One of a number of such magazines of the early 1900s, Footlights claimed for itself the title 'official organ of the theatrical profession'. It championed 'fair play for all', and congratulated Australian theatres generally on 'the standard of excellence and cleanliness' they maintained. It deemed censorship unnecessary, opposed the introduction of the Theatres and Halls Act (Aug. 1909), and recognised the new Defamation Act (Dec.1909) as a necessary measure. Its staple content was anecdotes and whimsicalities, local and overseas theatrical news, listings and commentary on shows (including variety, drama, musical comedy, opera, pantomime, circus, sideshows, and moving pictures), interviews and profiles, short pars of theatrical gossip and the movement of touring performers and companies, answers to correspondents (without the questions), and an occasional short story. It published reports of social organisations, such as the 'sporting' Chasers and the vaudevillian Terriers, as well as professional associations, such as the Australian Vaudeville Association. Vol.4, no.27 (21 Dec. 1910) contained a supplement of sixty-six 'counterfeit presentments' – small photographs and brief biographies – of most of the 'managers, actor-managers, and entrepreneurs of the stage throughout Australia at the present time'. Martin C. Brennan began writing a regular column on vaudeville from September 1910 (Vol.4, no.15). The magazine ran its own theatrical agency and an Artists' Post Office. After a decline in size and style from mid 1913, in May 1914 (Vol.7, no.48) it 'put upon itself richer raiment', publishing more photographs and new columns, declaring itself 'The People's Popular Penny Playpaper'. But war was declared three months later; the paper stock dwindled, as did the size of the magazine, which relied increasingly on repeats of earlier editorials and articles. Its editorial tone became querulously patriotic, wondering about amusement-seeking in time of war – 'there is such a thing as overdoing forms of enjoyment' – and in August 1915 (Vol.9, no.10), it began a campaign against commercial boxing and its followers, the 'Men who stay at home'. Its decline was fatal, despite a new and overly self-confident proprietor, John Lavender, who took over for what were to be the last four issues in November 1915.
