Theatre News

Morecambe and Wise tribute Eric and Little Ern opens at Vaudeville, 20 Nov

Bring me sunshine… The rumours are true. Following success at Edinburgh and an autumn tour, Eric and Little Ern will open at the West End’s Vaudeville Theatre in November

Jonty Stephens and Ian Ashpitel as Morecambe and Wise in Eric and Little Ern
Jonty Stephens and Ian Ashpitel as Morecambe and Wise in Eric and Little Ern

As previously tipped on WhatsOnStage, Morecambe and Wise tribute show, Eric and Little Ern, will transfer from the Edinburgh Fringe to the West End this November. It will have an eight-week season at the Vaudeville Theatre, opening on 20 November 2013 (preview 19 November).

For its first week at the Vaudeville, 19-24 November, Eric and Little Ern will run with nightly 7.30 performances, and 3pm matinees on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. From December to 12 January, the two-hander will run at the theatre alongside another production – still to be announced – with Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday matinees, and 7.30pm evening performances on Sundays.

Eric and Little Ern, created and performed by Ian Ashpitel and Jonty Stephens, recreates some of the best-known moments from a vast archive of Eric and Ernie television and stage performances.

The show’s producers were granted rare permission by Eddie Braben, Morecambe and Wise’s long-time collaborator, to feature favourite moments from his writing, just weeks before his death in May of this year. Together with classic material licensed from the estate of Hills and Green, who wrote for the duo early in their career, the show mixes in new scenes exploring the public and private personas of the comedians.

Morecambe and Wise worked together for 43 years, from 1941 until Morecambe’s death in 1984. Wise died in 1999. Eric and Little Ern is directed by Owen Lewis and produced by James Seabright Productions.

Currently at the Vaudeville, the West End return of the WhatsOnStage Award-winning comedy The Ladykillers is currently booking until 16 November 2013.

Don’t miss our WhatsOnStage Outing, including Q&A with “Morecambe and Wise” to Eric and Little Ern on Tuesday 19 November 2013. Click here to book tickets.