West End hit The Last Laugh is heading to Liverpool’s Playhouse theatre this September

Direct from the West End, The Last Laugh is heading to Liverpool this September.

This brand-new play reimagines the lives of three of Britain’s all-time greatest comedy heroes, Tommy Cooper, Eric Morecambe and Bob Monkhouse.

Eric Morecambe is played by Bob Golding, whose acclaimed one-man show Morecambe won Best Entertainment at the Laurence Olivier Awards. Golding has also appeared in the West End productions of the musicals Only the Lonely and Elvis the Musical. 

Damian Williams takes on the role of Tommy Cooper, having previously played the legendary comic in the tour of Being Tommy Cooper. His theatre credits include the musicals Hairspray, Ladykillers and Educating Rita. He was also named Best Pantomime Dame at The Great British Pantomime Awards for his long-running work at Sheffield Lyceum. 

The cast is completed by Simon Cartwright, who brings Bob Monkhouse to life, with screen credits including the award-winning Channel 4 hit Toast of London and the films Mother’s Day and Closure. 

Paul Hendy, the writer of The Last Laugh  said:  

“Rewind back to 8.55pm on Christmas Day 1977. 28 million people – half the UK population at the time – sat down as families to watch The Morecambe and Wise Christmas Special, making it the most watched TV comedy show ever.

 I also have a distinct memory of Tommy walking through a white gate – that’s all he did, he just walked through a white gate. It shouldn’t be funny, but it was. Why do we remember these images? Why do we still quote these jokes and comedy lines? I think a key word is family. We remember sitting next to our mums and dads and grandads and them laughing… really laughing at these funny men. Grandparents, parents and children all together, laughing at the same thing at the same moment … surrounded by love and laughter. In many ways, Eric and Tommy were like extended family – the favourite funny uncle! 

So, whether, like me, you first saw these greats as a young child, or if you’re discovering them today for the first time (if you are, watch them on YouTube, they’re brilliant… honest!), I do hope  The Last Laugh  captures some of the joy and laughter that these three men brought to so many throughout their lives. “

This production is written and directed by Paul Hendy. Set design is by Lee Newby, Composer and Musical Arranger is Ethan Lewis Maltby, Lighting design is by Johanna Town, Sound design by Callum Wills, Costume design by Amy Chamberlain, and Casting by Kate Roddy.

This production is written and directed by Paul Hendy, with set design by Lee Newby, music composed and arranged by Ethan Lewis Maltby, lighting design by Johanna Town, sound design by Callum Wills, costume design by Amy Chamberlain, and casting by Kate Roddy.

The Last Laugh comes to the Liverpool Playhouse from Tuesday 23 to Saturday 27 September. Tickets are priced from £17 to £47.

Find out more about The Last Laugh at Liverpool Playhouse here.

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