For a whole generation, Morecambe and Wise were British comedy legends and we fell in love with their unique double act in the seventies and early eighties. Over thirty years after we were shocked by Eric Morecambe's death at 58 in 1984, the memory of their greatest sketches and routines continue to be celebrated on TV. On stage this latest West End show at the Duke of York Theatre is an affectionate tribute to many of their best-known gags. While the sketches show their age with references to the stars of the day like Des, Slade, Percy Edwards, Russ Conway and Marjorie Proops, it also celebrates their gentle humour and brilliant timing.
Ian Ashpitel wonderfully recreates the stage presence of Ernie Wise, the little one with short fat hairy legs and a pretend grey toupee. The straight man who feeds Eric and who bears the brunt of many of his putdowns, but he is also the anchor of the double act and constantly demonstrates his well-tuned music hall craft.
