UK Theatre Network

Ok, I admit it, I like Morecambe and Wise, I always have...and I'm only in my thirties. I also like jazz and the occasional glass of Dandelion and Burdock. Sometimes, even real ale. But what's wrong with that after all? It's like being a fan of Radio 2, supposedly something only for 'people of a certain age' as Steve Wright likes to say. Well, I guess that I must have reached the age, and you know what? I'm absolutely loving it.

We live in a world of growing commercialism, cyniscism, pessimism, political correction-ism, and almost any other 'ism' you can shake a long knobbly stick at, and as far as I'm concerned, I'm going to shake away, and maybe bang a few trees (lightly you understand so as not to harm them or traumatise them in any way) and hopefully I'll manage to keep my distance from these 'ism' things. Tabloid magazines, reality tv, ugggh, who needs it? I mean, I really can't be bothered to find out who is sitting in the big golden chair every five minutes. Perhaps that is why I found myself this evening sitting on the edge of my seat, laughing heartily in the dress circle of the New Wimbledon Theatre - the new venue for 'The Play What I Wrote', Sean Foley, Hamish McColl, and Eddie Brayben's fabulous tribute to "Britain's greatest double-act", Morecambe and Wise.

Originally directed by Kenneth Branagh, the show is a trim 90 minutes or so, but packed those tick-tocks are with all sorts of fun and merry-making. The premise is simple, a play with in a play, but there's more to it than at first meets the eye, with deceit, envy, violence, sex, and rubber ducks all rearing their ugly heads, and of course, slapstick comedy and a baguette thrown in for extras.

The award-winning show with a three-man cast of Andrew Cryer, Greg Haiste and Anthony Hoggard, slips us effortlessly inside the slippers of the numerous characters, in an effort to perform Greg's new play, an epic set in Revolutionary France called 'A Tight Squeeze for the Scarlet Pimple'. Andrew, the other half of the comedy duo, on the other hand, just wants to continue their failing act and wants Greg to perform a tribute to Morecambe and Wise which he thinks will help rekindle it. But who can they get to play the cameo role?

Unfortunately, I can't answer that question. It would give the game away. And anyway, it's different every night. You see, there's always a guest star. In our case, he metaphorically flooded the stage with his presence, blew us away with his wit, and as far as it goes, picked us up and twirled us around in an emotional twister, then spat us back out again, with a bespectacled grin. Who, you may wonder, was this maelstrom of celebrity? None other than weather guru Michael Fish, who joins countless theatre and media types to have trodden the boards including Sting, Ewan McGregor, Kylie Minogue, David Suchet, Twiggy, Honor Blackman...the list goes on...for a long while. "Big names are queuing for a guest appearance" you know. And you can see why.

This is a great show, fun for all ages, and even those 'of a certain age', whatever that might be. There's no car chases, no swearing, no obscenity, nothing explodes - except at the end of act one - look out in the stalls! Good clean fun. Belly laughs. A straight man and a fall guy. It's all very simple really. I think that's how Morecambe and Wise would have liked it. And that's how we liked it. You can tell. You don't get a standing ovation for any old rubbish, you know.

I agree with the Daily Mail (not something that happens that often I hasten to add) this really is one of "the best comedies what I've watched". Truly bringing sunshine, love and happiness, and of course, a touch of sentimentality to all who see it

Bravo

'The Play What I Wrote' is touring the UK for a limited time, so go see it while you can. Who will be your special celebrity guest? More details can be found atwww.theplaywhatiwrote.co.uk or at www.newwimbledontheatre.co.uk