SPRING UK TOUR
Theatre Royal Nottingham
Wednesday 13 March 2019 7.30pm
Highly acclaimed for their uncanny portrayal of the legendary comedy duo, Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise, talented actors Ian Ashpitel and Jonty Stephens bring An Evening of Eric & Ern to the Theatre Royal Nottingham on Wednesday 13 March 2019 as part of a UK tour.
Crammed full of renditions of those famous comedy sketches, and coupled with contemporary references in their unique style, the show evokes memories of times when whole families would huddle around the telly on Sunday evenings to share in the much-loved antics of Britain’s national treasures.
As seen on BBC One’s The One Show and ITV1’s The Alan Titchmarsh Show, the performances contain some of the first new writing in the style of Morecambe & Wise material in over 30 years.
Ian Ashpitel and Jonty Stephens have been performing and writing as Eric and Ern for almost five years. The research into their subjects is there for all to see in their staggeringly accurate portrayal of the most successful and much loved British comedy duo of all time. The performers themselves have a wonderful relationship with the families and estates of Morecambe & Wise – with all scripts vetted and authorised before being performed.
“I have been fascinated with Eric Morecambe for as long as I can remember,” says Jonty. “I took on his persona at school and it never really left me. He was the funniest and loveliest of men. We both feel it’s a privilege to play Eric and Ernie and some people have said it’s like we’re channelling them – some nights it does feel like that”.
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 knew that with his diminutive stature, Ian would be the perfect Ernie Wise. Having brought the house down the two then wrote some ‘bespoke’ material for their friends at the golf club.
Ian explains: “It was these performances which laid the foundation for a very long and incredible journey that led to rave reviews at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.” This was followed by an acclaimed run at The Vaudeville Theatre in London’s West End, which was topped by an Olivier Award 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 and I think it’s obvious that we love performing the comedy of Morecambe and Wise,” Ian continues.
Jonty said: “More importantly, the audiences love watching it – which is always handy. But it’s more than just watching a comedy show – there’s a real emotional connection, because we all remember watching it together. The audience reaction has been amazing.”
What people are saying about Eric and Little Ern’s shows:
“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 you are watching the legendary double-act live”
The Independent
“I had shivers down my spine when I saw them – it was uncanny.” Barry Cryer
Website: www.ericandlittleern.co.uk | Facebook: @ericandlittleern | Twitter: @eric_ern
LOCAL LISTINGS INFORMATION:
AN EVENING OF ERIC AND ERN
Theatre Royal Nottingham
Wednesday 13 March 2019 7.30pm
£20 – £25 www.trch.co.uk 0115 989 5555
TOUR DATES:
Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd February Newcastle-Under-Lyme: The New Vic
http://www.newvictheatre.org.uk / 01782 717962
Saturday 16th February Lichfield: The Garrick Theatre
http://www.lichfieldgarrick.com / 01543 412121
Wednesday 20th February Ipswich: Wolsey Theatre
www.wolseytheatre.co.uk / 01473 295900
Friday 8th March and Saturday 9th March Jersey: Opera House
www.jerseyoperahouse.co.uk / 01534 511115
Wednesday 13th March Nottingham: Theatre Royal
http://www.trch.co.uk / 0115 989 5555
Friday 15th March Malvern: Festival Theatre
www.malvern-theatres.co.uk / 01684 892277
Saturday 16th March Hull: Hull New Theatre
www.hulltheatres.co.uk / 01482 300 306
Tuesday 19th March Glasgow: King’s Theatre
http://www.atgtickets.com/venues/kings-theatre/
Wednesday 20th March Leeds: City Varieties Music Hall
http://www.cityvarieties.co.uk / 0113 243 0808
Thursday 21st March and Friday 22nd March Billingham: The Forum Theatre
www.forumtheatrebillingham.co.uk / 01642 552663
Saturday 23rd March Northampton: Derngate
www.royalandderngate.co.uk / 01604 624811
Tuesday 26th March Basingstoke: The Haymarket
www.anvilarts.org.uk / 01256 844244
Tuesday 16th April Southampton: The Mayflower Theatre
www.mayflower.org.uk/ / 02380 711811
Thursday 2nd May Coventry: The Belgrade Theatre
www.belgrade.co.uk / 024 7655 3055
Friday 3rd May Telford: Oakengates Theatre
www.theplacetelford.com / 01952 382 382
Wednesday 15th May Cardiff: The New Theatre
http://www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk / (029) 2087 8889
Thursday 16th May Bournemouth: The Pavilion
www.bhlivetickets.co.uk / 0844 576 3000
Tuesday 21st May Wakefield: Theatre Royal
www.theatreroyalwakefield.co.uk / 01924 211 311
Thursday 23rd May Bishops Stortford: Rhodes Arts
www.rhodesartscomplex.co.uk / 01279 710 200
Friday 24th May Aberdeen: Her Majesties Theatre
www.aberdeenperformingarts.com / 01224 641122
Sunday 26th May Inverness: Eden Court
www.eden-court.co.uk / 01463 234 234
Friday 14th June Devizes: Arts Festival
Saw the show tonight in Nottingham and it was absolutely brilliant. They look and sound like the originals who would be amazed by them