Host a Searchlight Festival
Eric Liddell: The Chariot of Fire
Running Time: 1hr 15mins
Would You Adam & Eve It?
Running Time: 1hr 5mins
Return to the Hiding Place
Running Time: 1hr 10mins
1917: The Woodbine Poet & Padre
Running Time: 1hr 05mins
C.S. Lewis' The Screwtape Letters
Running Time: 1hr 45mins
Chamberlain: Peace in our Time
Running Time: 1hr 5mins
Rev Awdry: The Thomas the Tank Engine Man
Running Time: 55min
Titanic: The Last Hero & The Last Coward
Running Time: 1 hr 10mins
C.S. Lewis: Questioning Alsan
Running Time: 1hr 5mins
Oliver with a Christmas Twist
Running Time: 1hr 10 mins
Sherlock Holmes: The Sign of Four
Running Time: 1hr
Example Flyers:
As you can see, we have quite a few different shows in our repertoire! We have taken almost all of them to the Edinburgh Fringe, many on multiple occasions, and received either 4 or 5 stars from independent reviewers.
Into 2026 and beyond, we are offering churches the opportunity to host us for 3-4 days as part of their own Festival, where we can bring a total of 6-8 performances of up to 4 different productions from our repertoire.
"But wouldn't that be a lot more work?", we hear you cry. Well - yes and no (and either way, you can still book us to come for a day if you'd like). But a flyer with 4 shows, costs the same to print and distribute as a flyer with 1 show - and the opportunity to gain word of mouth from being based in a place for more than one day, means that your numbers can grow organically. You would also be free to put on other events - be it music concerts, film showings, seminars, or anything else you fancy - around our shows during your festival.
At the Edinburgh Fringe, we sell individual tickets for around £12.50-15 a show. But to incentivise people to come more than once - we offer a Searchlight Pass for £21 - which gives them free entry to all our performances. As you can imagine, many people decide that £21 is a very fair price to see 3 or 4 different shows. This is all to say, that if you used our model and put some other events around our shows, all you need to do is let people know how they could enjoy a festival of entertainment and activities for as little as £21.
You would be able to choose the productions you would like, an example of us coming for 3 days could be:
- Thursday: 6:00pm - Would You Adam and Eve It? - 8:00pm - Titanic: The Last Hero and The Last Coward
- Friday: 6:00pm - Rev Awdry: The Thomas the Tank Engine Man - 8:00pm - Chamberlain: Peace in our Time
- Saturday: 2:00pm - Would You Adam and Eve It? - 4:00pm - Rev Awdry: The Thomas the Tank Engine Man - 6:00pm - Titanic: The Last Hero and The Last Coward
If you sold 150 Festival Passes at £21, you'd have around £3000 of income. If you then sold a total of 150 individual tickets at £12.50 for our shows (20-25 tickets per performance - or 40-50 a day), you'd have around £1800 of income. With numbers like this - and thanks in part to our tour sponsors Destiny Rescue - we would likely cost you absolutely nothing for the 3 days. This would allow you to fund other events or initiatives in your week.
It's important to note, especially in light of us suggesting that our fee could be covered by just moderately successful ticket sales, that we outline a few key things from the outset.
- Whilst there is a good deal of flexibility in the productions you could have - there isn't complete flexibility - due to both cast numbers and availability (there are also separate licencing costs for the The Screwtape Letters). We will be able to calculate a price for you as soon as we have a complete picture of the shows you'd like and the travel to get to you.
- We have set our show times at 6:00pm and 8:00pm on weekdays to allow travel and set up time. Our show times for the Saturday are 2:00pm, 4:00pm and 6:00pm - this is to allow for pack down and travel home (assuming you are within 3.5 hours of Birmingham). If you are further away, the Saturday shows could be later, as Sunday would be budgeted as a travel day.
- If you decided to set individual tickets below £12.50 each, you may struggle to sell £21 Searchlight passes. From our experience, passes work best when people see that it pays for itself as soon as they come to two events. If you decided to put tickets at just £10, for example, people would need to justify coming to 3 events and in the process - might just decide to pick one!
- Our tour sponsors are Destiny Rescue, they are a global Christian non-governmental organisation who have restored hope to thousands of children enduring sexual exploitation and human trafficking in regions throughout Africa, Asia and Latin America. Their aim and ours - is not to 'hard sell' anything - but we will take a couple of minutes at each event to signpost people about how they could support their work.
If you would be interested in any more information, please drop us an expression of interest by email and we'll get back to you straight away.
Our productions
Eric Liddell: The Chariot of Fire
Set in Paris, during the 1924 Olympic Games, we see the struggles Eric Liddell faces around him in staying true to his principles. When given the chance to become the fastest man in the world, will his convictions buckle? Should he stay true to his beliefs? And can he bring home a medal for King and country? A winner. The production toured throughout 2024 to mark the centenary – including performances in Paris and the Royal Albert Hall. 'Searchlight elevate this from mere biography to an exploration of determination, ambition and faith' **** (ThreeWeeks).
Would You Adam & Eve It?
This family friendly comedy is what comes about when you tell two chaps who like to make people laugh to dramatise all 50 chapters from Genesis in just over 50 minutes. With a few strategic speedy bits to help it achieve its running time it has amazed audiences around the world for the last 18 years, including the Edinburgh Fringe where it received 5 stars.
Return to the Hiding Place
A moving reimagining of Corrie Ten Boom's biographical tale of forgiveness and reconciliation in the shadows of WW2. Her family bravely hide Jews in their small clock shop and the consequences were dark and devastating. The production looks not only at the story from Corrie's viewpoint, but from a German army officer's as well. How do they both regard their families, their faith, the Jewish people and the occupation of Holland? They begin in different worlds, but eventually come face to face with each other. Wonderfully inspiring, and still very relevant for today.
1917: The Woodbine Poet & Padre
Woodbine Willie was the nickname of the Rev. Geoffrey Studdert Kennedy, who volunteered as a chaplain during WW1. He won the Military Cross for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He showed the greatest courage and disregard for his own safety and his cheerfulness and endurance had a splendid effect upon all ranks in the trenches. 'This play of overwhelming sincerity and honesty is a moving and heart-warming tribute to Woodbine Willie' **** (Broadwaybaby.com). 'A resonant experience that manages to find humour and joy amidst the sorrow and grief' **** (British Theatre Guide).
The Screwtape Letters
The most critically acclaimed production of C.S. Lewis' masterpiece is back! This award-winning satirical comedy that is now touring the UK for its 13th year. Nigel Forde's 'sparkling script' and David Robinson's 'impressive Screwtape' (Stage) bring to life Lewis' classic book, which has sold millions of copies worldwide. A true popular classic live on stage. 'The performances are well honed, with Screwtape himself standing out as an embodiment of snide evil' ***** (British Theatre Guide). 'Yes Minister in space indicates not only the vibe of The Screwtape Letters, but also its quality' ***** (EdFringeReview.com)
Oliver (with a Christmas) Twist
A seasonal dash through this Dickens classic in true pantomime style, incorporating all your favourite Oliver characters, together with a certain Mr Scrooge added to the menu for good measure! You'll be certain to be wanting more before it's over - so whether you have to pick a pocket or two to get your hands on a ticket - consider yourself part of the family this Christmas. A Dickensian panto - suitable for 7 to 87 year olds.
Chamberlain: Peace in our Time
Did Neville Chamberlain indisputably fail to keep the peace? Or was he simply the right man, at the wrong time? Experience the final hour leading up to his radio announcement declaring war with Germany – interspersed with music from the period. A relevant winner for today. 'It’s thoroughly entertaining theatre, of the calibre that is to be expected from Searchlight' **** (British Theatre Guide). 'David Robinson in the title role was absolutely phenomenal' **** (Broadwaybaby.com). 'Historical drama as it ought to be done' **** (FringeGuru.com). 'Strong performances from the entire cast' **** (ThreeWeeks).
Rev Awdry: The Thomas the Tank Engine Man
A wonderfully funny tale of the clerical railway enthusiast who brought us Thomas and his friends. A new fast-paced piece with music of the age and a story that keeps on track. The Reverend Awdry created stories for his son who was sick in bed, the result was some of the most endearing children's tales and characters of all time. This new energetic production from Searchlight looks behind the trains at the man who brought them magically to life, on time and still hugely popular. "Deceptively sophisticated, interdisciplinary storytelling that entertains, informs and, like a fully functioning railway network, moves" **** (The Scotsman).
Titanic: The Last Hero and The Last Coward
John Harper and Joseph Ismay. Passengers on the Titanic. A church minister and an executive of the White Star Line. One a branded hero, one a coward. Both have a story to tell and a journey to make. 'A heartfelt and moving tribute to the heroism of the common man, and that the heart of even the richest men can be opened and brought into the light' **** (British Theatre Guide). 'I can hardly pay the author a higher compliment. My penultimate show at Fringe 2023 was an unexpected gem' **** (PlaysInternational.org.uk).
C.S. Lewis: Questioning Aslan
It’s 1958, fear and uncertainty of the Cold War is building. But in Oxford, professor CS Lewis has called a student into his study to discuss a very different dilemma. His most promising protégé is disillusioned with the world – the future seems increasingly unsure and meaninglessness has abounded in his life. Where or what can he turn to? Atheism seems to hold plausible explanations – but will his mentor be able to shed a different light on that conclusion? 'Thought-provoking, well-written and well-performed, a bright and beautifully constructed piece of theatre' **** (BroadwayBaby.com).
Sherlock Holmes: The Sign of Four
We are at the Wedding Reception of Dr John & Mary Watson – Sherlock Holmes is the Bestman - but they are surprised to see the guest list includes some slightly suspicious characters. Will the Major, Morris Harty – his wife Maureen Harty or their children Moria Harty and Morgan Harty turn out to be someone else? This show provides a great opportunity to get people together, have a bit of food and a lot of fun, with around 40 minutes of 'who dunnit?' action, before it is finally revealed who perpetrated the crime. To achieve this, all you would need to do is give us 9 people from your church who would like to do a bit of acting. We would then meet with your actors and rehearse it with them and from that, act with them on the night, creating a truly unique evening.