‘The Last Laugh’Brings British Comedy Legends Back to Life at 59E59

What do you get when you put three of Britain’s most beloved comedians in a dingy dressing room and let them riff? The answer: The Last Laugh, a funny, touching, and deeply human tribute now playing at 59E59 Theaters as part of Brits Off Broadway.

Written and directed by Paul Hendy, The Last Laugh imagines a posthumous reunion of Tommy Cooper (Damian Williams), Eric Morecambe (Bob Golding), and Bob Monkhouse (Simon Cartwright). These aren’t just solid impressions—they’re full-bodied performances that practically raise the dead. If you’re unfamiliar with these comedy giants, don’t worry—the laughs are universal, and the chemistry between the actors makes you feel like you’re in on the joke, even if you didn’t grow up watching Morecambe & Wise or Monkhouse’s game shows.

Set entirely in a cluttered, dimly lit dressing room—complete with flickering lights and the smell of imaginary greasepaint—the play unfolds as a mix of comic banter, personal reflection, and one-liners that fly faster than a juggler’s pins. Hendy’s script is steeped in old-school setup-punchline rhythm, but it never feels stale. Cooper brings the physical comedy (and the duck feet), Monkhouse delivers sharp wordplay, and Morecambe strums his ukulele and keeps the group grounded.

Beneath the gags lies a gentle meditation on mortality, legacy, and the strange business of making people laugh. There’s no plot to speak of—just three men reliving their best bits, poking fun at each other, and wondering if anyone will remember them. “That’s all we really want, isn’t it?” asks Morecambe. “To be remembered.”

With a run time of 80 minutes and not a moment wasted, The Last Laugh is part love letter to a lost era of British comedy, part masterclass in timing, and 100% entertaining. Catch it through May 25 on the mainstage at 59E59 Theaters.

Bring a friend, bring a laugh—just don’t forget your teabag.

Tickets are $66–$86, or $50 for members of 59E59. Become a member HERE.