Three of the UK’s favourite comedians – and the very nature of comedy itself – are celebrated in ‘The Last Laugh’, which is coming to the Darlington Hippodrome this August.

You don’t have to squint too hard to recognise which comics are being celebrated in Paul Hendry’s much lauded ‘The Last Laugh’. Eric Morecambe, Tommy Cooper and Bob Monkhouse were real stars of the stage and screen and Hendry’s play finds them sharing one very unusual dressing room. The trio muse on the secret of life, death, comedy, and what it means to be really funny. Big belly laughs are guaranteed but the play – which was a West End hit – is also warm, nostalgic, and oh-so-poignant. Taking the roles are Damian Williams as Tommy, Simon Cartwright as Bob, and Britain’s Got Talent finalist Steve Royal as Eric.

The Last Laugh, 18-22 August, Darlington Hippodrome, 7.30pm (mats Thurs 2pm and Sat 2.30pm), from £20, darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk