The Last Laugh Is A Perfect Tribute To Comic Genius

Picture the scene. An unknown theatre somewhere in England. Backstage a dressing room door opens and a huge man walks in, in his underpants, wearing giant chicken feet. ‘My feet smell fowl’ he says, and we’re off on a trip down classic comedy memory lane. This is the opening of The Last Laugh, a one act play by Paul Hendy that opened at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre last night.

The man in the chicken feet is Tommy Cooper, here played by the utterly brilliant Damian Williams, and soon he will be joined by two more comic geniuses. First is Bob Monkhouse, the king of sardonic quick with, brought to life by the incredible Simon Cartwright who looked so like Bob it was actually eerie. The third genius is the beloved Eric Morecambe as played by the wondrous Steve Royle, one of my all time favourite funny men who we lost far too soon.

The Last Laugh all takes place in that dressing room, as the men prepare for a unknown show in an unknown theatre and share reminises about their life and careers that prove to be both hilarious and poignant. Each actor is sublime, bringing these much loved comics to life in uncannily brilliant portrayals. The way they walk and talk, their mannerisms and expressions are all so perfect you really could be watching and listening to these men backstage at some point back in time.

I dont want to give the story away but there are clues to what is happening here. Bob Monkhouse looks so much older than the other two comics, who both died in 1984. The photos of the other comics on the wall all have something in common, and it is not just that they are comic heroes too. As we move towards the denouement it becomes clear where we are and what is about to happen, and it is truly powerful theatre.

The Last Laugh shows how brilliant theatre can be. Exceptional stuff.

The Last Laugh

Wolverhampton Grand Theatre until Saturday 12th September

Click here for ticket information

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