Morecambe

SYNOPSIS

Morecambe

After taking the Edinburgh Fringe by storm, Tim Whitnall’s story of the life and times of one of Britain’s greatest comedians Eric Morecambe makes the transition to the West End, finding its way to the Duchess Theatre for a Christmas run.

It is a perfect time of year to showcase Bob Golding’s portrayal of Morecambe, with “The Morecambe & Wise Christmas Specials” still remembered for bringing us all together on Christmas day. In fact, each year these specials would regularly draw in tens of millions of viewers, who would delight in the antics of the comedy duo, regularly joined on stage by some well known celebrity guests.

Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise were national treasures and their programmes were also popular during the rest of the year, with “The Morecambe and Wise Show” featuring the likes of Princess Anne and then-Prime Minister Harold Wilson amongst its star line up.

Morecambe was born John Eric Bartholomew and took his stage name from the seaside resort in which he was born, nestled on the shore line of Morecambe bay alongside neighbouring Lancaster. From an early age he was encouraged to perform, taking on dancing lessons when he was young and featuring as part of performance groups that would eventually lead to his meeting with a young Ernie Wise – a comedy partnership that would define a generation.

In the play “Morecambe”, Tim Whitnall has taken the framework of his transition from a teenager into a star, whilst his early death in 1984 lends itself as a framing device for the events, opening the show and ultimately finishing it. Along the way we will witness sketches and routines that some will be more than familiar with, though it should be noted that some parts of the show have been fictionalised.

Bob Golding has been praised for his performance of Morecambe, acting under the direction of Guy Masterson. When the show appeared at the Assembly Hall at the 2009 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, critics praised the way in which Golding managed to bring the nuisances and mannerisms of Morecambe to the stage.
It will be a fitting tribute to the late comedian and a great way to relish in the routines for which he was known.

“Morecambe” makes its appearance at the Duchess Theatre from Thursday 10th December 2009 (previews from Tuesday 8th December 2009) until Sunday 17th January 2010.