Review by Steve Bennett

Theatre loves troubled comedians. Every year there seems to be a play about the demons that haunted Peter Cook, Tony Hancock, Tommy Cooper, Bill Hicks, Kenneth Williams…

But Eric Morecambe? Isn’t he a bit, well, dull for drama? He got to the very pinnacle of comedy through sheer hard work, never seemed to have a cross word with Ernie Wise and remained married to the same woman for more than 30 years. His dicky heart – ‘keep going you fool!’ – was the only shadow looming over what seems the ordinary life of an extraordinary talent.

But thanks almost entirely to an astounding solo performance from Bob Golding – who captures Morecambe’s look, mannerisms and very soul so utterly convincingly – this sentimental tribute hits the spot perfectly. You could say he has Eric down to a T, Ern.

Affection for the duo has been undimmed by time, and many of the audience would probably be happy with a simple tribute show; but the brilliance of the acting and Guy Masterson’s unfussy but effective production, makes it more than that.

Given the down-to-earth nature of the man, Tim Whitnall’s script is more factual than insightful, simply hitting all the right biographical notes, and in the right order too. We start with his driven mother urging him onto the stage, touting his a song-and-dance routine around the regional talent spots, until he was spotted by impresario Jack Hylton and, later, teamed up with Ernie Wise.

They trot their act full of bad jokes that ‘went out with Disraeli’ around the music hall circuit – including the notorious Glasgow Empire – until they moved on to TV. And utterly failed. But through gritty determination and sheer hard work, they worked on their personas and perfected their timing and eventually got a second chance on the small screen – and the rest is history.

In this production, Ern is represented by a ventriloquist’s dummy – which turns out to be not half as disrespectful as it seems. The unquestioning trust and tender affection the men had for each other is reflected in the dialogue between them. Golding has the skill to conjure up Wise, and the other supporting characters too, without detracting from his Eric.

There are jokes, of course. Some cheesy, some that have stood the test of time; but this isn’t a simple reprisal of the act, but an evocative, nostalgic biography of the most successful comedians Britain will ever have. When again will half the nation be watching the same TV programme?

This show proves that decency can win out – and certainly brought sunshine to the older-than-average audience, who gave it a rousing standing ovation. There’s no answer to that. Wa-hay!

Review date: 16 Aug 2009
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett