Last night’s opening of THE LAST LAUGH at the Wales Millennium Centre was a warm, winning evening that felt like catching up with old friends.
The show is a brand new play which reimagines the lives of three of Britain’s all-time greatest comedy heroes – Tommy Cooper, Eric Morecambe and Bob Monkhouse.
This is one of the sweetest, funniest and most nostalgic shows around. While it is aimed firmly at an older audience there is something for all everyone here and will have you reaching for your electronic devices when you get home to relive what was the golden age of TV comedy.
BOB GOLDING is Eric Morecambe and led the charge: he brings out Morecambe’s trademark mischievous grin and sparkle, but also pulls back to reveal the man beneath the public persona. Bob leans into the physical comedy, those shuffles, the double-takes, but he also infuses quietly poignant moments with genuine emotion. By the end, you realise this is not just a mimicry; it’s a loving, lived-in portrait of a man who gave us laughter, while wrestling with his own vulnerabilities.
DAMIAN WILLIAMS as Tommy Cooper makes a strong and surprising impression. He nails the deadpan delivery, the trademark fez, and the pauses that make Tommy’s magic routines all the funnier, and surprisingly moving. Tommy’s jokes sometimes land with a sweetness that undercuts the bravado. Damian brings a warmth and humility that keeps those jokes buoyant, never brash.
SIMON CARTWRIGHT as Bob Monkhouse rounds out the trio with a cool, suave charm. He captures Bob’s smooth, effortless persona, the kind that made him seem always in control, and balances that swagger with a gentleness that hints at a generous spirit. Whether he’s delivering a punchy one-liner or a softer aside, Simont never overplays it, always letting the wit land naturally.
We spoke to the three stars ahead of the opening performance and they gave us an insight into the joys of playing these much-loved comic heroes.
The staging is simple but effective. The set is an old theatre dressing room with a few chairs, dressing table mirror and lights (which are relevant to the story) and minimal props allow the focus to remain on the performances and the relationships between these comedy legends. A few old photos on the wall at the back remind us of the era, conjuring a nostalgic backdrop without taking attention away from the actors. The pacing is thoughtful, too, there’s space for each performer to breathe, to connect, and to listen. The energy never feels rushed, even as it draws you in deeper.
There’s a little hint at where the show is going at the start when Tommy picks up some clothing, those who know and remember will instantly connect with this brief moment.
About an hour in, and after a superb performance, there’s a short break. But that’s just the prelude to the highlight of the evening: a live Q&A with the audience. The Donald Gordon theatre lit up again, not with stage lights, but with curiosity. Questions ranged from “What inspired you to take on this project?” to “Were there any stories you uncovered that surprised you?” Each performer answered with honesty and humour.
Bob shared what it felt like to step into Eric’s shoes, both the thrill and the responsibility; Damian spoke about the challenge of capturing Tommy’s timing; Simon described the joy of finding Monkhouse’s vulnerability. It felt less like a performance and more like a community conversation, especially since so many questions came from Welsh audience members, curious and earnest in their own way.
What impressed me most was the ease and generosity of tone. There’s no showboating here, no craving for applause or spectacle. Instead, there’s a kindness in the humour, a shared sense that these men shaped British comedy not just by making people laugh, but by showing them something real beneath the jokes. When Bob Golding’s Eric talks about the friendship between Morecambe and Wise, or Damian’s Tommy reflects on how uncertainty was essential to Cooper’s world, you realise that laughter is just the door to something deeper.
By the end of the night, I found myself smiling in a different way, not just because the gags landed, but because I felt I’d learned more about the people behind them. The Last Laugh isn’t just a funny show (though it is); it’s heartfelt, thoughtful, and unexpectedly touching. It’s the kind of evening you walk away from feeling like you’ve not only been entertained, but that you’ve connected to comedy history, to the spirit of those legends, and to the compassionate, curious crowd around you.
If you’re heading to Cardiff this week, this is one evening definitely worth catching. Give yourself the pleasure of a few laughs, with a side of heart.
THE LAST LAUGH is at the Wales Millennium Centre through till Saturday 16th with performances at 7:30pm. There’s also a 2:30pm matinee today and Saturday. We’ve checked the ticket situation and some performances are showing limited or moderate availability, so you’ll need to be quick. You can get more details HERE.
