Acclaimed for their uncanny portrayal of the legendary comedy duo, Morecambe & Wise, talented actors Ian Ashpitel and Jonty Stephens return as Eric & Ern with their stage show … on a UK tour from 2nd February to 26th May.
Kicking off the 2020 tour with two nights at The Duke of York’s Theatre in London’s West End on 2nd and 9th February and starring musical theatre legend, Ruthie Henshall, this wonderful show is full of renditions of the most famous Morecambe & Wise comedy sketches. Coupled with contemporary references in their unique style, the performances evoke 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, BBC One’s Children In Need and ITV1’s The Alan Titchmarsh Show as well as being heard on BBC Radio 2’s Zoe Ball Show, the performances also 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 & Ern for more than 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. Ian and Jonty put so much love into this warm homage that they proudly secured a wonderful relationship with the families and estates of Morecambe & Wise – with all scripts shared and agreed 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.”
