This Review is from August 2024

Three of Britain’s greatest comedy legends, Tommy Cooper (Damian Williams), Eric Morecambe (Bob Golding), and Bob Monkhouse (Simon Cartwright) find themselves together in a dressing room. As old friends and comedy colleagues, they discuss the secrets of life, death, and the essence of true humour. What does it mean to be… really funny?

The comedians discuss comedy, timing, delivery and originality. They chat about the challenges of being funny, the pressure to constantly deliver jokes and the fear of losing their comedic touch. And they share stories and memories of late comedians and re-enact some classic numbers.

They express regret for not appreciating the greats enough while they were still around.

Bob Monkhouse discusses the formula for success in show business – drive, ambition, and talent. Bob was, famously, a consummate joke writer. Tommy Cooper, on the other hand, cared little for a joke’s origin.

Tommy Cooper: I mean, you actually write all your own jokes?

Bob Monkhouse: Some of them, most of them. What do you do?

Tommy Cooper: Well, I steel them. If I like it and can remember it.

Bob Monkhouse: What happens if you forget it?

Tommy Cooper: It makes it even funnier. If I mess up the gag it gets an even bigger laugh.

What makes a joke funny? Is the person who wrote the joke as important as the person delivering it? A conversation you’ll still hear in every performer’s bar and dressing room today.

This brand-new play, written and directed by the award-winning Paul Hendy, is based on his short film of the same name. It’s an exquisite tribute to these iconic comedians and the craft of stand up comedy. Perhaps some of the practical theatrical effects were a little over done. We didn’t really need that many flickering lights and they certainly didn’t need to be so loud. But The Last Laugh is beautifully written piece of theatre, which, I am sure, will be seen across the country on tour. It deserves to be seen on primetime television.

Martin Walker

Tickets: HERE