FOR YEARS the laughter invoked by Morecambe and Wise has resonated across the land.
From their music hall debuts as teenagers, through thick and thin and to the Christmas TV staples they have become, Eric and Ernie’s infectious brand of comedy resonates today.
Now, talented actors Ian Ashpitel and Jonty Stephens will be recreated the comics for their latest show, An Evening of Eric & Ern.
Crammed full of renditions of those famous comedy sketches, coupled with contemporary references in their unique style, the show evokes memories of times when whole families would huddle around the telly to share in the much-loved antics of Britain’s national treasures.
As seen on BBC One’s The One Show and ITV’s The Alan Titchmarsh Show, the performances contain some of the first new writing in the style of Morecambe & Wise material in over 30 years.
Ian and Jonty have been performing and writing as Eric and Ern for almost five years. The research into their subjects is there for all to see in their staggeringly accurate portrayal of the most successful and much loved British comedy duo of all time.
The performers themselves have a wonderful relationship with the families and estates of Morecambe & Wise – with all scripts vetted and authorised before being performed.
“I have been fascinated with Eric Morecambe for as long as I can remember,” says Jonty. “I took on his persona at school and it never really left me. He was the funniest and loveliest of men. We both feel it’s a privilege to play Eric and Ernie and some people have said it’s like we’re channelling them – some nights it does feel like that”.
Ian and Jonty met at drama school over thirty years ago and continued their friendship playing golf together at The Stage Golf Society in Richmond. When Jonty was asked to play Eric at a charity show he knew that with his diminutive stature, Ian would be the perfect Ernie Wise. Having brought the house down the two then wrote some ‘bespoke’ material for their friends at the golf club.
Ian explains: “It was these performances which laid the foundation for a very long and incredible journey that led to rave reviews at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.”
This was followed by an acclaimed run at The Vaudeville Theatre in London’s West End, which was topped by an Olivier Award nomination for ‘the play wot we wrote’ – Eric and Little Ern.
“We do treasure the relationship we have with each other – as did Eric and Ernie and I think it’s obvious that we love performing the comedy of Morecambe and Wise,” Ian continues.
Jonty said: “More importantly, the audiences love watching it – which is always handy. But it’s more than just watching a comedy show – there’s a real emotional connection, because we all remember watching it together. The audience reaction has been amazing.”
The show will be at The Hexagon in Reading on Thursday, November 8. For more details, or tickets, log on to www.readingarts.com or call the box office on 0118 960 6060.
Win a pair of tickets to Eric & Ern at The Hexagon on Thursday, November 8
We’ve teamed up with Reading Arts to offer you the chance to win a pair of tickets to the show next Thursday. All you have to do is answer our easy peasy lemon squeezy question and hope your name is drawn the editor’s paper bag on Tuesday.
The prize is for a pair of tickets only, which can be collected from the box office at The Hexagon before the show. It does not include travel to and from the venue.
The closing date is 4pm on Tuesday, November 6 – the winner will be contacted by phone shortly afterwards. The editor’s decision is final, usual rules apply and multiple entries will be ignored
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