Eric and Ern. Grimsby Auditorium, 10 November 2026.

This was a show I was always looking forward to reviewing; I have loved Morecambe and Wise since childhood. Like many other children of my generation, I remember family viewing of their shows on TV as must watch television. The whole family sat and roared with laughter at the sheer daftness of two middle-aged men who seemed to live together and share a bed, behaving like children by bickering and being extremely silly. Their Christmas shows especially unified not only my family, but also seemed to unify the nation. We could do with Morecambe and Wise for the new generation. We have had Ant and Dec for what seems like forever at this stage but they are not in the same league as (what I consider to be) the world's greatest comedy double act. So not too much for Ian Ashpitel and Jonty Stephens to live up to then!

The show is not just an affectionate tribute to these beloved entertainers, it is a carefully crafted effort to recreate the magic and the hilarity of a couple who had grown up together, learned their craft touring themusic halls across the country and grown into one of the greatest British entertainment acts of the twentieth century. Ashpitel and Stephens REALLY know how to capture the magic and to share it in such a warm-hearted, generous and respectful fashion that no true fan of Morecambe and Wise would leave feeling offended that they did not do the originals justice.

It was interesting to note that the audience in Grimsby was very much "of a certain age" and that the assembled audience knew precisely what to expect from the show. As we entered the auditorium the open stage showed the famous red and gold curtains with M and W centre stage and to the left was a 1970's sitting room set, whilst to the right a double bed and interestingly both with radios, a common feature in seventies homes but less noticeable in homes today.

The lights dimmed and rose again as the music struck up and the two performers took to the stage to sing a familiar old classic, as Morecambe and Wise always did, Following You Around. As would be expected music and dance play a large part in the show and Ian Ashpitel's Ernie demonstrates a good singing voice though he never really gets the opportunity to shine as Jonty Stephens' Eric perpetually interrupts and seeks to steal the limelight.

The pair perfectly recreate Ernie's pomposity and Eric's need to upstage his partner through sheer silliness. When Ashpitel performs a "straight" version of Send in the Clowns, Stephens appears dressed in a novelty clown outfit and begins to toy with balloons causing mayhem and the audience barely notices the singer singing and yet Ern continues, fully committed to the routine allowing Eric to shine. And that sums up the relationship of the originals; Ernie wasn't merely a straight man for Eric, instead he had a comic timing and sense of the absurd that allowed his partner to shine in order to elevate the comedy of the duo.

All the familiar beats of the beloved act's repartee were employed, from the Des O'Connor jibes to the lines the audience were just craving to hear ("He's not going to sell much ice cream going at that speed...") and the legendary Grieg's Piano Concerto sketch and just a touch of their famous breakfast routine to The Stripper. The warmth and roars of laughter as the audience recognised the routines were heartening to hear. That is what we, the audience, came to watch, to see if two actors performing the routines could transport us back to those days huddled around the family television, and they did in spades.

It was a sheer delight to be reminded of simpler days when comedy was kinder and the comedians were funny rather than grandstanding to show off their intelligence, where one man with a brown paper bag can have an audience eating out of the palm of his hand. Ashpitel and Stephens manage to embody the physical and vocal requirements of Morecambe and Wise to an uncanny degree and you can forget that you are watching two actors who must have grown up watching M&W with their own families, just like us.

It was so easy to forget that you are watching actors and not the real thing and the fact that the show is endorsed by the families of Morecambe and Wise and of the original writers Eddie Braben, Dick Hills and Sid Green, speaks volumes about the quality. Did Ashpitel and Stephens Bring Me Sunshine? They most certainly did and I urge you to get your dose of vitamin D by catching Eric and Ern live on their Centenary Tour.

Andy Evans 10 November 2026