Thom Tuck and Dennis Herdman in THE PLAY WHAT I WROTE. Photo: Manuel Harlan
Fast-paced, nostalgic and packed full of laughs, THE PLAY THAT I WROTE is a loving celebration of good old-fashioned comedy.
When THE PLAY WHAT I WROTE first hit the stage 20 years ago, it became a hit on both sides of the Atlantic. Paying homage to the legendary comedy duo Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise, the play was nominated for four Olivier Awards, winning Best Comedy and Best Supporting Actor for Toby Jones. Now, a brand-new production, directed by the play’s co-writer Sean Foley, is back on tour in the UK.
As the title suggests, THE PLAY THAT I WROTE bears a close relation to the classic Morecambe and Wise television shows of the 1970s. Thom (Thom Tuck) has written a play set in the French Revolution and wants to see it staged. However, Dennis (Dennis Herdman) wants to get back on the road with their comic Morecambe and Wise tribute act. To get his way, Dennis needs to persuade his friend Arthur (Mitesh Soni) and a famous guest star to appear in Thom’s brand-new material.
Fast-paced, nostalgic and packed full of laughs, THE PLAY THAT I WROTE is a loving celebration of good old-fashioned comedy.
Thom Tuck and Dennis Herdman in THE PLAY WHAT I WROTE. Photo: Manuel Harlan
Written by Foley, Hamish McColl, and Eddie Braben (writer of Morecambe and Wise’s BBC scripts), this affectionate and daft show is sure to win you over with its silly humour, physical sight gags, and Morecambe and Wise inspired sets, gags, and songs.
Foley’s slick direction ensures that the physical comedy is fast-moving and fluid, while Ian West’s choreography, Alice Power’s set and Tim Mitchell’s lighting design help ramp up the humour.
Much of the play’s success lies with Dennis Herdman and Thom Tuck in the lead roles. Just like Ernie and Eric, the pair feed off one another, bouncing the laughs like quickfire rounds and working incredibly hard to keep up the immaculate comedy timing, some of which is very physical.
Mitesh Soni is also a delight as Arthur, the fall guy who steps in to take on a range of different roles, including theatre producer David Pugh, a dog, the French public and Scarlett Johansson.
Thom Tuck and Dennis Herdman in THE PLAY WHAT I WROTE. Photo: Manuel Harlan
But the real selling point of THE PLAY THAT I WROTE is the mystery guest star. Every evening a different guest star appears as the straight actor in Thom’s ridiculous drama.
On press evening, Charles Dance (of GAME OF THRONES and THE CROWN fame) was the hapless butt of the sketch. Mis-named, mocked and subjected to terrible lines and costumes, Dance endured the ritual humiliations like an absolute trooper, earning himself a roaring reception from the audience at the final curtain.
Yet, while THE PLAY WHAT I WROTE is most definitely not a tribute act, it does help to be a fan of Morecambe and Wise’s original work. Those who aren’t familiar with the comedy duos sketches may feel a little bewildered by some of the play’s content, and a handful of long-standing jokes don’t quite get the response from the audience you would have expected.
That said, the good old-fashioned quips and wit help keep the energy high and the laughs coming. THE PLAY THAT I WROTE offers a healthy dose of nostalgic silliness that still hits the funny bone, no matter who the guest star turns out to be.
THE PLAY WHAT I WROTE runs at The Lowry, Salford, until 5 February 2022
Donna is the Founder and Editor of Frankly, My Dear UK. By day, she works as a digital marketing specialist, by night she reviews film, theatre and music for a wide range of publications including WhatsonStage and The Reviews Hub. Loves Formula 1, prosecco and life.
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