UK Theatre Network

GOODBYE: THE AFTER LIFE OF COOK AND MOORE             

Goodbye: The (After) Life of Cook and Moore, at The Leicester Square Theatre offers an hilarious review of the sometimes bumpy working relationship of iconic British comics Peter Cook and Dudley Moore.

It's 2002 and Dudley Moore has died. Moore finds himself in a bar run by his ex-comedy partner Cook. The booze is free and never gives a hangover but all is not perfect. The comics are in Limbo, and they have an eternity to settle old scores. In death Cook and Moore face divine judgment for ‘Derek and Clive,’ and are forced to face their past, present and future with performers whose paths they crossed - not always favorably, before they are allowed to enter heaven or hell. With them in Limbo are a whole host of comics like Kenneth Williams, Tony Hancock and Charles Hawtrey who despite successful careers were deeply unhappy on earth.

This darkly surreal comedy written by Clive Greenwood and Jonathan Hansler, shows an in-depth knowledge of their subjects, and is an inspired tribute to Cook and Moore which is as equally moving as it is humorous.

For someone like myself who knew nothing about Cook and Moore before entering the theatre it is quite a revelation to learn at how debased their language is. By today’s standards Cook and Moore’s work is not moderately obscene but for their time they were quite ground breaking. However apparently they were not the first.  In Limbo the comics are approached to co-write with John Wilmot, the dead second Earl of Rochester, (1647 -1680) whose play Sodom gave rise for prosecutions for obscenity.

The production is tightly directed by Michael Eriera, and scenes pass smoothly from one to other with ease. The clever use of sound by Mark Jefferis adds an extra dynamic to the production.

Jonathan Hansler is excellent as the bile spouting Cook and Adam Brampton-Smith endearing as Moore. But it is Clive Greenwood who steals the show with his brilliant impersonations. All are spot-on but my favorites were Frankie Howerd, Kenneth Williams and Charles Hawtrey. He also brings a lift to scenes between Hansler and Brampton-Smith when there are occasional dips in pace and energy.

Following sellout performances, Goodbye: The (After) Life of Cook and Moore, - continues it's extended run at the Leicester Square Theatre Studio each Tuesday until June 16^th. Get a ticket while you can.

OLIVER VALENTINE                                                     Box Office: 0844 847 2475