Relive the comedy of Morecambe and Wise at Theatre Royal show

An Evening of Eric & Ern

A tribute to legendary comedy duo Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise, comes to Margate tomorrow (October 3).

Actors Ian Ashpitel and Jonty Stephens return with An Evening of Eric & Ern at the Theatre Royal as part of a UK tour.

Crammed full of renditions of those famous comedy sketches, and coupled with contemporary references in their unique style, the show evokes memories of times when whole families would huddle around the telly on Sunday evenings to share in the much-loved antics of Britain’s national treasures.

As seen on BBC One’s The One Show and ITV1’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 accurate portrayal of the much loved British comedy duo. The performers have a good 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,” said 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 some 30 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 said: “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.”

his 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.

An Evening of Eric & Ern is at the Theatre Royal tomorrow (October 3) at 7.30pm.

Tickets are Full Price £21, Restricted View £16, Buy 10 get 11th free (only via the box office by phone/in.

Call the box office on 01843 292795 or click here