Theatre Review: Eric and Little Ern - St James Theatre, London ✭✭✭✭
Eric and Little Ern
St James Theatre, London
18th December 2014: Well, this is a bit of a difficult review to write after seeing Eric and Little Ern at the St James Theatre last night. Parts of the show I liked, but other parts of the show... I loved! First seen on Edinburgh Fringe, it has been on UK tours, and now returns to London again.
It all starts off with Little Ern (Ian Ashpitel) in a hospital bed recovering from a heart attack, and in walks a doctor in a white coat, and as soon as he puts on his glasses, we realise it is Eric Morecambe (Jonty Stephens).
In act two, the comedy really comes alive with a full on Morecambe and Wise routine in front of the house tabs. There are gags a plenty in this fun fuelled 50 minutes, where Ashpitel and Stephens really show off their likeness of the comedy duo to great effect. Not only do they look like them, but the two also sound like them, and have their mannerisms down to a tee. Along with the usual japery, there are a couple of song and dance numbers, jokes about Little Ern's wig, and even the old paper bag routine thrown in for good measure... and it measures up to a full cup of laugh out loud moments.
As far as comedy shows go, you can't get better than this, and it was a pleasure to watch. The time just flew by and there was a standing ovation at the end, and very rightly deserved too.
Four stars ✭✭✭✭
ERIC & LITTLE ERN
St. James Theatre, 12 Palace Street, London
SW1E 5JA
16 December 2014 – 11 January 2015
Press Night: 17 December 2014 at 7.30pm
Performances:
Tue – Sat eves at 7.30pm / Sat mats 3.30pm
Extra 3.30pm matinee on Wed 31 Dec & Thur 8 Jan.
Extra 4.00pm mats: Sun 21 Dec, Fri 26 Dec, Sun 28 Dec, Tue 30 Dec, Sun 11 Jan
Extra 7.00pm eves on Sun 21 Dec & Sun 28 Dec.
No performances on Wed 24 Dec, Thur 25 Dec, Thur 1 Jan.
£35, £20 (premium seats £45)
0844 264 2140
Website: www.stjamestheatre.co.uk
