The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis

Wed 14, Thu 15, Fri 16 Aug at 19:15

& Sat 17 Aug at 14:15 

Running Time: 2hrs

Titanic: The Last Hero & The Last Coward

Wed 21, Thu 22, Fri 23 Aug at 17:15

& Sat 24 Aug at 12:15pm 

Running Time: 1 hr

Chamberlain: Peace in our Time

Wed 21, Thu 22, Fri 23 Aug at 19:15

& Sat 24 Aug at 14:15 

Running Time: 1hr

This Summer, we brought four productions to the Edinburgh Fringe! We averaged around 80 people per performance - which considering the average is about 6 gives you some idea how successful the run was for our 16 shows. We received critical acclaim once more:

"We are guided through the story by Tom McKerchar: Liddell’s trainer and friend who was somewhat neglected in the famous film, whilst Abrahams’ trainer Sam Mussabini’s was given more screen time. McKerchar’s blunt manner is delivered with deadpan charm by David Robinson, and we are shown a relationship of deep mutual respect between the two very different men. It was McKerchar who had to think on his feet when Liddell famously declined to run the 100m heats (for which he was the hot favourite) due to their scheduling on a Sunday. And it was McKerchar who masterminded Liddell's last-minute switch to the more tactically-demanding 400m in an attempt to come home with the gold medal they both so desperately craved.

Michael Taylor plays Liddell with restraint and generosity: assuming a softly-spoken but laser-like demeanour towards both his career ambitions and Christian faith. He creates a good man without becoming too pious; engaging the audience with a friendly ease which suggests the enormously high regard with which Liddell was held in his lifetime, and beyond his premature death. There is strong support too from Simon Rodda as a pushy but patriotic sports journalist; and Rebecca Rogers as Liddell's eventual wife Florence. The piece jogs along at an agreeable pace, casting fresh light on this well-known story, celebrating one of Edinburgh's own sons: and doing so with humour and humanity"

Eric Liddell: The Chariot of Fire - Four Star Review from Broadwaybaby.com

"It’s fair to say that Searchlight Theatre Company is a staple of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Its particular brand of triumphantly victorious storytelling is always suffused with hopefulness as well as an unashamed but never overbearing love and celebration of Christianity and of men of faith confronted with situations that test their resolve and love of the Lord.

Based on the real events, the play focuses on Liddell (Taylor) and his coach Tom McKerchar (Robinson) as they attempt to get the Olympic committee to reschedule a competitive 100-metre heat from Sunday. As Liddell’s strict faith prohibits him from working on the sabbath, the pair are faced with an almost certain brick wall of bureaucracy and a test of their friendships and faiths, Liddell’s in his religion and McKerchar in his athlete. In the end, it’s a heartwarming journey, a timely salute to a local hero and yet another example of this fine theatre company bringing tales of hope, faith and kindness to the Festival stage."

Eric Liddell: The Chariot of Fire - Four Star Review from British Theatre Guide

"Did Neville Chamberlain indisputably fail to keep the peace? Or was he simply the “right man, at the wrong time”? This piece explores the issue intricately, with strong performances from the entire cast. All three performers master accents, physicality, and emotional complexity to highlight the nuance behind Chamberlain’s decision to appease, and later declare war against, Hitler.

The use of a series of era-appropriate songs in between several high stakes scenes beautifully builds tension through contrast, and sound effects are also used successfully to heighten the uneasy undertones"

Chamberlain: Peace in our Time - Four Star Review from Three Weeks Edinburgh

"The atmosphere is beautifully set in Chamberlain: Peace in Our Time as we are led into the play by Michael Taylorson singing classics from the 1930s. He has a powerful singing voice, and his performance is perfectly pitched, showing us the duality of the BBC voice and the person underneath. David Robinson as Neville Chamberlain is subtly nuanced. The tone and physicality of his movements let us know that this is a man with worries, but who is trying to present a controlled front for many reasons.

There are times that this play is quietly devastating in the understated way it tells the story of the lead up to WWII. The decision to go to war was not taken lightly and Robinson’s Chamberlain is layered: we can see the challenges that making the decision takes on the man as well as the politician. Interspersing this with the period music and announcer’s comments in the lead up to the aired statement of going to war is a fascinating look at the build-up to the life changing decision."

Chamberlain: Peace in our Time - Four Star Review from Edinburgh Guide