Skip to main content

Review of Eric and Ern at Royal & Derngate (Royal), Northampton

The comedy of Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise is carved into the very essence of Britishness, and while the years may now be distant from their domination of TV comedy, the light still shines bright on their work. This is thanks mostly to generation after generation being introduced to the shows via that near-annual appearance on TV schedules at Christmas. This will perhaps one day pass, but for now, this brilliant little show, Eric & Ern, now at Royal & Derngate, continues to honour that comedy on stage.

Created and performed by Ian Ashpitel and Jonty Stephens, Eric & Ern is a show bringing the duo's most famous sketches and jokes back to the stage. Having worked together now for over twenty years, Ashpitel and Stephens have created the comedy act to perfection.
Stephens brings Morecambe’s edgy, frantic energy and combines it perfectly with his timing and mannerisms; everything from the flick of the glasses to the wipe of the nose is pure Eric. Ashpital, as Wise has perhaps the more difficult task, as his style is less obvious and less mimicable; however, he masters both the vocal delivery and movement so renowned in Ernie on stage.
As a pair, they are the living form of Morecambe & Wise, looking the part, moving the part, and delivering the script, drawn together from the works of Eddie Braben, Dick Hills and Sid Green, with perfect timing.
The selection of pieces is clever and moves at a pace, with the very best being the straight sequences of the two chatting together on stage or in bed, waiting for the ice cream van to come by. You could do a very effective drinking game, ticking off the jokes you all know that well.
What is slightly less effective are the attempts at the bigger sketches, and while they are well received by the audience, and perhaps expected, flashes of The Stripper scene and most prominently the Grieg Piano Concerto sketch just don’t quite have the same impact scaled back for the pair to perform within this show.
What is brilliant, though, is the musical guest: for this performance, it was the talented Olivia Fines, who happily plays along with the pair of clowns and delivers tremendous vocal moments. With mention of music, it's also great to hear three of the duo's classic show songs, including, of course, Bring Me Sunshine, all performed skillfully by Ashpitel and Stephens.
So, anyone who is a fan of the original comedy shows will find endless delight in these shows; those less familiar with the work may need to take a retro pill and take this comedy for what it is. It is classic, brilliant, simple comedy, and in the hands of Ashpitel and Stephens, it lives once again. Fabulous stuff.

A magical stroll down memory lane.
⭐⭐⭐⭐


Performance reviewed: Wednesday, 17th June 2026, at the Royal & Derngate, Northampton.

Eric and Ern is at Royal & Derngate until Saturday, 20th June 2026, before continuing its tour from October.

For further details of the tour, see the website at https://www.ericandlittleern.co.uk/

For further details about the Royal & Derngate and to book tickets, see their website at http://www.royalandderngate.co.uk


Production photos: Paul Coltas

Popular posts from this blog

Review of Elf the Musical (N.M.T.C.) at Royal & Derngate (Derngate), Northampton

Christmas has come early this year thanks to the Northampton Musical Theatre Company and their annual performance at Royal & Derngate; this year, they bring Elf the Musical to the stage. First staged in 2010, this musical version of the 2003 Will Ferrell comedy features music by Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin and is based on the book by Bob Martin and Thomas Meehan, from David Berenbaum's original screenplay. Elf tells the tale of Buddy, a human raised by Santa's elves, who eventually learns that his origins are less North Pole and more the skyscraper streets of New York City. So, for Buddy, it’s time to travel to the Big Apple and finally meet his biological father. Matt Clarke's lead performance in Elf is strong. Clarke brings Buddy to life with all the childish manners and silly behaviour that make the character an endearing lead. He also has the vocal ability and movement to match, and he effortlessly entertains, especially the young kids, with his zany antics. Han...
Read more

Review of Matilda at Milton Keynes Theatre

Roald Dahl is perhaps one of the most famous children’s authors of any generation, and his work has inspired an exceptional number of film, television, and theatre adaptations. Fifteen years ago, this musical of Matilda , one of his most fondly remembered stories, took to the stage and has not looked back since. Adapted from the original book by Dennis Kelly, with lyrics and music by Tim Minchin, the show has been a fixture at the Cambridge Theatre in London since 2011, has performed on Broadway, and is now reaching Milton Keynes Theatre as part of its second UK and Ireland Tour. Inspired by the Roald Dahl book of the same name, this Royal Shakespeare Company’s multi-award-winning musical tells the story of an extraordinary little girl with a vivid imagination and the courage to change her own destiny. Matilda is of course the centre of attention in this production, and on this extensive tour, the role is shared by Felicity Brown, Petra Hutchings, Mollie Hutton, and Caroline Ravansari ...
Read more

Review of Annie at Milton Keynes Theatre

Annie was first performed now a remarkable fifty years ago at Goodspeed Opera House in Connecticut, and since then, the tale based on a 1920s comic strip and adapted for the stage by Thomas Meehan on book, with music by Charles Strouse, and lyrics provided by Martin Charnin, has become a perennial favourite across the world. Indeed, this version, directed by Nikolai Foster, last appeared at Milton Keynes Theatre in 2023. So, after all these years, does Annie still have that appeal? Set in  1930s New York during the Great Depression,  Annie  follows the life of an orphan abandoned to the care  of its evil matron, Miss Hannigan. Annie seeks escape, and after one failed attempt, she finds herself the chosen Christmas guest of billionaire Oliver Warbucks, and things slowly, hopefully begin to improve for the little but fiercely strong Annie. Leading the adult cast for this tour now as the cruel Miss Hannigan is Claire Sweeney. Sweeney clearly revels in the chance to embr...
Read more