Maddie : I grew up in a small town in Yorkshire. Whilst it doesn’t strike people as the hub of theatrical activity I owe a great deal to many of its inhabitants for curbing my love of the theatre. Edinburgh was in the end the only real option for me on deciding I should get a ‘real degree’ due to the huge array of opportunity in this city and the university for those with a love of the arts. Looks like I made the right choice!

The Mumble : When did you take an interest in the Footlights tradition, & how did you end up in a senior position

Maddie :  I was aware of Footlights throughout my first year of University. They are renowned for creating impressive theatre of a professional standard and of course I wanted to be a part of that. Urinetown and me were the perfect fit considering my previous experience directing satire and sheer love of musicals. I like to think it was my creative vision that convinced them to choose me but it equally could have been the pee-puns in my application.

The Mumble :  Can you tell me about this year’s production, Urinetown?
Maddie :  Urinetown is set in a town that is desperately suffering a water shortage following a 20 year drought. The notorious Urine Good Company (UGC) controls the regulation of water and public toilets, exploiting the poor and threatening to banish them to Urinetown if taxes aren’t paid, whilst they enjoy their luxurious lifestyle. Meanwhile the unlikely hero, Bobby Strong, starts a revolution against the UGC and finds out what Urinetown has meant all along.

The Mumble :  Footlights have been working with choreographer Sarah Lamb again – what does she bring to the table?
Sarah Lamb : In The Heights was my first major choreography project in Edinburgh and it’s great to be working with Footlights again. In the break in between I’ve done a lot of work in physical theatre and dance theatre, so I hope what I bring to the table is a mix of glitzy Broadway choreography juxtaposed with character infused movement. I love how the show is completely self conscious of its genre, as it allows for to have leaps and pirouettes for absolutely no reason at all other than ‘because it’s a musical’. At the same time however I’m able to dive into the kind of movement direction and choreography that’s focused on emotional intention or character portrayal and that demands an organic process. It’s the mix of commercial dance with theatrical movement that I really hope I’ve been able to create comedy and life with in the show.

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The Mumble : The Edinburgh Footlights has been going on for almost three decades – what are the chief traditions of the group

Maddie : The chief professional tradition is to produce the largest scale amateur production on the Edinburgh University calendar. Our personal fun loving traditions which make Footlights the family it is, is at the end of each production we present awards to one another on paper plates. The production team, on the opening night of the show, give out star stickers for each member of the cast to put on one of their shoes to “light up their feet” (footlights)! These awards usually include quotes from the show. Other fun traditions include socials the week of the show- movie nights, dinner and of course, partying, as if we don’t spend enough time together during show week!

The Mumble :  What does the rest of 2017 hold in store for Maddie Flint
Maddie : In short, who knows what 2017 holds but it’s definitely started well. Fringe of course is beckoning and I’m always looking for new projects. I would love to remain apart of this wonderful society in some shape or form whilst continuing to abandon my degree in favour of the theatre.

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The Church Hill Theatre, Edinburgh,

7 – 11 February 2017