Morecambe - The Review 2009

Feature from 2009

After numerous reports of critical acclaim and standing ovations from the plays stint at the Edinburgh festival, we were really looking forward to seeing it for ourselves.

Like so many things that have been written and produced about the life of Eric Morecambe, getting the facts rights is of the upmost importance. We were hoping that the writer, producer and star had done their homework or things could go downhill very quickly.

We needn’t have worried though, from start to finish, the full 90 minute performance was factually very tight. Not only that, but it proved to be both emotional and entertaining in equal amounts.

Starting with the news announcement of Eric’s death in 1984, Bob Golding enters the stage and looks back through the life and career of Britain’s best loved funny man.

Mostly in the character of Eric himself, he occasionally drops into other characters along the way including Sadie, Eric’s mother, George, his father, Various theatrical agents and managers, and even Bruce Forsyth.

Weaving the facts together mixed in with one-liners and the gags we all remember, this play takes the audience on an emotional journey, at the end of which we all felt we missed the great man even more.

The events in Eric’s life that are covered are too numerous to list here, but to give you some idea there are talent contests, Jack Hyton, meeting Ernest Wiseman, forming the double act, touring theatres, becoming a Bevin Boy, meeting Joan, Running Wild, ATV, the films, the BBC and of course the heart attacks.

All events are covered with just the right amount of emotion or fun, and at times even love.

There are very poignant moments during which you could have heard a pin drop in the audience, other moments and the whole theatre was roaring with laughter.

Bob Golding pulled off a remarkable performance not only jumping from character to character, but also managing to change outfits, control the ventriloquist dummy and sing some of the Morecambe and Wise songs to boot.

Imagine reading a biography of Eric and Ernie and then imagining how Eric would reminisce about his life and you get the idea of what this play about.

Highly Recommended

Overall a highly recommended performance and a great evening out for all of the family. If you can get a chance to see it, don’t miss out, you certainly won’t regret it.

Our interview with Writer, Director and Star can be read using the links on the left.


© morecambeandwise.com 2009