- Radio Times
- Review by:
- Alison Graham
You can warm your hands on the waves of affection that waft from writer Peter Bowker’s funny, sweet-natured look at the early years of our most beloved comic partnership, Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise, first shown in January 2011.
We follow the duo just before they hit the big time, from their first meeting when they were both child stars on the same bill, up to their first, disastrous television appearance: “Northern comedy just doesn’t play on television,” says a snitty BBC exec, before forcing the lads into a series of lame TV sketches.
The evolution of the surreally brilliant act that was to make them adored is nicely done, thanks to Bowker’s light touch and a smashing cast, particularly Daniel Rigby who won a Bafta as the genial but sharp-witted Eric, managing to look and sound like him without resorting to caricature. Bryan Dick is grafter Ernie, whose forbearance is often tested by his partner.
About this programme
Drama charting the early years of one of Britain's best comedy double acts, focusing on the influence of Eric Morecambe's mother Sadie (Victoria Wood). A chance meeting on the children's variety circuit sees the start of an unlikely friendship and Eric soon becomes the funnyman to Ernie Wise's `feed'. But as they grow older, the duo struggle to make their way in mainstream entertainment with a few dubious tours and an ill-advised TV series that has the critics gunning for them. Daniel Rigby and Bryan Dick star as Eric and Ernie, with Jim Moir (better known to comedy fans as Vic Reeves) and Reece Shearsmith as their fathers.
Cast and crew
Cast
- Sadie
- Victoria Wood
- Eric
- Daniel Rigby
- Ernie
- Bryan Dick
- George
- Jim Moir
- Harry Wiseman
- Reece Shearsmith
- Young Eric
- Jonah Lees
- Young Ernie
- Harry McEntire
- Little Eric
- Thomas Atkinson
- Little Ernie
- Josh Benson
- Joan
- Emer Kenny
- Doreen
- Hannah Steele
- Jack Hylton
- Ted Robbins
- Gordon Noval
- Andrew Greenough
- Ronnie Waldman
- Julian Wadham
- Showgirl
- Esme Bianco
- MC
- Thomas Aldersley
- Edna
- Angela Curran
- Vernon
- Stephen Aintree
- Nigel
- Alex Price
- Fishmonger
- Martin Walsh
- Usherette
- Clara Darcy
- Landlady
- Ria Jones
- Lily
- Pam Shaw
- Stage door keeper 1
- Marcus Taylor
- Stage door keeper 2
- Simon Holland Roberts
- Stage door keeper 3
- Fine Time Fontayne
- Stage door keeper 4
- Lee Oakes
- Doug
- Robert Willox
- Billy Crackers
- Peter Gunn
- Girl from Vasaria
- Carolynne Good
- Heckler
- Ian Ross-Henderson
Crew
- Director
- Jonny Campbell
- Producer
- Timothy Bricknell
- Writer
- Peter Bowker
- Share this episode
-