Footlights had stolen someone’s newborn but it was, in fact, Helena. She is still asked to make the noise on a monthly basis by cast and friends alike and is thinking about charging for it. 

Jonathan Howes

Jono's first official show was Bright Star in 2023. He's looking forward to performing in more shows and getting some serious singing done. 

Jono loves playing the comic relief. He hasn't played a lead role in Footlights but his favourite role in the past so far was Mr. Collins in a Pride & Prejudice musical

In ten years time when we do “Where Are They Now?” where will you be? 

Turning 40 and still feeling 20. The year is 2035 the little penguin/korora uprising has begun and the prime minister has declared all fish be distributed to them as payment

Karen Anslow

Karen’ first show was Rent. She remembers the fits of giggles whenever the cast inevitably screwed up the timing on the last note of the finale.

Karen's favourite role was Mimi in A New Brain. She was just the right amount of crazy, like all good Mum roles, with throwing books and giving looks.

What’s something fun people might not know about Footlights? 

Footlights is largely populated by DnD players. Gossip overhead at breaks may actually be about their characters rather than real people.

Kirsty Huszka

Kirsty’s first Footlights show was Taking the Millennium - she loved the big ensemble numbers, and how welcoming and fun everyone was.

TY10 will be Kirsty’s ninth Footlights show she has performed onstage in, with her favourite role being Elle Woods in Legally Blonde.

Describe Thank You, Ten in ten words

Decade of musical highlights from Footlights, reimagined in exciting ways.

Letitia Garrett

Letitia’s first show with the Footlights was The Rising Sun - part of the four show Footlights Festival Heart + Music in 2017! Letitia’s favourite part of any show is getting to know the cast and crew, and making new friends. 🙂

Thank You, Ten will be Letitia’s 9th show with the Footlights!

Describe Thank You, Ten in ten words

Celebrating a decade of fun, friendship, acting and sweet harmonies

Margaret Hill

Margaret’s first Footlight’s show was Pippin. Her favourite memory from that was how the whole cast and crew absorbed the many challenges and changes thrown their way through the rehearsals and performances (change of venue, reblocking the whole show, illness, injury) and conjured up an amazing piece of theatre.

Margaret’s favourite role so far was dancing ‘Leave Luanne’ in 35mm: A Musical Exhibition. Getting to bring the audience along every night on Luanne’s journey was enthralling. Vengeful swamp wraith (™) for life!

In ten years time when we do “Where Are They Now?” where will you be?

Making wonder and magic on stage with good friends.

Michael Stebbings

Michael’s first show was the inaugural Taking the Minnie.

His fondest memory of Minnie is how much fun we all had onstage during ‘Zero to Hero’ and  ‘Fixer Upper’, especially getting to perform with Abi. Oh, and also getting to play Mary Poppins in ‘Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious’.

Picking a singular favourite is impossible, but highlights have definitely included Roger in A New Brain, as well as MDing Legally Blonde and Chess.

What’s something fun people might not know about Footlights? 

Footlights is based on Michael’s home society in the UK, which has been running for 85 years and will be performing their 170th show in November! In addition, while there are multiple ‘Footlights’, and the Cambridge Footlights is probably the most famous (alumni including Stephen Fry, Emma Thompson, Hugh Laurie, etc), Wellington Footlights is more specifically named after Exeter Footlights Society, the musical theatre society at Michael’s undergrad university.

Mike Bryant

Mike's first official Footlights show was Taking the Minnelli in 2015, but he did front of house for Pippin before that and he attended the after parties for both previous shows, so he considers himself involved from the start.

Mike loves playing the villain and he's been lucky enough to get ample opportunity to do that in Footlights. His favourite role was probably Professor Callahan in Legally Blonde, or Doug Panch in The 25th Annual Putnum County Spelling Bee. He also loved getting to play Richard in his all-time favourite musical A New Brain.

What’s something fun people might not know about Footlights? 

In 2015 Mike had a tiny bit too much to drink and drunk-posted in the Wellington Footlights group, calling it “Footlocker”, which has become a sort-of unofficial nickname among the members.

Ollie Levy

Ollie's first show with Footlights was Bright Star. He really enjoyed the accent challenge and getting to work with this crazy crew.

Describe Thank You, Ten in ten words

Laudable, igniting the stage with graceful movements and class.

Siobhan Raisbeck

Siobhan’s first Footlight’s show was The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, part of 2017’s Heart + Music festival.

Her favourite memory is the audience’s reaction to her iconic bee suit every night.  

Siobhan’s favourite role was Sidesaddle in 2021’s Soho Cinders. Getting to belt while riding a rickshaw on stage was something she never thought would be on her bucket list, but she is eternally grateful she’s managed to tick that off! 

Describe Thank You, Ten in ten words

How the heck did all that happen in ten years?!

Stanford Reynolds

Stanford’s first show with Footlights was Guys and Dolls in 2021. He put a lot of time into learning the harmonies and the dances, and was delighted when he started getting them right.

Directing Bright Star last year was stimulating and fulfilling, but Stanford’s favourite role on stage has to have been playing the MC in Speakeasy, which was pure fun (and a moment of blind panic after breaking a vibraslap on stage).

In ten years time when we do “Where Are They Now?” where will you be?

In 10 years, Stanford will be getting cancelled on Tweeter (formerly known as X, formerly formerly known as Twitter), for casting himself in the lead role of shows he is directing on Broadway. Others on the audition panel defend him, saying “Nobody else was as good!”

Alternatively, still struggling to learn to play the ukelele and bothering his cat in the process.

Ukiah Reynolds

Ukiah first performed with Footlights in Bright Star last year. He has loved getting to know all of the wonderful people in the Footlights family, especially when dinner, karaoke, or late night ice cream runs are involved!

Ukiah loved getting to be the bartender in ‘Another Round’ in Bright Star, especially with his surprise flute solo at the end of the dance break. This will be Ukiah’s second show with Footlights.

Describe Thank You, Ten in ten words

Fabulously

Originative

Outstanding

Thespians

Lovingly

Immortalise

Gorgeous

Historic

Tuneful

Shows