Nostalgic, moving, and hilariously funny

REVIEW: ‘The Last Laugh' at New Theatre, Cardiff

Three of Britain's greatest comedians return to the stage in Cardiff this week in a play which manages to be nostalgic, moving, and hilariously funny.

The Last Laugh imagines Tommy Cooper (Damian Williams), Eric Morecambe (Steve Royle), and Bob Monkhouse (Simon Cartwright), meeting backstage for one last performance.

The three reflect on their careers, their personal lives, and the nature of comedy - exchanging quickfire gags and performing some masterful routines along the way.

The three performances are absolutely outstanding - not just accurate impersonations, they are affectionate tributes to three masters of their craft.

There's clearly a huge amount of love and respect for these three, not just from the actors (something which became even clearer in the Q&A session which followed the play), but also from writer-director Paul Hendy, and from a very appreciative audience at last night's (Tuesday 7 July) opening of its Cardiff run.

We are shown how the three were very different characters - Cooper, seemingly effortlessly funny; Morecambe, the versatile showman, who needed the crutch of his sidekick, Ernie Wise; and Monkhouse, the analytical, walking encyclopedia of gags, with tragedy to bear.

Through the course of the 80-minute play, all emerge as troubled individuals, haunted by self-doubts, but all possessing the drive to be rewarded with the big laugh. And in the Q&A, which followed the interval, we got even more insight into the real people behind the performers we knew and loved - not just about their genius and their talent, but their generosity and humility away from the spotlight and cameras.

Particularly if you're of a certain age, this is an absolute must-see show. The performances are so convincing, in the voices, gestures, and delivery, you soon believe you're watching the real Tommy, Eric, and Bob.

And what a joyful experience that is - to be taken back to simpler times, when families united around a TV set to share the laughter.

The Last Laugh is at the New Theatre until Saturday 11 July. Tickets are available from the box office on 0343 310 0041 or online here. The 80-minute play is followed by a 30-minute Q&A to complete a perfect evening at the theatre.

Review by Andy Weltch

We received free tickets for this performance in exchange for an honest review