Student theatre and comedy in Cambridge: ADC and Footlights

The stages

The ADC Theatre on Park Street (CB5 8AS) is the centre of student and community theatre in Cambridge. It is a department of the University and calls itself the oldest University playhouse in the country. It is run almost entirely by students, with no Faculty involvement. Productions at the ADC and its sister venue, the Corpus Playroom, are put together entirely by students, from actors and crew to directors and producers. [ADC Theatre (opens in a new tab)] [ADC Theatre (opens in a new tab)]

Plays have been staged on the ADC site since 1855, when the Cambridge University Amateur Dramatic Club (CUADC) was founded and met in the Hoop Inn, which stood almost exactly where the theatre stands now. CUADC still owns the building, which is leased to and run by the University. The ADC lists Ian McKellen, Derek Jacobi, Emma Thompson, Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie among its alumni. Besides the main auditorium, the building has the ADC Bar and the smaller Larkum Studio, which is used for rehearsed readings. [ADC Theatre (opens in a new tab)] [CUADC (opens in a new tab)] [ADC Theatre (opens in a new tab)] [ADC Theatre (opens in a new tab)]

The Corpus Playroom on St Edward's Passage (CB2 3PJ) is owned by Corpus Christi College and managed by the University through the ADC Theatre. It is an L-shaped studio and Cambridge's main fringe space, with a focus on new writing. In term there are normally two shows a night. Corpus Christi's drama society, the Fletcher Players, is the resident company and helps plan its seasons. The Playroom opened in 1979. [ADC Theatre (opens in a new tab)] [ADC Theatre (opens in a new tab)]

Students also perform at the Cambridge Arts Theatre on St Edward's Passage. The Marlowe Society stages an annual production there with a professional director and design team and a student cast and crew. After the Spring Revue, the Footlights host student comedy groups from other universities at the Arts Theatre for two evenings called Footlights and Friends. CUMTS also lists the Arts Theatre among the venues it has used. [Camdram (opens in a new tab)] [Footlights (opens in a new tab)] [CUMTS (opens in a new tab)] [Camdram (opens in a new tab)]

Several colleges have their own theatres. Pembroke New Cellars is the Pembroke Players' main space, a flexible basement studio that seats about 80 to 100. Queens' College drama society BATS uses the Fitzpatrick Hall, which holds 208. Robinson College's Brickhouse Theatre Company runs the 240-seat Robinson Brickhouse Theatre and the open-air Maria Björnson Theatre. Downing Dramatic Society is based in Downing's Howard Theatre, which holds 160. [Camdram (opens in a new tab)] [Camdram (opens in a new tab)] [Camdram (opens in a new tab)] [Camdram (opens in a new tab)]

The main societies

CUADC, founded in 1855, is the oldest student drama society in the country and the resident company at the ADC Theatre. It says it puts on around 20 of its own shows a year and supports more than 50 productions a year in Cambridge, Edinburgh, London and on tour. Membership is open to anyone in higher education who lives in Cambridge and costs £10 for life. Anyone involved in a CUADC-funded show must be a member. [CUADC (opens in a new tab)] [CUADC (opens in a new tab)] [CUADC (opens in a new tab)]

The Cambridge Footlights, founded in 1883, is a student sketch comedy society based at the ADC. Its own history page names former members including Peter Cook, Emma Thompson, Hugh Laurie, Stephen Fry, Olivia Colman, David Mitchell, Robert Webb, Richard Ayoade and John Oliver, and links the society to Monty Python and The Goodies. Its regular shows are the Smokers, the Pantomime with CUADC, a summer Tour Show, the Spring Revue and Footlights Presents. Membership is open to Cambridge and Anglia Ruskin students: applications open each term and are decided by the committee. [Footlights (opens in a new tab)] [Footlights (opens in a new tab)] [Footlights (opens in a new tab)] [ADC Theatre (opens in a new tab)]

The Cambridge University Musical Theatre Society (CUMTS), founded in 1998, is a resident company at the ADC. It puts on at least one show a term, holds Bar Nights (informal musical theatre concerts in the ADC Bar) two or three times a term and takes an original musical to the Edinburgh Fringe every year. SIX began as one of these Fringe shows. CUMTS also produces a Freshers' Musical, written by a student and staged entirely by people new to the ADC. [CUMTS (opens in a new tab)] [CUMTS (opens in a new tab)] [Camdram (opens in a new tab)] [ADC Theatre (opens in a new tab)] [ADC Theatre (opens in a new tab)]

The Marlowe Society is one of Cambridge's oldest student drama societies. It focuses on Elizabethan, verse and non-realist plays. Its main event is the annual Arts Theatre production. It also supports new writing through its HATCH nights in the ADC Bar, a writers' group and the annual Other Prize. The ADC's history page says the Marlowe was founded in 1907 and used the ADC as its base. [Camdram (opens in a new tab)] [ADC Theatre (opens in a new tab)] [ADC Theatre (opens in a new tab)]

The European Theatre Group (ETG) is a student-run company that has toured a Shakespeare play around Europe every December since 1957. A company of about 24 travels by coach with its own lighting, sound, costumes and set, usually through three or four countries over two and a half weeks. It then plays a home run in Cambridge the following January. Derek Jacobi and Trevor Nunn were on the first tour. [ETG (opens in a new tab)] [Camdram (opens in a new tab)]

The Cambridge University Gilbert and Sullivan Society (CUGSS) stages mostly Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, with at least four productions a year. These are a Michaelmas show or cabaret aimed at freshers, a Lent mainshow at West Road Concert Hall, an Easter Term show (often in May Week) and a regular slot at the Minack Theatre in Cornwall. Students in any Cambridge higher education setting, staff and alumni can all take part. [CUGSS (opens in a new tab)] [CUGSS (opens in a new tab)]

Many colleges have drama societies. Examples are the Pembroke Players (founded 1955, based in New Cellars), the Fletcher Players (Corpus Christi, which mainly fund shows at the Corpus Playroom and the ADC), Downing Dramatic Society (which runs a Lent Term Freshers' Play and a Festival of New Writing), BATS at Queens' and Brickhouse Theatre Company at Robinson. Brickhouse says it welcomes students from other colleges. [Pembroke Players (opens in a new tab)] [Camdram (opens in a new tab)] [Camdram (opens in a new tab)] [Camdram (opens in a new tab)] [Camdram (opens in a new tab)]

How to get involved

Camdram (camdram.net) is the listings website for amateur theatre in Cambridge. It is free and run by volunteers. Its Vacancies page lists auditions, production team roles and society funding, and its diary shows what is on each week. CUADC says Camdram is where all Cambridge theatre shows post their adverts. CUADC also runs mailing lists for general news, acting, tech, directing, producing and writing. [Camdram (opens in a new tab)] [Camdram (opens in a new tab)] [CUADC (opens in a new tab)]

There are no central auditions: each show holds its own, all year round. Most take place at the ADC, the Corpus Playroom, a college room or by video call, and self-tapes are often accepted. Directors usually post extracts with the audition listing, and you are not expected to learn them by heart. For musicals, prepare a song and bring sheet music if you have it. CUADC's Actors' List email goes out twice a week with current opportunities. [ADC Theatre (opens in a new tab)] [CUADC (opens in a new tab)]

The ADC employs no regular production crew, so every production team is made up of students and volunteers. Roles include lighting, sound, set and construction, stage management, technical direction, set, costume and publicity design, and producing. No experience is needed. Every Sunday of full term, the next show's 'get-in' sets up the set, lights and sound, and anyone can turn up to help. The ADC Technical Manager trains newcomers on the workshop tools, and the ADC publishes checklists for first-timers. CUADC's Backstage List sends out vacancies weekly. [ADC Theatre (opens in a new tab)] [CUADC (opens in a new tab)] [ADC Theatre (opens in a new tab)] [ADC Theatre (opens in a new tab)] [ADC Theatre (opens in a new tab)]

Directors rarely join an existing show. Instead they apply to a venue with a production and then build a team. Many start as assistant directors, a role advertised on Camdram. The ADC takes applications for student shows at the ADC and the Corpus Playroom at the start of the term before the show. There are three stages: an online form, a 5-minute pitch and, for ADC Mainshow slots, a 20-minute interview. The panel is made up of ADC staff, CUADC, BREAD and the Fletcher Players, plus CUMTS for musicals and the Footlights for comedy. [ADC Theatre (opens in a new tab)] [CUADC (opens in a new tab)] [ADC Theatre (opens in a new tab)]

Applications for Lent 2027 opened on 26 September 2026 and closed at midday on 21 October 2026. Results are due in the week of 9 November 2026. The ADC's draft timeline for Easter 2027 has applications opening in the week of 3 January 2027, closing on 3 February 2027, with pitches on 13–14 February and results in the week of 22 February. For Michaelmas 2027, the draft timeline has applications opening in the week of 4 April 2027 and closing on 5 May 2027, with results in the week of 24 May. The ADC applies for performance rights on the applicant's behalf, and it is very unlikely to programme a show staged there in the past five years. [ADC Theatre (opens in a new tab)] [ADC Theatre (opens in a new tab)]

Student writers can pitch their own plays to the ADC. Less developed scripts can be offered as a rehearsed reading in the Larkum Studio through the ADC's Papercuts programme. Two new-writing nights, the Marlowe's HATCH in the ADC Bar and the Fletcher Players' Smörgåsbord at the Corpus Playroom, usually run every Michaelmas and Lent. The ADC is very unlikely to give new writing an ADC Mainshow slot without clear evidence that the script has been developed. [ADC Theatre (opens in a new tab)] [CUADC (opens in a new tab)]

Footlights Smokers are one-night comedy variety shows in which students perform sketches, stand-up, songs or anything else meant to make people laugh. They run roughly fortnightly at the ADC and the Corpus Playroom. To perform, join the Footlights mailing list (open to students only) and contact the Smokers officers. The Footlights also run comedy workshops, some for freshers and first-timers and some for under-represented groups, usually a couple of weeks before a Smoker. The Cambridge Impronauts run free improv workshops in the ADC Bar on Saturday mornings, open to complete beginners. [Footlights (opens in a new tab)] [ADC Theatre (opens in a new tab)] [Camdram (opens in a new tab)]

Student volunteers steward every show at the ADC and the Corpus Playroom, taking tickets and selling interval ice creams, and watch the show for free in return. Students sign up at stewarding.adctheatre.com. [ADC Theatre (opens in a new tab)]

Freshers' shows and the theatre year

In Freshers' Week, CUADC has a stall at the Freshers' Fair and holds a Freshers' Friday at the ADC, with tours and stands from the main theatre societies. In 2026 the fair ran on 6–7 October and Freshers' Friday was on 9 October. CUADC also hands out a Get Involved booklet, which the ADC says you can pick up at the theatre, at the CUADC stall or from your college. [CUADC (opens in a new tab)] [ADC Theatre (opens in a new tab)]

Every Michaelmas there are shows made entirely by newcomers. The 2026 CUADC Freshers' Play, The Da Vinci Code, runs at the ADC from 17 to 21 November 2026. The CUMTS Freshers Musical, Kiss, Marry, Kill, a student-written show, runs as a late show (23:00) at the ADC from 18 to 21 November 2026. CUGSS's Michaelmas show is also aimed at freshers, and Downing Dramatic Society holds a Freshers' Play in Lent Term. [ADC Theatre (opens in a new tab)] [Camdram (opens in a new tab)] [ADC Theatre (opens in a new tab)] [CUGSS (opens in a new tab)] [Camdram (opens in a new tab)]

Every autumn since 1970, CUADC and the Footlights have produced an original, student-written pantomime. It is the biggest show in the ADC's year and plays for about two weeks in late November and early December. The 2026 pantomime, Cinderella, runs at the ADC from 25 November to 5 December 2026. A relaxed performance is on 30 November at 7pm. [ADC Theatre (opens in a new tab)] [ADC Theatre (opens in a new tab)]

Remaining Footlights Smokers in Michaelmas 2026 are on 10 November (Corpus Playroom, 21:30) and 27 November (ADC, 23:00). Each summer the Footlights Tour Show tours the UK and Europe, with Cambridge runs in June and October. The 2026 show, Prize Cow (For My Best Son), played its home run at the ADC on 7–10 October 2026. The Spring Revue is the Footlights' biggest sketch show: graduating members perform for a week on the ADC main stage. [Footlights (opens in a new tab)] [Footlights (opens in a new tab)]

January brings the ETG home run and the Marlowe's Arts Theatre show. The ETG's 2026/27 production, Antony and Cleopatra, plays at the ADC from 19 to 23 January 2027 after its December tour. The Marlowe Arts Show 2027, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, directed by Stephen Unwin, plays at the Cambridge Arts Theatre from 20 to 23 January 2027. Camdram lists it in Lent Week 0. [ADC Theatre (opens in a new tab)] [Camdram (opens in a new tab)]

The Lent Term Musical, funded by CUADC, takes a two-week ADC Mainshow slot in weeks 8 and 9 of Lent Term, with a medium-to-large ensemble cast. CUGSS's largest show is its Lent mainshow at West Road Concert Hall. In summer, CUADC and CUMTS take student new writing to the Edinburgh and Camden Fringe festivals, and the Footlights run 'Free Footlights' every night of the Edinburgh Fringe. [ADC Theatre (opens in a new tab)] [CUGSS (opens in a new tab)] [ADC Theatre (opens in a new tab)] [Footlights (opens in a new tab)]

Tickets and student prices

ADC and Corpus Playroom tickets can be booked online, at the Box Office or on the door, with no booking fees. Concessions are usually offered to students, among others, and you must show valid ID. Tickets cannot be refunded but can be exchanged or credited to your account. Cambridge students who receive a University or College bursary can apply for discounted tickets to student shows through the ADC's Student Bursary Ticket Scheme. [ADC Theatre (opens in a new tab)]

Prices for Michaelmas 2026 and Lent 2027 student shows at the ADC: The Da Vinci Code and Antony and Cleopatra cost £10–£14.50 on Tuesday, £12.50–£16.50 Wednesday to Thursday and £14.50–£18.50 Friday to Saturday. The 2026 pantomime costs £11–£21. The 2026 CUMTS Freshers Musical is listed at £7.50–£11 / £8.50–£12, and Footlights ADC Smokers and CUMTS Bar Nights in Michaelmas 2026 cost £5–£7. The Marlowe Arts Show 2027 is listed at £15. [ADC Theatre (opens in a new tab)] [ADC Theatre (opens in a new tab)] [ADC Theatre (opens in a new tab)] [Camdram (opens in a new tab)] [Camdram (opens in a new tab)] [Camdram (opens in a new tab)] [Camdram (opens in a new tab)]

CUADC members (£10 for life) get discounted tickets to CUADC shows every Wednesday, early booking for the Pantomime and the Lent Term Musical, and £1 off ADC ice creams. CUADC's homepage gives the Wednesday discount as 25%. [CUADC (opens in a new tab)] [CUADC (opens in a new tab)]