Eric and Ern
Sunshine Brought to Heatwave
Eric and Ern
by Ian Ashpitel and Jonty Stephens after Eddie Braben
Martin Clarkson and The Production Garden at BEAM, Hertford until 29th May, then on tour until 20th December
Review by Steven Roberts
Should you go to see Eric and Ern expecting to find out about the off stage lives of Morecombe and Wise, loves and events, then this is not the show for you.
What we are treated to is an evening of nostalgia and celebration of the lives of arguably two of the greatest comedy partnerships this country has ever known. And what a celebration it is, played out by Jonty Stephens (Eric) and Ian Ashpitel (Ern) with great affection and joy.
Even before the performance begins, the presence on stage of the famous red curtain, the sofa and coffee table, the double bed and the window, to be replaced by a grand piano for the second half, set the scene perfectly. This performance was to be all about the Morecambe and Wise TV Shows of the late 1960s, 1970s and early 1980s, mostly written by Eddie Braben, that many of us, of a certain age, grew up and fell in love with.
Their opening song, Positive Thinking instantly dispels any thoughts that this might be a bridge too far for the performers. After all, we are talking about the impersonation of comic geniuses here. Ian and Jonty’s performances are faultless; their convincing physicality, appearance, movements, facial expressions and mannerisms draw one completely into the hilarious and, at times chaotic, world of Morecambe and Wise at the peak of their powers.
So it is that we are treated to the classic sketches, Griegs Piano Concerto, adapted sensitively to enable it’s performance by Eric and Ern only, Boom-Oo-Ya-Ta-Ta-ta, Mr Memory Man, the Striptease, Charlie the Ventriloquist dummy, and the sitting room and bedroom skits.
These classic skits and sketches are suffused with constant banter, double entendre, sharp repartee, with well known and much loved catch phrases and punchlines beautifully delivered by our two stars.
Familiar punchlines such as, “He won’t sell many ice creams going at that speed”, “What do you think of it, so far? Rubbish!”, “More tea, Ern?”, “You can’t see the join”, “I see your fan’s in”, “cougharsenal”, “they are the right notes but not necessarily in the right order”, were awaited in keen anticipation by the audience, then applauded and cheered as they are delivered with such great aplomb.
Throughout the performance we are treated to the regular references to Ernie’s wig, his short fat hairy legs, his thrift, Des O’Connor and mentions of “the play what I wrote”.
The evening was further illuminated by West End star Olivia Fines. She proved to be the perfect comedic foil, singing Send in the Clowns beautifully whilst clown and balloon mayhem ensued behind her, then later with the Cilla Black hit of the 60’s You’re My World, and finally, and then becoming one of that infamous quartet performing the classic Boom-OO-Ya-Ta-Ta-Ta sketch, also featuring the assistance of a particularly plucky audience member, all to great comedic effect.
The show reaches its finale with Eric and Ern singing Bring Me Sunshine joined by Olivia and the very enthusiastic audience, sending us back out into the World with joy, happiness and a very large smile on our faces.
See it whilst you can!
Steven Roberts, May 2026
Photography by Paul Coltas
Mark Aspen 