Last Updated on 20 August 2021 by Showcall Editorial Team
Ian Ashpitel and Jonty Stephens‘ Olivier Award-nominated show, Eric & Ern, returns for a tour
Eric & Ern, the critically acclaimed show celebrating legendary comedy duo Morecambe & Wise, is returning for a tour.
Full of famous comedy sketches alongside more contemporary references, it stars its creators, Ian Ashpitel and Jonty Stephens.
They will be touring the show around England and Scotland in October and November this year before presenting a Christmas version at Plymouth Theatre Royal and The Lowry in Salford.
The Olivier Award-nominated show is directed by Daniel Clarkson, with choreography by Nicola Keen, set design by Louie Whitemore and lighting design by Zoe Spurr.
Stephens said: “I have been fascinated with Eric Morecambe for as long as I can remember. 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.
“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.”
Ashpitel added: “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.”
The pair met at drama school over 30 years ago and first staged the show, called Eric and Little Ern, at Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2013. It went on to have an acclaimed West End season at the Vaudeville Theatre, earning the Olivier Award nomination.
Dates for Eric & Ern
5 October
Radlett Centre
6 October
Guildhall, Portsmouth
7 October
Hawth Theatre, Crawley
8 October
Octagon, Yeovil
12 October
Beck Theatre, Hayes
13 October
New Theatre, Peterborough
14 October
Scarborough Spa
15 October
Cromer Pier
19 October
New Theatre Royal, Lincoln
22 October
Waterside Arts, Sale
23 October
Pomegranate Theatre, Chesterfield
24 October
The Forum, Barrow-in-Furness
25 and 26 October
Lyceum, Crewe
27 October
The Baths Hall, Scunthorpe
29 October
Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa
4 November
Lichfield Garrick
5 November
King George’s Hall, Blackburn
15 November
Festival Theatre, Edinburgh
16 November
Tivoli, Aberdeen
18 to 20 November
Everyman Theatre, Liverpool
Dates for Eric & Ern at Christmas
27 November
Theatre Royal Plymouth
6-12 December
The Lowry, Salford
