Eric & Ern at the Royal Theatre Review: Can Morecambe and Wise still make us laugh today?

I should probably start with a confession: I'm not really old enough to remember Morecambe and Wise properly. They were part of that warm, misty background of British television that seemed to be playing somewhere during childhood—alongside Terry Wogan on the radio, The Two Ronnies at Christmas, and the sense that Saturday night TV, with only four channels, was somehow a national event.

Before attending the tribute show titled Eric & Ern at the Royal theatre, I did a little homework. I watched some of Morecambe and Wise’s classic routines, including the famous paper bag sketch and the ‘stripper’ breakfast routine.

I suspected many audience members would remember them far more vividly than I did, and I wanted to share in that collective nostalgia.

The show arrives as part of the Eric & Ern centenary tour, celebrating 100 years since the births of comedy legends Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise.

Jonty Stephens as Eric and Ian Ashpitel as Ernie clearly understand Morecambe and Wise. The mannerisms, (Eric’s laugh!) timing, playful bickering and easy rapport felt authentic without descending into caricature. Eric's cheeky confidence and Ernie's gentle self-importance were lovingly recreated, and the chemistry between the pair was a joy to watch.

The show's second half featured many of the best-known sketches, including the André Previn scene (minus André Previn himself), the " Boom Oo Yata-Ta-Ta” " routine and, of course, the paper bag sketch. It was here that the evening really came alive. The audience responded enthusiastically, often anticipating punchlines before they arrived and laughing uproariously when they did.

One audience member told me the show reminded her of childhood evenings spent watching television with her father, laughing hysterically at the paper bag routine. That sense of shared nostalgic memory was one of the production's greatest strengths.

Olivia Fines, the show's guest singer, appeared in selected sketches, helping to recreate the atmosphere of a traditional television variety show. One of the evening's highlights was the " Boom Oo Yata-Ta-Ta” routine, in which she was joined by a willing audience volunteer, Adrian, who was recruited to provide the all-important "boom" to great comic effect. Jonty as Eric perfectly captured his dismay at not getting the lyric he wanted.

However, I found a few clouds amid the sunshine. With its variety-show format and original gags, some of the humour felt dated when viewed through a 2026 lens. At times, the jokes simply didn't land for me, though many audience members clearly enjoyed them.

I suspected that familiarity with the source material played a large role in how the comedy landed.

For long-time fans, the anticipation and delivery of favourite sketches and catchphrases generated much of the evening's pleasure. As someone discovering Morecambe and Wise retrospectively, I found myself admiring the performances more often than laughing at every joke.

Yet the production captures the warmth, affection and companionship that made Morecambe and Wise such enduring favourites. They were never simply a collection of jokes; they were a partnership built on chemistry, timing and genuine friendship. By the end of the evening, it felt less like watching impersonators and more like spending time with old friends.

For devoted Morecambe and Wise fans, this is a show not to be missed. Younger audiences with little connection to the originals may find the experience more mixed. Some of the material undoubtedly shows its age, but the affection, chemistry and nostalgia remain as potent as ever.

Eric & Ern is at the Royal & Derngate until 20th June 2026. To book tickets visit https://royalandderngate.co.uk/whats-on/eric-and-ern/