The Last Laugh- Review – Richmond Theatre
The Last Laugh showing at the Richmond Theatre pays homage to three of Britain’s favourite comedians, Tommy Cooper (Damien Williams), Eric Morcombe (Bob Goulding) and Bob Monkhouse (Simon Cartright).
This 80-minute play is packed with humour and one liners. Set in a scruffy dressing room with flickering lights and pictures of long dead comedians on the wall. The three comedians look back on their lives discussing the nature of jokes and how their need to make people laugh has influenced their relationships and careers.
Each actor brings to life the quirks and characteristics of these much-loved comedians, capturing the humour and timings of each. Damien Williams portrays the large and lumbering Cooper to perfection, with magic tricks that go wrong and hilariously showing the other two just how to walk through a white gate. Eric Morcombe’s glasses, iconic paper bag trick and witty repartee all brought laughs from the audience. Bob Monkhouse with his razor-sharp punchlines is the butt of much of the banter. His is a quieter role, often playing the straight man to the other two. He explains that his humour relies on how he hones every joke; analysing and chiselling each to perfection, whereas Cooper can get a laugh just by standing on stage.
It’s not all laughs; there are elements of pathos as each describes their regrets in the their need to amuse. Morcombe regrets not spending more time with his family, Monkhouse wishes he’d been kinder to his old partner and Cooper describes how he once sat on a pavement crying whilst everyone around laughed, thinking it was part of the act. They all mention the fear of losing the ability to make the audience laugh.
Writer and Director Paul Hendy has carefully reconstructed iconic sketches with imaginative new interpretations that remain true to the legacy.
In one scene the three are singing and Morcombe is playing the ukelele, Cooper comments that he isn’t playing the right notes; the audience were laughing long before the punchline (if you don’t know the punch line, where have you been all your life?).
Their distinct comedic styles vividly capture the humour and timing that once lit up television screens
This is nostalgia at its best. I’m not sure how it’s received by younger audiences, but I loved it.
5 stars
Reviewed by Nina Gardner
The Last Laugh playing at Richmond Theatre Tue 17 Jun – Sat 21 Jun 2025
Tickets are available from the link below
https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/the-last-laugh/richmond-theatre
Previously published as
Cast
Tommy Cooper Damian Williams
Bob Monkhouse Simon Cartright
Eric Morcombe Bob Goulding
Cover Richard Hodder
Creatives
Writer /Director Paul Hendy
Set Design Lee Newby
Lighting Design Johanna Town
Sound Engineer Callum Wills
Composer & Musical Arrangement Ethan Lewis Maltby
Costume Designer Amy Chamberline