The Final Snort
Opera Home Manchester
Tuesday 29 July 2025
As soon as upon a time, there have been solely three terrestrial channels, and The Final Snort imagines a gathering of a trio of comedy titans who dominated seventies gentle leisure.
Author/Director Paul Hendy makes use of some neat theatrical methods to position Tommy Cooper, Bob Monkhouse and Eric Morecambe – sans Ernie – in an eerie rundown dressing room as they inform one another gags, and meditate on what makes them humorous.
On one degree, The Final Snort is a hilarious recreation of a few of their finest comedy moments, nevertheless it additionally takes us deep into the dependancy these difficult masters of mirth need to laughs that takes a toll on their psychological and bodily well being.
Hendy makes use of Monkhouse, who was a comedy craftsman and is right here together with his well-known e-book of jokes, to behave as a semi-straight man to 2 naturally gifted comics who may get large laughs with the only materials.
All three actors have performed these comedy greats earlier than, so that they have nice chemistry, seamlessly bringing them collectively to create a playful – but intensely – aggressive ambiance as they spar comedically. However additionally they subtly reveal the unhappiness that their up to date, Tony Hancock, noticed is a necessary a part of being humorous.
All three have clearly studied how their alter egos effortlessly timed gags again within the day and bounce off one another. There’s an old-fashioned riff as Eric will get out his ukulele to play a naughty George Formby track that’s so easy but comedy gold. There’s a little bit of enjoyable as all three stroll via a white gate in very alternative ways, utilized by Hendy to look at the subjectivity of humour as what works for one comedian gained’t work for somebody equally gifted.
Damian Williams as Cooper wears his trademark fez, and makes use of his years in panto to actually seize the physicality and hangdog expression of the lugubrious comedy magician who may cut back audiences to hysterics with a fast look via the fourth wall. Simon Cartwright as the fast witted perma-tanned Monkhouse has extra pretend tan than the orange man within the White Home. He has to work tougher as a connoisseur of comedy idea, appearing as an observer of the opposite two, who’re compelled by the demons that drive most comics to clown round as they endlessly search the excessive that laughter brings.
Bob Golding as Morecambe has the voice and mannerisms down pat in addition to the comedian timing he developed working the music halls that earned him and his sidekick viewers hundreds of thousands each Christmas. Golding additionally cleverly essays Morecambe’s ambiguous emotions about being a part of a double act.
Regardless of the trio nailing the shtick and insecurities that made every of them nice, that is rather more than a comedy Stars In Their Eyes, as every actor presents one thing rather more delicate than apparent caricatures. They’re aided by Hendy’s perceptive writing, filled with comedy lore that gives a heady combine of guffaws and reflections on the hidden value of getting laughs.
All three of their alter egos say they died onstage, and in two circumstances, just about did, however this forged does the precise reverse as they win gales of laughter all night time from a crowd who largely went to comedy faculty within the seventies.
The Final Snort is a welcome journey down reminiscence lane for kids of the seventies, however for individuals who didn’t see these TV gods gentle up the small display screen again within the day, you’ll be able to simply sit again marvelling at how all three may tickle your humorous bones with the slightest of fabric.
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The Final Snort is on the Opera Home, Manchester till Saturday 2nd August after which touring. To e-book, go right here:
All phrases by Paul Clarke
Pictures offered by PR – with credit score to Pamela-Raith
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