Still bringing sunshine
IAN ASHPITEL and JONTY STEPHENS star in An Evening Of Eric & Ern at Nottingham’s Theatre Royal in March. They explain what it’s like to play the iconic double act
What made you want to do a show that uses Morecambe and Wise as the inspiration? Jonty: To be honest it all came about through other people seeing what we had from a fiveminute sketch and saying “you should do something with this”. Ian: It’s only when we sat down and talked about it that we decided that if we were going to do something, it had to be a play that looked at the relationship between Eric and Ern. Jonty: It was a real voyage of discovery for both of us. I was a massive Morecambe and Wise fan and had seen and read just about everything they’d ever done or had been written about them. Ian: Yes, it was Jonty’s brilliant impression of Eric and his knowledge of Morecambe and Wise that laid the foundation to everything that followed, really, How did you both meet and how did the pairing for this show happen? Ian (Ernie) We first met at drama school in 1983 – I was a mature student….. Jonty (Eric) And I was an immature student. The pairing happened for that five-minute sketch which we performed at the host club for the Stage Golfing Society, of which we are both members. Some fool asked me to do Eric for the show and I said “yes, but I’ll need a Little Ern”. I looked across the bar and there was Ian with his hair and short fat hairy legs. Ian: Then six years later they asked us to do it again, but this time we wrote some material in the style of M and W and it went down so well we realised two things – people believed were good enough to portray them and that perhaps we could write something about them as well. How long have you been doing your Eric and Ernie act and what different shows have you done in that time? Jonty: We did a try-out 30-minute piece at the 503 Theatre in Battersea in November 2012. Ian: We’re both what you might describe as “jobbing actors”. We have both had good solid, varied acting careers in theatre, films and TV. From Chris Hart in Family Affairs to Roy Piper in Thin Ice on BBC2. Also doing a lot of comedy with Armando Lanucci, among others. The last TV thing I did was playing Mr Hardcastle in Mr Selfridge. Jonty: Yes, I was a regular in Minder, three series of All About Me with Jasper Carrott, also working with Lenny Henry. Plus many other TV and theatre roles. Most recently you may have seen me in Peaky Blinders. How would you describe what you do and how does it make you feel when you do it? Jonty: Well, what we try and do is get the audience to believe that for two hours we are Eric and Ern – and no-one knows more than we do what a tall order that is. Ian: Jonty always said “we’re sticking our heads above the parapet and hoping no one shoots us down” and they haven’t yet. It’s gone from Jonty doing an impression and then growing into both of us doing a portrayal of two working class lads who “made it” in comedy. Jonty: And there’s no better feeling in the world than making people laugh, but to make them laugh as Morecambe and Wise...it’s joy to perform as them. They were so beloved by the public and we feel that affection when we’re doing the show. What can you tell us about your show An Evening With Eric & Ern? Jonty: It’s a real celebration of the comedy of Morecambe and Wise. You’ll see some of their most loved sketches along with some you may not be so familiar with. Ian: Plus some new material by us in the style of Eric & Ern. We also have the brilliant singer Becky Neale with us. We gently rib her as Eric and Ernie would... plus a few surprises. Jonty: It’s real family entertainment, with good old-fashioned belly laughs at the silliness and brilliance of Eric and Ern... we love it when there are children in the audience laughing along with their mums and dads. Ian: Of course, they’re seeing this comedy for the first time and love it as much as we did when we were kids. I’ve no idea why the parents are laughing ‘cos they have seen some of it before! How do people react when they see you on stage in character? Ian: I think we forget the physical and vocal likeness we have to Eric and Ern. For the first few minutes the audience are slightly shocked, you know, they’re still taking it in, tuning in almost, I guess. Jonty: But then they get swept away and just enjoy the great comedy. We have had some lovely comments. From people saying “We forgot that we weren’t watching the real Eric and Ernie” to “Thank you for bringing them back to us – if only for a couple of hours”. Ian: I think also, there is a huge emotional connection to Morecambe and Wise. As soon as they see us and hear the music, they’re transported back to a time that they watched them with their nearest and dearest. What makes Morecambe and Wise so special? Jonty: I think the fact that they were so close, performing together from the age of 13. They honed their skills for over 20 years before they really made it big in their 40s. That friendship and closeness gave them their unique talent. Ian: It was also their relationship off and on stage which gave them their huge success. They were so funny together, they trusted each other. There’s a chemistry between them that you can’t fake. It has to be real, otherwise the audience can see if it isn’t. What did their humour and comedy shows have that you think is missing in comedy these days? Jonty: They were just so funny, the years together. The running gags, Ernie’s wig, Eric’s glasses. Their roots in variety with song and dance. The innocence of their comedy. Ian: They had such broad appeal. Mums, Dads,
children and grandparents – three generations laughing at the same comedy. Written of course by the late, great Eddie Braben. There is nothing like it on TV today – and I’m not sure there ever will be again. What similarities are there between yourselves and Morecambe and Wise? Jonty: Well, I’m bald and Ian’s got short fat hairy legs! But seriously our friendship is the key, really. Knowing each other for over 30 years. We’re really best mates, even before our journey of performing as Eric and Ernie. We trust each other implicitly and always look out for each other on and off stage. Ian: We’ve discovered a few things over a period of time. Eric wasn’t the most organised and Jonty’s brain can sometimes be best described as chaotic and, like Ernie, I also have a padlock on my wallet. No, it’s more about the relationship we have and they had really. What do Eric and Ernie’s families think of your show and what impact has that had on you? Jonty: We have been very lucky to have had amazing support from the Morecambe family and the estate of Ernie. We treasure our relationship with them. We always try and run everything by them before we do anything as Eric and Ernie. It’s vitally important that the families are happy with what we are doing and how we are portraying the boys. What are you most looking forward to about taking this show on UK tour? Ian: Sharing the genius and wonderful comedy of Eric and Ern up and down the country. Taking them to a world of sunshine and laughter….. Jonty: Where there is no mention of Brexit and that other fella – Donald something or other. Ian: Trump! Jonty: That’s the one – I thank you!