Tuesday 10th June 2025 at the Grand Opera House York
The Last Laugh is a new play by Paul Hendy celebrating the legacy of three comedy legends: Eric Morecambe, Tommy Cooper and Bob Monkhouse.
Hendy – a name locals will recognise from York Theatre Royal’s panto seasons – also directs, and there’s a definite sense of free-flowing pun-mania worthy of a panto dame skit as the trio bounce off each other with relish, heckling and debating as they reflect on the art of comedy and the titans of yesteryear.
The whole piece revolves around the three sharing a dressing room, chatting about gags, tales of jokes that bombed, what constitutes great comedy and of course, which of them is funniest. Yet while the comics wise-crack and debate centre stage, staging offers sentimental awareness of time running out. Johanna Town’s stage lighting flickers in a constant reminder of limited time before they “go on”; Lee Newby’s set likewise conjures a past time and just enough of a hint of age and wear – and with a wall of fame depicting the legends before them who also eventually exited a stage for the last time…
Damian Williams cuts a bold figure as Tommy Cooper – plagued by moments of unspoken internal worries, he moves between whip-smart quips and a brooding sadness beautifully. Bob Golding is a joyful presence as Eric Morecambe, never too far from a self congratulating thigh slap and always with a physical embellishment.
Simon Cartwright is a gentler presence as Bob Monkhouse – the underdog, a studied rather than a natural comic, and all too aware of his reputation as such. Amy Chamberlain’s costume designs really take their cue from the iconic images of the men and each truly does look the part.
And here a confession is necessary: while I have an appreciation for the trio via those Christmastime compilation episodes of comedy greats, much of the humour here flew right over my head… and therefore I think it’s safe to say this show isn’t really aimed at the likes of me! The barometer for the quality of humour also therefore falls to how much those around me were filling their boots: they were definitely entertained, and there was definitely laughter, so I’m guessing the portrayals and the homage to their style of wit are well-received by more knowledgeable audiences.
That said, I went along assuming I’d get by and thoroughly enjoy myself based on my thin knowledge, so there’s something to take from this in terms of who is likely to enjoy the show fully – I’d definitely say this is a show for thorough fans rather than those who just enjoy a good comedy!
The Last Laugh is at the Grand Opera House, York until June 14th 2025 – more information and tickets can be found here.
Always Time For Theatre 
Leave a comment