I am not a huge fan of slapstick comedy, and I wouldn’t often choose to see a comedian. However, growing up with a choice of five channels meant variety-style shows were a thing, and there was a circuit of comedians that the nation knew and loved. Three of those greats were Tommy Cooper, Eric Morecambe and Bob Monkhouse. Last night, I was fortunate enough to explore the potential inner thoughts and memories of these greats while watching The Last Laugh at the Opera House in Manchester.
What You Will Find Here
What Is The Last Laugh About?
Imagine three of the nation’s greatest comedians of their time. Comedians who still provide comedic inspiration to budding comics to this day. All sat backstage chatting over life, highs, lows, stories of their past and sharing favourite gags.
Tommy Cooper (Damian Williams), Eric Morecambe (Bob Golding) and Bob Monkhouse (Simon Cartwright) share tales of life, loves, and anecdotes that have the audience roaring with laughter.
The show started life at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and was commissioned for the stage, having shown in the West End and Broadway, drawing in rave reviews.
My Review of the Last Laugh
This quirky, heartwarming show is very much like an onion; it has multiple layers, all very different, evoking many feelings, yet all with the same outcome and core topic. As Tommy Cooper entered the stage, I wasn’t too sure, but Damian Williams had me at the duck! And the rest was well, let’s say, it was emotional.
Yes, The Last Laugh is a comedy, but it is also like looking into the souls of Cooper, Morecambe, and Monkhouse. Taking you back to being a child sitting on the sofa, singing along to ‘Bring Me Sunshine’, laughing at gags. But also watching your parents roar with laughter at some joke you didn’t get.
It felt like a warm hug, yes, it was funny, laugh-out-loud funny, but it was more than that. It was comfortable, familiar, warm, sad and funny all rolled into a joyful couple of hours.
The first half of the show is the play element, but do stay for the Q&A session in Act 2, hosted expertly by Richard Hodder. This gives the show more gravity when you hear the stories of Damian Williams, Bob Golding, and Simon Cartwright; you realise they are not just actors chosen to play the part. These artists delved into the minds of their comedic heroes, and that gives the play a whole new meaning.
Where Can I See The Last Laugh
The last laugh is playing the Opera House, Manchester, until the 2nd August, and it’s one not to miss.
And Then on Uk Tour Playing At
- Guilford, 5 – 9 Aug
- Cardiff, 12 – 16 Aug
- Southend, 19 – 23 Aug
- Blackpool 26 – 30 Aug
- Bradford 16-20 Sept
- Liverpool 23-27 Sept
Disclaimer: I was gifted the tickets for review purposes. However, all opinions are my own. Check out where to park near the Opera House Manchester.
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