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The Last Laugh
The Last Laugh opened its UK tour tonight at Milton Keynes Theatre with a performance that more than lived up to its name – delivering laugh after laugh, and at the same time reminding us why these three comedy giants hold such a special place in British hearts.
Paul Hendy’s clever script places Eric Morecambe, Tommy Cooper and Bob Monkhouse together in a dressing room just before they’re about to go on stage. It’s a simple premise, but one that bursts with warmth, wit and nostalgia as they swap stories, tell gags we all know and love, and lift the curtain on the bittersweet reality of life behind the laughter.
Bob Golding’s Eric Morecambe is a masterclass in comic timing and affectionate mimicry. Having played the role to Olivier-nominated acclaim before, Golding slips into Eric’s famous glasses and grin as if born to them. Every raised eyebrow, every sideways glance – it’s all there and it’s uncanny. You can tell Golding’s not just an actor playing Eric – he’s a genuine fan paying tribute.
Damian Williams captures Tommy Cooper’s towering presence brilliantly. The fez, the deep, booming chuckle, the seemingly chaotic delivery hiding razor-sharp craft – Williams has it all down to a fine art. He finds the man behind the magician’s misfiring tricks too, reminding us that Cooper’s biggest trick was the vulnerability beneath the guffaws.
Simon Cartwright as Bob Monkhouse is incredible. capturing Monkhouse’s quicksilver wit, the twinkle in the eye and the machine-gun one-liners with a perfect recreation of his inflection and intonation, it's uncanny and utterly convincing. It's clear from his performance that he has a real connection with Bob,
The real beauty of The Last Laugh lies in the moments between the jokes. Hendy’s script allows space for reflection – on the pressures of fame, the burden of always having to be funny, and the sacrifices these legends made for their craft. One minute the audience is roaring with laughter as Cooper fluffs a magic trick, the next you’re unexpectedly moved as Morecambe and Monkhouse reflect on what it means to grow older in the spotlight.
The set – a dressing room that feels timeless and familiar – perfectly frames this meeting of minds. It’s in this confined space that the big laughs happen, but so do the confessions, the wistful memories and the genuine camaraderie that these three men share, even in fictional reunion.
Tonight’s performance was topped off with a Q&A that underlined just how much this production means to its cast. Hearing Golding, Williams and Cartwright talk about the years they’ve dedicated to understanding their heroes was deeply moving. It’s not just an act – they are lifelong fans, guardians of these national treasures, and in some cases, friends who knew them personally.
The result is a show that’s far more than just a greatest-hits tribute. It’s a celebration of three comedic giants who shaped our collective sense of humour and inspired generations of comics who followed. Even if you’re too young to remember seeing Eric, Tommy or Bob on television, The Last Laugh reminds you that their jokes, their style and their spirit are woven into the DNA of British comedy.
The standing ovation at the end said it all – Milton Keynes Theatre was buzzing with the joy of seeing these beloved icons brought back to life with such passion, precision and genuine affection in this nostalgic, hilarious and unforgettable show.
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