If you want to write a funny play why not write one that features three real-life comedy greats delivering some of their classic lines? It may not be the case but that feels like part of the thinking behind writer/director Paul Hendy's short and bittersweet comedy which explores the whats and the whys of stand-up through the work of Eric Morecambe, Bob Monkhouse and Tommy Cooper.

The action is set backstage in an anonymous dressing room where the trio gather for their next gig. They are contemporaries and mates bantering about showbiz old times, mocking each other and occasionally going a little bit deeper. There are pictures on the wall of past late greats, such as Sid James, with one space vacant. Who will be next?

Anyone who has a passing interest in comedy history you will know their stories as well as most of their gags, but, the funny thing is, despite them actually talking about the need for gags to be new to have an impact, their old groaners which keep on coming really are the highlight of this production.

The other strength is the impressions.  Damian Williams, who makes a particularly memorable entrance sans trousers, really does have funny bones as Tommy Cooper. He only has to do that trademark chuckle and shrug his hefty shoulders to get the stalls giggling.

Bob Golding is also good as Morecambe, as he should be by now, having played the role regularly. And if I removed my glasses and squinted a little it really did seem as if rust-faced smoothie Monkhouse (Simon Cartwright) was in the room.

During their chat we get some discussion of the nature of comedy - is it better to make people laugh with a sledgehammer like Cooper or should you chisel away to get a line just right like Monkhouse? It's not Freud, Jung or Henri Bergson, but it's a fair point to make.

As for their motivations, Hendy’s script touches briefly on the enduring notion of the sad clown. Did they have tough childhoods? Family tragedies that made them crave the validation of roomfuls of strangers? 

There are a couple of heavy gear changes to tackle two sad events – both connected to Monkhouse – but the emphasis here is very much on laughs and light entertainment. There are even a few songs that are such old comedy classics it was tempting to sing along.

It’s an odder play than it initially seems, but a fun one. I’m at the younger end of the demographic of people who grew up with these legends and references to the trio’s music hall antecedents Max Wall and Max Miller might fox even my generation  

I wonder how many people younger than me this will appeal to. While it’s short, clocking in at just over 80 minutes, there is no interval so I did worry for the bladders of some of the more senior members of the audience. In fact on the press night a friend overheard a celebrity, who shall remain nameless, concerned because he had recently had a prostate test. It was that kind of crowd.

I'm no doctor (yes, they do do the "laughter is the best medicine" gag), but here's my advice. Go to the toilet first, don’t have too much to drink, sit back and just enjoy this shamelessly nostalgic blast from the comedic past.

Until March 22. Buy tickets here.

Pictured: Bob Golding (Eric Morecambe), Damian Williams (Tommy Cooper) and Simon Cartwright (Bob Monkhouse). Photo by Pamela Raith

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