Latest news with #DuchessTheatre
Glasgow Times
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
The Last Laugh play about comedy legends coming to Glasgow
The Last Laugh, written and directed by Paul Hendy, will be performed at the Theatre Royal from July 15 to 19. This follows a sell-out run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The play re-imagines the lives of comedy legends Tommy Cooper, Eric Morecambe, and Bob Monkhouse. It is filled with jokes and stories, and is said to be "nostalgic" and "poignant". The lead actors will be reprising their roles from the Edinburgh run. Bob Golding will play Eric Morecambe, a role he previously played in the West End hit Morecambe at the Duchess Theatre. He was nominated for an Olivier Award for his performance. Damian Williams will take on the role of Tommy Cooper, having previously played the comedian in the tour of Being Tommy Cooper. Simon Cartwright has been an actor and impressionist since the 1980s and has appeared on the award-winning Channel 4 show Toast of London. Jamie Wilson, the producer, said: "The team here at JWP were bowled over by the relevance of their timeless comedy and after seeing it myself in Edinburgh, I just knew it had to have a further life so many more people could experience it. "What is so brilliant about this play is the audiences who love and remember Eric, Tommy and Bob will be able to relive their comedy greatness and those that don't, will be introduced to the genius of these national treasures. "I'm so pleased these icons will be back on the London stage for audiences to enjoy." The Last Laugh's set design is by Lee Newby, music and soundscape design by Ethan Lewis Maltby, sound design by Callum Wills, costume design by Amy Chamberlain and casting by Kate Roddy.
Telegraph
14-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
5 best comedy theatre shows in London 2025
You're spoiled for choice when it comes to the best comedy shows in London, thanks to the wide range of fantastic productions – from long-running favourites to topical new entries. Whether you're on the hunt for side-splitting slapstick, razor-sharp satire or family fun, there's something to suit all tastes in the West End. You can find all the latest London comedy plays in our round-up of the best London shows, plus productions that are particularly good for young audiences in our best family shows piece, as well as top picks below that include reviews by the Telegraph's expert critics. These brilliant rib-ticklers are guaranteed to give you a big laugh, and a great night out. So, follow our guide and get booking now for the best London comedy plays and musicals in 2025. Mrs Doubtfire, Shaftesbury Theatre In a nutshell: Fans of the classic film comedy starring Robin Williams can't miss this hysterical, but also kind-hearted, musical adaptation, which turns everyone's favourite Scottish nanny into a West End sensation. When Daniel, a well-meaning but perennially out-of-work actor, loses his children in a divorce, he becomes Mrs Doubtfire – but keeping the secret is his toughest job yet. This lovely child-friendly production adds creative musical numbers to a witty script, including all the best movie scenes, while also reassuring kids that all families look different. 'Fear not, dearies – this exuberant show is still one of the biggest treats in the West End... Gabriel Vick is on fire in his utterly astonishing tour-de-force performance.' Read the full review of Mrs Doubtfire Booking until: April 26 2025 The Play That Goes Wrong, Duchess Theatre In a nutshell: If you want to end up crying with laughter, you need to make a bee-line for Mischief's world-conquering smash-hit comedy. The show is celebrating its 10th glorious year in the West End, and it's not hard to see why: this irresistible farce is precision-tooled entertainment. Join the hapless members of an unfortunate amateur dramatics society who are trying to stage a country-house murder mystery – even as everything goes hilariously wrong, from forgotten dialogue and missed cues to prop mishaps, crazy accidents, and the whole set collapsing around them. 'Seldom has disaster delivered so many belly laughs... This spoof am-dram staging of an Agatha Christie whodunit is the perfect recipe for absurd slapstick.' Booking until: February 1 2026 Book tickets via Telegraph tickets Fawlty Towers – The Play, Apollo Theatre In a nutshell: Just when you thought it was safe to book into the hotel, Basil Fawlty and gang are back! Yes, John Cleese has adapted one of the best sitcoms of all time (which he co-created with Connie Booth) into a deliriously funny new stage comedy. It serves up three brilliant TV episodes – Hotel Inspectors, Communication Problems, and The Germans – as one amazing show, and all your favourite characters are checking in too: of course, there's Basil's wife Sybil, waiter Manuel, chambermaid Polly, and guests like the Major. Don't mention the war... 'An indisputably funny evening of mistaken identity, furtive horse-betting and flagrant Teuton-baiting... Wall-to-wall nostalgia and copper-bottomed mirth.' Booking resumes: June 24 until September 13 2025 The Book of Mormon, Prince of Wales Theatre In a nutshell: You couldn't write it now! This totally outrageous, and totally hysterical, musical satire is from the genius minds of South Park's Trey Parker and Matt Stone, teaming up with Oscar-winning composer Robert Lopez (Avenue Q, Frozen) to make fun of the Mormon church, and plenty else besides. It's equal-opportunities fun, with a cartoon energy, lightning-fast jokes, unbelievable songs, and a sweet core celebrating unlikely friendship as two mismatched missionaries try to convert a village in Uganda. Take this leap of faith – you won't regret it. 'This wild, thrilling, go-for-broke, genuinely hilarious musical comedy remains one of the funniest shows in the West End... I'm a believer!' Read the full review of The Book of Mormon Booking until: July 12 2025 Frequently asked questions What are the newest West End shows? One of the best things about London's buzzy West End is that there is always a new show to discover – whether you're catching up with a recent hit, or want to discover the very latest phenomenon. The first thing you should do is check out our constantly updated round-up of the best London shows, which features useful information and reviews for all the latest theatre openings. We've also got a handy list of the best family shows in London.
