Plymouth Theatre Review

Easy to Follow: 4

Family Friendly: 2

Must see: 4

Title: ‘The Last Laugh’

Venue: Theatre Royal Plymouth

Date: 05/05/2026

We were invited to Theatre Royal Plymouth to review the much appraised ‘The Last Laugh’, a show that brings together three of Britain’s most beloved comedy legends, Tommy Cooper, Ed Morecambe and Bob Monkhouse. For an older generation, these three iconic and much-loved comic geniuses are remembered not only for their jokes, but for their unmistakable looks and larger-than-life personalities. The actors stepping into these roles had enormous shoes to fill, yet the casting feels uncannily spot-on. Each performer both looks and sounds remarkably like their counterpart, delivering the humour with precision, character, and impeccable comic timing.

The show itself, following on from rave reviews at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, adopts an unusual format. Act One is an 80-minute play, followed by an interval and then a half-hour Q&A session with the cast, offering insight into the craft behind the performances. The play takes us on a highly researched, historical tour of each comedian’s backstory and the comedy scene surrounding them at the time. The production does supply a huge number of laughs, but I imagine also proves an education for some and a trip down memory lane for others. Blending nostalgia, theatrical storytelling and a generous helping of classic comedy the show proves to be both heartfelt tribute and an evening genuine entertainment.

What becomes clear is that all three actors are accomplished comedians. Damien Williams, who plays Tommy Cooper, spoke of his lifelong admiration, recalling childhood memories of watching his grandfather laugh along to Cooper on television. Portraying Tommy offstage, he said, proved challenging due to the scarcity of footage, but from his first hilariously funny entrance, Williams had the audience firmly on side. Steve Royale, a former Britain’s Got Talent contestant, brings Eric Morecambe to life with evident dedication. His extensive research shines through, right down to playing the ukulele, an inspired touch that adds an extra layer of authenticity and fun. He also spoke of his success in mastering Morecambe’s “come over”. In contrast, Simon Cartwright’s connection to Bob Monkhouse is more personal, having met him in 1989 and even collaborated on jokes. His portrayal highlights Monkhouse’s meticulous approach to comedy, less instinctive and more analytical, with careful crafting of each gag, of which over a million are documented! 

The thread that binds the performances is unmistakable: a genuine love and respect for the men they portray. That affection carries effortlessly into the audience, creating something rather magical, “just like that”. Judging by the demographic, the production is undoubtedly a nostalgic treat for the audience. There are moments of sadness as the comedians off stage lives are touched upon, but the steady stream of well-placed jokes and comic sketches keeps the mood buoyant. 

While younger audience members may be less familiar with these national treasures, the show’s exploration of what makes comedy work, whilst at the same time delivering joke after joke, results in it being engaging for all. It also offers a subtle reminder of how much modern comedy owes to these pioneers, validating the enduring brilliance of old-school classic British humour. An added treat is that these three titans of 1970s comedy never actually shared the same stage, yet here they are, brought together for our present-day entertainment, which gives the show a magical touch. The production also gently reflects on their immense television presence and how they once united families in a way that now feels increasingly rare.

The set design is a triumph, perfectly capturing the tired charm of a 1970s theatre dressing room. Props are used to great comedic effect, and a clever wall portrait trick delivers a subtle reveal towards the end. Lighting is thoughtfully executed throughout, though I was disappointed that a clever lighting trick at the beginning of the play did gave me a subtle spoiler for what was to come.  The lighting and sound design was particularly effective at the end of the show which I won’t give away here, but it was the most perfect and poignant ending. Music is woven in sparingly but effectively, helping to evoke the era without distracting from the narrative. Sound quality is generally good, though it was noted during the interval that some audience members struggled to catch quieter, unamplified lines, something worth addressing given the likely audience demographic.

Minor quibbles aside, this is a production that hits all the right notes in the right order. It is far more than a nostalgia piece; it is a loving celebration of three comedy icons and thoughtful reflection on an era where television comedy titans such as these three effortlessly brought generations together. Bolstered by superb performances, sharp attention to detail and an obvious reverence for its subjects, the show delivers laughter, poignancy and insight in equal measure. For lifelong fans it is joyful trip down memory lane, while for newer audiences it serves as an education of why these comedy geniuses become so prolific in the first place. A charming crowd-pleaser…just like that!

Review by Lynne Sears

*Gifted – This theatre review was written following a gifted ticket to the performance. However, all opinions and views expressed in this review are entirely that of the reviewer and the review has not been influenced in any way by the provision of the ticket. Our commitment remains to provide an honest and unbiased assessment of the experience.