Nice (Footlights revue)

Nice (Footlights revue). *Nice* was the 1962 annual Footlights revue produced by the Cambridge University comedy society. The show is a significant milestone in the history of British comedy, notable for featuring the first major writing and performing contributions from future Monty Python member John Cleese. It followed the successful 1961 revue, *Double Take*, and preceded the groundbreaking 1963 show, *Cambridge Circus*.

Background and development

The 1962 Footlights committee, led by President Tim Brooke-Taylor, sought to build on the momentum of previous revues like *Beyond the Fringe*, which had revolutionized British satire. The show was developed through the society's traditional collaborative process at their base in the Union Cellars. Key figures in its creation included writer-performers John Cleese, who was in his final year, and Graham Chapman, alongside established members like Tim Brooke-Taylor and Bill Oddie. The director was Tony Hendra, who would later edit the National Lampoon. The revue's development coincided with a fertile period for Oxbridge comedy, directly influencing the subsequent formation of Monty Python and the television series *At Last the 1948 Show*.

Content and sketches

The material in *Nice* blended traditional Footlights whimsy with sharper, more absurdist satire, prefiguring the style of Monty Python. Sketches written by John Cleese included a parody of BBC radio programming and a philosophical debate set in a Tudor courtroom. Musical numbers, largely orchestrated by Bill Oddie, parodied contemporary genres and figures like Cliff Richard. A notable recurring segment involved critiques of imperial attitudes, while other sketches lampooned Oxford University rivals, parliamentary procedure, and the conventions of West End theatre. The revue's structure followed the classic pattern of rapid-fire sketches and musical interludes established by predecessors like *Beyond the Fringe*.

Cast and crew

The principal cast featured Tim Brooke-Taylor (President), John Cleese, Bill Oddie, and David Hatch. Graham Chapman contributed significantly as a writer but performed less frequently on stage. The show was directed by Tony Hendra, with musical direction by Bill Oddie. The Footlights committee also included Jo Kendall and Chris Stuart-Clark. The BBC producer Humphrey Barclay, a former Footlights president himself, attended performances and would later recruit several cast members for projects like *I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again*. The technical crew was drawn from the ADC and Marlowe Society.

Reception and legacy

Upon its debut at the Cambridge Arts Theatre, *Nice* was met with strong reviews from student publications like *Varsity* and *TCS*, which praised its energy and the emergence of John Cleese's distinctive comic voice. Its success cemented the Footlights' reputation as the primary incubator for UK comedy talent, following the path of Peter Cook and Jonathan Miller. The revue is historically regarded as a direct precursor to the 1963 show *Cambridge Circus*, which transferred to the West End and toured New Zealand. Many of its sketches and performance styles directly influenced the development of Monty Python and the television work of its cast on shows such as *The Goodies* and *I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again*.

Tour and subsequent performances

Following its initial run in Cambridge, *Nice* embarked on a traditional Footlights tour to other Oxbridge colleges and select public schools. A revised version of the revue was performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where it attracted the attention of London-based producers and BBC scouts. While it did not achieve a commercial transfer like its successor, *Cambridge Circus*, excerpts from the show were performed for the Queen Mother during a royal visit to Cambridge University. Several of its sketches were later recycled and refined for the BBC Radio series *I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again*, which launched the careers of many cast members within the BBC Light Programme.

Category:Footlights revues Category:1962 plays Category:British comedy