Being Tommy Cooper

Playwright Tom Green took a moment in Vegas to tell his story of the legendary British comic/magician Tommy Cooper, framing Cooper as a comic master, then flipping the shiny coin to show his tarnished underside. An adulterous wife-hitting alcoholic, Tommy Cooper was not without his faults, and neither was this somewhat clunky production with some mediocre performances and a staging that clearly looked like it was designed for a smaller stage. But just like Tommy, the show orbits his comedy and that is what shines through and lifts the total with Damian Williams’ title role providing real magic with enjoyably excellent timing, delivery and pathos.

Theatre Royal Brighton, 17 June 2013
Rating:
Victoria Nangle