The Last Laugh - Milton Keynes Theatre

The Last Laugh comes to Milton Keynes Theatre this week; sharing the best bits of Eric Morecambe, Tommy Cooper and Bob Monkhouse.  It’s funny, poignant, nostalgic and gives us a peek into their lives and influences that made them who they were.  I am not sure if Tommy, Eric and Bob ever shared a dressing room, but that is the synopsis of the show.  If you already know these icons of British 70’s comedy, then you already have bought a ticket as you would not want to miss this.

I am just about old enough to remember some 70’s TV.  I loved Morecambe and Wise yet it took me years to realise my grandad doing the ball and paper bag trick was stolen from them.  I think he wasn’t the only grandad to steal that.  After all, it was genius.  And that is exactly what you will be seeing at The Last Laugh show.  Three comic geniuses from the golden age of comedy.  

Bob Golding starred as Eric Morecambe in the West End hit Morecambe at the Duchess Theatre for which he was nominated for an Olivier Award, with the show winning the Olivier Award for Best Entertainment.  Bob has every Eric mannerism, not just the glasses, but the giggle, the walk, the pipe: the lot!. He walks on stage into the dressing room that Tommy and Bob are already in and says ‘I thought this was the dressing room for comedians. That is so Eric!

Damian Williams played Tommy Cooper in the tour of Being Tommy Cooper.  Damian is funny.  He opens the show, walking into the dressing room with some chicken feet on.  He says his feet smell fowl.  That really sets up the night as the audience laugh. I think Tommy is hard to play but Damian nails it even when he stands there in his pants not saying anything.  The audience just laughs.  Damian doesn’t even need to open his mouth. He is that funny.

Simon Cartwright has been an actor and impressionist since the 1980s and tells us in the second half that he knew Bob Monkhouse for 18 years on and off.  Simon even did an impression of Bob in front of Bob on Opportunity Knocks.  He tells us Bob was kind and gave him a masterclass on Bob.  Simon absolutely has the voice and all the small mannerisms that I had actually forgotten.  To me, Bob Monkhouse’s jokes are the funniest, and its lovely to hear them again, delivered so well that Bob himself would approve.

The Last Laugh is written and directed by Paul Hendy.  Paul says ‘Rewind back to Christmas Day 1977.  Half the UK population at the time sat down as families to watch The Morecambe and Wise Christmas Special, making it the most watched TV comedy show ever.  If you were there and you watched it, you will still remember it now.  You might remember some of the famous lines including one of my favourites ‘I’m playing all the right notes but not necessarily in the right order!’.  It is incredible that we are still quoting these lines over fifty years later.’

The first half is the play but please stay for the second half of Q&A as you get in insight into how Bob, Simon and Damian have been influenced by the giants of comedy they are portraying.  You can ask any questions (write them down during the interval) and we get to hear the actors’ favourite jokes.  If it wasn’t already obvious from the play, hearing them talk about the love they have for these icons, pours through their performances.  They absolutely do justice to Tommy, Bob and Eric.

The Last Laugh captures the joy and laughter that these three men brought to so many throughout their lives.  The Last Laugh is at Milton Keynes Theatre until 12 July and then continues its UK tour.