🎭 Review: The Last Laugh at Wales Millennium Centre

Well, I haven’t laughed this hard since my nan mistook a bidet for a foot spa. The Last Laugh is a riotous, nostalgic knees-up that brings together three titans of British comedy; Tommy Cooper, Eric Morecambe, and Bob Monkhouse, in a dressing room that feels like the holy trinity of chuckles. If you’re partial to a bit of slapstick, a well-timed wink, and a punchline that lands like a custard pie to the face, this one’s for you.

Three Legends, One Dressing Room, Zero Dull Moments

Damian Williams dons the fez and the fluster of Tommy Cooper with such uncanny brilliance, I half expected him to pull a rabbit out of his own ear. Bob Golding’s Eric Morecambe is all specs, sass, and sublime timing, his eyebrow alone deserves its own BAFTA. And Simon Cartwright as Bob Monkhouse? Slicker than a Brylcreemed eel and twice as charming. Together, they don’t just impersonate, they resurrect.

The play unfolds backstage, where the trio are preparing for a mysterious gig. It’s part confessional, part comedy masterclass, and part “who wrote that joke?” There’s a real sense of camaraderie, mischief, and the bittersweet ache of showbiz nostalgia. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry (mostly from laughing), and you’ll leave with a renewed appreciation for the craft of comedy that’s more layered than a trifle at a WI bake-off.

For the Old, the Young, and the Comedy-Curious

This isn’t just a trip down memory lane, it’s a full-blown conga line. Older audiences will revel in the references, the mannerisms, and the sheer joy of seeing their favourites brought back to life. But younger comedy fans, budding stand-ups, and anyone who’s ever tried to land a joke at a wedding speech will find gold here too. It’s a peek behind the curtain at the mechanics of mirth, the rhythm of repartee, and the heartbreak that sometimes hides behind the laughter.

A Nod to the Greats

The writing is sharp, the performances are tighter than Tommy Cooper’s fez, and the pacing is pure vaudeville perfection. It’s a love letter to British comedy, penned in punchlines and sealed with a wink. You’ll leave the theatre feeling like you’ve just shared a pint with three old mates who happen to be national treasures.

So, if you fancy a night of belly laughs, misty-eyed memories, and a masterclass in comic timing, The Last Laugh is your ticket. Just don’t sit too close to the stage, you might get hit with a flying prop or an emotional sucker punch.

As Eric Morecambe might say: “I’m playing all the right notes, just not necessarily in the right order.”

And this play? It hits every one of them—beautifully.

🎟️ Catch it while you can. Because laughter, like a good punchline, is all about timing. Get your tickets here.