Few South Jersey theatrical groups can claim the longevity of the Burlington County Footlighters. The group this year celebrates a half-century in show business.  'And though they have shuffled from town to town during their long run, the Footlighters still are going strong, with more than 100 active members and three new plays in the works.

To what do they attribute their success? "We hope that we are better at plays because we have been at them longer," said Ruth lversen, a onetime president and 25-year Footllighter. "We like to think that we are a little more polished.  "As part of the celebration, scenes from the Footlighters' first production, Tovarich, a story of a royal couple who become down on their luck and are forced to work as servants, will be performed at the group's 50th Anniversary Champagne Gala on Sept. 19.