Comedy legends lovingly revisited in The Last Laugh at The Kings Theatre, Southsea | Review
Some shows make you laugh.
Some make you cry.
Paul Hendy’s The Last Laugh somehow manages to do both at exactly the same time.
A heartfelt, hilarious and beautifully bittersweet love letter to three of Britain’s greatest entertainers. Hendy invites us into a quaint yet ominous dressing room shared by comedy royalty, Tommy Cooper, Eric Morecambe and Bob Monkhouse, as they laugh, reminisce and prepare for one final performance.
The performances are exceptional throughout. Damian Williams doesn’t simply impersonate Tommy Cooper, he captures the weary brilliance behind the comic chaos.
Every stumble, magic trick and trademark pause feels authentic, yet beneath the booming laugh and oversized presence is a sadness that quietly lurks.
Steve Royle is sensational as Eric Morecambe, perfectly recreating his playful warmth, quick wit and mischievous sparkle, hitting all the right notes. His mannerisms are so precise it genuinely feels like Morecambe has stepped back onto the stage for one final bow.
Simon Cartwright delivers a flawless Bob Monkhouse, portraying him not only as a sharp tongued master of comedy, but as a deeply intelligent and reflective man carrying enormous personal pain behind the polished smile.
The trio recreate the rhythm and chemistry of a bygone era without ever slipping into parody.
For anyone raised on classic Saturday night reruns and Christmas specials, The Last Laugh feels like opening an old photo album filled with joy. Just like that, the humour lands effortlessly, but it is the emotional honesty underneath that truly lingers.
Paul Hendy’s writing balances comedy and compassion beautifully, proving there can be tears behind the punchlines. The post show Q&A added an extra layer of warmth, with the cast sharing heartfelt stories about the legends who inspired them.
Much like one of Tommy of Cooper’s best routines, this wonderful play looks effortless, but the brilliance behind it is no illusion.
An evening packed with laughter, emotion and nostalgia, The Last Laugh had me in stitches, much like the comedy icons it so lovingly celebrates.
Until Saturday.