The sheer simplicity of this one-location film and the whole world of comedy evolving on a theatre stage created an inevitability that this would eventually flesh out into what now is a 70-minute play. It is perhaps no surprise either that this show has previewed for three performances at The Eric Morecambe Centre. So, the question is, has a 20-minute film made a quality stage show, or do we get the token reply to Morecambe's classic quip question "What do you think of it so far"?
Much like that was a false cry of "rubbish" in response, The Last Laugh is actually a brilliant, poignant masterclass of performances and a reminder that sadly, they do not make entertainers like these three anymore. Hendy has managed to assemble once again the trio that made the film such a success and with the three interpretations you can see the huge dedication each actor has for their respective legends.
In order of first appearance, we are greeted initially, in spectacular comic pizzazz by Tommy Cooper, played by Damian Williams. It's a performance of wonder and skill by Williams, bringing Cooper's seemingly effortless timing and comedy to the stage with a magnitude of classic Cooperisms. The simplicity of Cooper's act is alarming, but, still so funny.
This simplicity thread leads straight into our second legend to appear, Bob Monkhouse played by Simon Cartwright. Monkhouse, you see, was a workhorse of comedy, a writer of so many jokes it is perhaps truthfully unaccountable, but someone troubled here by the fact that he isn't funny without perfected "chiselled" jokes. He is shown to be so jealous in fact of Cooper and Morecambe, who are just simply "funny", able to get a laugh from often nothing. It's not true of course, just that Monkhouse knows deep down he is not as likeable as a person and can't just give a cheeky grin to the audience to get them onside. He needs jokes, an endless succession of refined jokes to make his act work. As Monkhouse, Cartwright is magnificent, the best of the trio for capturing his look (extremely uncanny in fact) and Monkhouse's mannerisms, delivery and voice. It is a role he has built over the years, and one I first saw in the superb The Man Called Monkhouse nine years ago and it is fabulous to see him once again as Bob.
Finally to join the group is Eric Morecambe played by Bob Golding, and he captures the movement and heartwarming persona of the true legend himself, bringing a likeable performance to the stage. It has to be said, Golding isn't quite Morecambe as the other performers are their stars, the voice slightly doesn't sound right and the delivery doesn't always have the timing, but, the only reason for noticing this is that the other two performers are just so eerily the stars we remember too well.
Hendy's construction of the play is excellent, bringing many of the jokes and moments we remember to the stage and weaving them into what, at its heart, is a tremendously powerful and emotional story. It tells impactfully the back story of the personal lives of these performers, bringing very much to bare the truth that is the hidden tears of the clown.
The first preview didn't go without its mishaps, with a proper moment of wardrobe malfunction, but the cast was quick, in perfect comedy adlibbing tradition, able to fill with little issue.
The Last Laugh is simply a fabulous stage show which while here achieving four stars, is very much on the brink of greatness, as it finishes its previews and heads towards a long stint in Edinburgh, a tweak here and a little chiselling there and as the performers get the vibe for the play better this will quickly become a must-see for those who can remember the shows, and those too young who need to see how it used to be done properly. The Last Laugh can bring tears to the eyes from both the brilliant comedy and the sadness of much of the tale beneath.
A loving and poignant tribute to three comedy legends.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
