'The Last Laugh' review — a nostalgic and affectionate snapshot of the lives of three comedy legends

Read our review of The Last Laugh, about Tommy Cooper, Eric Morecambe and Bob Monkhouse, now in performances at the Nöel Coward Theatre to 22 March.

In a ramshackle dressing room one night, The Last Laugh imagines a meeting of three of Britain's greatest comedians: Tommy Cooper, Eric Morecambe and Bob Monkhouse. Fresh from success at last year’s Edinburgh Fringe, this charming show visits the Noël Coward Theatre before a nationwide tour.

Bob Golding as Morecambe, Simon Cartwright as Monkhouse and Damian Williams as Cooper have all played their respective comedy icons on stage before. And it shows.

Golding has lovely, amiable energy, wiggling his glasses and chuckling at everything. Williams is a hard-drinking, throaty-voiced, slightly morose Cooper. Physically he is an excellent version of the comic, lumbering around and getting laughs effortlessly. Cartwright likewise is an uncanny Monkhouse with pitch-perfect vocal cadences and a creosote-coloured face. He also shows the sadness behind the facial animation beautifully.

If you know anything about the men, there is nothing much new to learn here, but the conversation sparkles with wit and suitably excellent timing. It is an incredibly nostalgic show, taking us back to a time where successful mainstream comedy was less offensive, apolitical and something that whole families gathered to enjoy together. Younger generations may roll their eyes at the staidness of certain jokes, but the influence these men have had on comedians ever since is clear to see.

The men dissect comedy as a craft, with jokes being honed to perfection. Monkhouse is jealous of Cooper and Morecambe’s ease with audiences, whereas he (with his famous leather-bound joke books) sees a joke as something to be constructed to be as scientifically funny as possible. All three light up when discussing the unmatchable and addictive quality of making audiences laugh.

There are jokes and songs aplenty, with Morecambe’s paper bag trick a particular highlight. As Cooper shows how just walking around a prop white gate in a certain way can get a laugh, it is clear that writer and director Paul Hendy knows what audiences have come to see.

Hendy weaves some more serious elements among the jolly japes and friendly banter. The concept of the sad clown is nothing new, but each man reveals elements of their own personal struggles and childhood traumas, although they would never refer to them as such. Morecambe admits missing his children growing up, Monkhouse laments his selfish behaviour towards his late comedy partner, and Cooper reveals how a crowd laughed at him when he broke down in tears while sitting in a pub.

The ominous references to health issues, accompanied by melancholy music and flickering lights, are less than subtle, but it takes little away from the poignancy of Cooper leaving the dressing room to go on stage for what will be the last time.

Lee Newby’s atmospheric set is a shabby, cramped room with damp walls and ancient posters boasting long-past Laurel and Hardy and Harry Secombe shows. A wall of framed photos features late, great comedy legends such as Tony Hancock and Sid James, many of whom are referred to in the show.

The Last Laugh is a gently funny, affectionate, poignant show, and as comfortable to watch as putting on your favourite slippers.

The Last Laugh is at the Nöel Coward Theatre to 22 March. Book The Last Laugh tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

Photo credit: The Last Laugh (Photos by Pamela Raith)