Stage: The Man Called Monkhouse
One time matinee idol comedian and TV game-show host lives again at Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne
One of the country’s best loved and possibly most misunderstood comedians will be uncannily brought back to us in the new solo play: The Man Called Monkhouse, at the Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne on 16 and 17 October for three performances only.
Before his death Bob Monkhouse said of Simon Cartwright’s uncanny impression of him; “You do me better than I do”, now impressionist and actor Simon will bring this comic legend back to the stage in a brand new play.
Written by Alex Lowe, who many will know as Barry from Watford from BBC radio 4 and The Steve Wright Show, and directed by Bob Golding, star of the Olivier Award Winning Morecambe, The Man Called Monkhouse comes to Eastbourne as part of a select tour.
1995 and Bob Monkhouse is faced with a professional and personal disaster, his hugely detailed handwritten books, which had been amassed over 40 years of writing and containing all his favourite jokes, are stolen.
Alone in his cramped study among thousands of show business artefacts, film stock and memories, the comedian’s comedian ponders his life. The technician. The obsessive. The smile. The tan. The cuff. The wink. The slick facade of show business which seemed so impenetrable and insincere. But who was Bob Monkhouse?
This brand new play is sure to bewitch and amaze audiences as the star of British TV for over 50 years is brought spectacularly back to life; but this is not just an impression show, this is an evening which will plunge into all facets of Bob’s incredible life and let audiences see behind the perma-tanned veneer.
The Man Called Monkhouse, at the Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne on 16 and 17 October for three performances only, nightly at 7.45pm plus Saturday Matinee at 2.30pm. Tickets priced at £19.50 with concessions available, to book or for more information call the box office on 01323 412000 or online www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk For behind-the-scenes access and news of the latest shows to go on-sale find EBTheatres on Facebook and Twitter.
