The Stage

Bring Me Sunshine

Published Monday 23 July 2007 at 10:20 by Robin Duke

Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise - the names alone still bring a smile to most peoples’ faces.

They spanned four decades together and, like the country which adored them, went from austerity to prosperity - at once a reminder of worse times past but a reassurance in changing ones.

Peter Kay’s audience may know much of his routine off by heart but for how long? Morecambe and Wise fans can still join in verbatim - and in this celebration of their back catalogue are frequently a line or two ahead of Max Martin and David Sanders’ affectionate tribute.

Martin wastes no time in settling into Eric’s comic genius - writers Johnnie Speight and Eddie Braben may have created the character’s finest lines, but it was Morecambe’s timing, styling and expressions which made them magic.

David Sanders has the harder task - Ernie was smaller and the very nature of the partnership meant him taking the back seat while quietly inspiring his more manic partner. But together Sanders and Martin capture the onstage charisma of the original double act - cleverly veering from the carefully crafted scripts, fooling their audience into thinking they are fallible Everymen when, in fact, they are always in complete control.

The compilation of Eric and Ernie’s most memorable moments is augmented by on screen facts and figures and a pre-recorded narration by Don Maclean. There’s even the occasional nod to the sort of modern moment the two Es couldn’t have resisted. As for the endless stream of star guests who were put to the test, Sanders and Martin import Miranda Ludlow to do the honours. The running time is more than the originals were ever asked to come up with - and could certainly be trimmed. But it’s an affectionate reminder of the golden days of light entertainment - and exactly where it belongs, on this historic pier.