AN EVENING OF ERIC & ERN
Hits All The Right Notes – In The Right Order
A brilliant homage to Britain’s best-loved double act, evoking mirth and memories, is to tour the UK.
An Evening of Eric & Ern is a wonderful show crammed full of original magical Morecambe & Wise material – routines, sketches and songs – coupled with contemporary references in their inimitable style.
See them live at Derby Theatre Saturday 15th September.
The show contains some of the first new writing in the style of Morecambe & Wise material in 30 years.
Performers and writers Ian Ashpitel and Jonty Stephens have been performing and writing as Eric and Ern for almost five years and the work and research into their subjects is there for all to see in their staggeringly accurate portrayal of the most loved and successful British comedy duo of all time.
The evocative uplifting experience, created by Jonty and Ian, has wowed many that worked with the comedy duo from Lord Michael Grade who after seeing them invited them for tea at the House of Lords to Barry Cryer who invited them for a pint at his local.
“I have been fascinated with Eric for as long as I can remember.” Said Jonty (who plays him). “I took on his persona at school and it never really left me. He was the funniest and loveliest of men.”
“We both feel its a privilege to play Eric and Ernie and some people of said its like we’re channeling them – some nights it does feel like that”
Adds Ian.
Ian and Jonty met at Drama school over thirty years ago and continued their friendship playing golf together at The Stage Golf Society in Richmond. When Jonty was asked to play Eric at a charity show he saw Ian’s short fat hairy legs at the bar and they were off.
Having brought the house down the two then wrote some ‘bespoke’ material for their friends at the golf club.
“That laid the foundation for a very long and incredible journey that led to rave reviews in at the Edinburgh Fringe and a West End at the Vaudeville theatre which was topped by an Olivier nomination for the play wot we wrote Eric and Little Ern.”
“We do treasure the relationship we have with each other – as did Eric and Ernie” Said Ian.
“And it think it’s obvious that we love performing the comedy of Morecambe and Wise” says Jonty
“And more importantly, the audience love’s watching it – which is always handy”
“But its more than just watching a comedy show – there’s a real emotional connection – because we all remember watching it together”
“Audience reaction has been amazing.”
The tour, which runs from May to December 2018 visits:
Winchester, Yeovil, Perth, Poole, Hull, Darlington, Bradford ,York, Bristol, Derby, Lancaster, Chelmsford, Cheltenham, Lincoln, Newcastle, Wolverhampton, The Wirral, Reading to name an few and end up at the Lowry in Manchester for three weeks at Christmas.
“I never thought I would see Morecambe & Wise live – I think I just have.” Ben Elton.
“You have the giddy out-of-time illusion that your are watching the legendary double-act live.” The Independent.
“I had shivers down my spine when I saw them – it was uncanny.” Barry Cryer
