SLAPSTICK comedy is somewhat hard to come by these days. Cheap gags have been passed over for a new wave of comedy, but Eric And Little Ern revitalised a style of older generation humour that should be more frequent on the comedy stage, and brought with it fun, passion and roaring laughter.

Ian Ashpitel and Jonty Stephens’ tribute to comedy duo Morecambe and Wise was knee-deep in puns, coming left, right and centre, and the audience buzzed with enjoyment. A couple of contemporary references updated the act, while the constant flow of rude one-liners was surprisingly befitting to the show.

The first act was spent in Ern’s hospital room, as Morecambe (Stephens) and Wise (Ashpitel) reminisced over their long career, as two old friends. Unlike other tributes, the show isn’t crammed with constant reminders of the act’s impressive career, but instead the pair simply rekindle the jokes that made the names, and do it fantastically.

For the second act, the red curtain came down behind the men as they revived Morecambe and Wise sketches. The chemistry between Ashpital and Stephens was endearing and easy throughout.

A few jokes were reserved for hard-core Morecambe and Wise fans, but the night felt much more like a revival of the comedy duo than an accolade to their success. Ashpitel and Stephens successfully reawakened the comedy of cheap puns and quick gags with precision, grace and perfect timing.

This was slapstick humour at its finest, and a commendable tribute to Morecambe and Wise.

- Rosanna O'Donnell