review written by Bookmarks and Stages – Louise Cannon
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
Most of us have watched The Traitors on tv. The theatre company, Highly Suspect has cleverly taken the idea of it being on stage and ran with it in an interactive, humorous way. Given the popularity of The Traitors on tv, I thought this was a smart idea. There is a host, who, although isn’t Claudia Winkleman, has some of her traits. There are 3 Betray-tors, who you get to know more about in the game.
Everything has been thought about, such as references to the tv show, such as past team games, contestants, including how some are related or pretending they are someone they’re not. These are all cleverly interwoven into the stories you hear. The twist is, someone is murdered, rather grizzly, off set. It’s up to the audience to piece together clues and solve puzzles to find the killer.
The resources the audience is given is all very nicely organised and from there, it’s fast-paced and there’s a lot to do to solve the clues and to find the murderer. It’s lots of fun to do in teams. It’s okay if you’re alone, someone will let you be part of their team. That’s what happened to me due to an unfortunate circumstance.
A creative mix of entertaining stories are well acted out between each character, intelligently, resembling someone who you could believe would be playing The Traitors. Some are told whilst you also work through the puzzles with the clever choice of music – Danse Macabre (Jonathon Creek theme tune music), playing in the background, adding to the mysterious atmosphere.
From start to finish, A Highly Suspect Murder Mystery – The Betray-tors is pure fun. The sort of highly engaging fun you don’t want to miss out on.
It’s Murder… but not as you know it. The audience participate in choosing a murder weapon and a place, so no show is the same. A Jessica Fletcher type character takes note of this improvised show and rounds up her suspects in true cosy crime style at the end, but can you figure out who the murderer is? The victim, the culprit, the plot is never the same each night, due to this intelligent format.
The improvisation as seamless as though it was script-written, but honestly isn’t. What emerges is highly skilled improv as characters are quickly created to suit the roles and situations in a way that is funny and compelling.
What is created is something Jessica Fletcher definitely didn’t write has hilarious outcomes as they interweave the audiences suggestions into their murder mystery.
When I saw this, there was a sharp chicken nugget and a woman who had crocodile tendencies and a red carpet event and Love Island. The charismatic cast mix these bizarre situations without corpsing and create light and shade to create a wonderfully compelling plot.
You can check out more info and how to buy your ticket here:
Shoot From the Hip is back for a limited run at their biggest Edinburgh Fringe Festival to date and it was packed. It takes the premise of everything is purely improvised in comedic story-telling and games. The audience is asked for made up movie titles, genres etc, so every show is different in content surrounding the games.
It’s fast-paced, with Sam Russell at the helm of the group. The group gel well together and each perform improv expertly. There are no gaps in performance, meaning their thinking on their feet happens very quickly. Each scene and game with extremely funny results.
Shoot From The Hip is the perfect laughter therapy. Be prepared to laugh from beginning to end.
Shoot from the Hip is highly entertaining and hilarious throughout.
Tartan Tables embodies an interesting concept that would be familiar to those who played Dungeon’s and Dragons in the 90’s. I was not one of those people, but it is explained how the game is played and its easy to catch on with how it goes.
Under the premise of a Dungeon’s and Dragon’s game, each show is different and with a different guest star, who most likely has a show of their own at the Fringe Festival, popping in each night. When I went, taking a chance as I had a space in my schedule, the theme was The Wizard of Oz. Each actor took on a character from the film and acted it out, weaving a bit of familiarity in a fantasy world with some real world satire.
The way the characters were introduced and the immersive feel to the world-building captured attention as did the idea of a dice that rolled for the next step in the story opening up all sorts of possibilities in the sphere of improvised comedy. As the story went along, there were peaks and troughs to the quality of the improv. There were many times on the day I went to see it where you could tell the cast were really working hard to find an idea to carry the story forward as they laughed with each other. There were moments when it did run smoothly and as you would expect, but I feel this group are somewhere between having some of their act polished and the rest of it, nearly reaching the mark, but not quite there yet.
They do have a different guest on, which may make a difference here and there as this means different experiences for different audiences will occur.
You can explore your ticket option into this fantasy realm here: Tartan Tabletop
Meet Tommy Cooper, Bob Monkhouse and Eric Morecambe in a dressing room. Sounds a bit surreal, right? But this is where a sparkling kind of magic occurs. They’re not just funny, but they’re funny, funny, see the show to get the reference. The Last Laugh is performed by:
Damien Williams plays Tommy Cooper Simon Cartwright plays Bob Monkhouse Bob Golding plays Eric Morecambe
I saw The Last Laugh at the Theatre Royal, Glasgow which is what this review is based on. I first saw it and reviewed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. It is on a grand tour, more details later in this piece. I don’t often go to see a show more than once. This is that good and finely honed. I have written a new review to give you something different to read. Just shows, there’s a lot to glean from this show, but no spoilers… I also have a whole extra bit to reveal… I thought The Last Laugh deserved a second viewing in a bigger theatre to see how it faired. I am so pleased to say, it still has the same magic, if not more and is on tour now. See details about how you can get your hands on tickets too after the synopsis and my full review below…
Synopsis
The Last Laugh sees three legendary comedians – Tommy Cooper, Eric Morecambe and Bob Monkhouse – sitting in a dressing room, discussing the secret of life, death, comedy and what it means to be funny. Written and directed by the award-winning Paul Hendy and starring Edinburgh Fringe-legend Bob Golding as Morecambe, Damian Williams as Cooper and Simon Cartwright as Monkhouse, The Last Laugh is warm, funny, nostalgic and poignant.
Review
3 actors walk into a dressing room… They’re not just funny, but they’re funny, funny (see the show for that reference).
From the moment Damien Williams walked on stage as Tommy Cooper, (check out the feet) with the famous chuckle that builds and builds, it got off to a strong start. This strength never dipped throughout the show. By the time Simon Cartwright as Bob Monkhouse and Bob Golding as Eric Morecambe enter the theatre dressing room, the atmosphere is palpable and the compelling nature of this play gets even stronger.
There are some lovely, heartwarming touches, not only between the comedians who are being played, but also with a montage of pictures and chat about other comedians who have also dearly departed the earthly stage.
The repartee as they try out their acts and just chat feels so realistic, as do the mannerisms, personalities, costume and make-up. There are parts that the audience are subtly made aware of about the state of the comedians health, and perhaps not so subtly in Tommy Cooper’s at times, but at times, it is nuanced, with an expression, a certain positioning of the body. Damien Williams carefully lets you see beyond the laughter and at the same time, Simon Cartwright and Bob Monkhouse are also doing something noticeably funny at the other end of the stage. There’s something sophisticated and clever about how this all works. There are fantastic references to each of the shows Tommy Cooper, Bob Monkhouse, Eric Morecambe were in.
The talent doesn’t stop there. There’s music from a ukulele and songs to be heard, all done live by the actors.
The poignancy, the sacrifices the partnerships they have or in Monkhouse’s case, had is not only fascinating, but draws you closer to each of them as the actors allow you a glimpse into their inner thoughts and emotions. There are moments when it gets quite deep and then suddenly switches to another joke.
The actors always look like they’re having a ball on stage and the audience were all enjoying themselves too. The energy and passion they bring leaps off the stage and is palpable in the auditorium of the theatre.
I feel like I could write more, but I don’t want to give away any spoilers.
There is a newly added interval and the second half brings a Q&A session, which they all handled magnificently. They are passionate about who they’re playing and it just oozes from stage to audience.
The way it ends is cleverly done and follows from the poignancy that appears throughout the show. There is a bit of a bittersweetness to it all because of course none of the comedians are alive, but if they were, I think they’d approve. I like to think so anyway because the actors have done them and the audience justice. They’ve also given dead comedians a new lease of life in a considered, thoughtful manner. I feel this show will go from strength to strength and I think the actors could play more of these “old-timers”.
We were informed about the tour going on this year and the following year. I was in awe by it last year. I am still in awe this year and how this has grown from the Fringe to the West-end to New York and back to touring in the UK is deserved. can’t praise the concept, the writing nor the actors highly enough!
This is a show you can easily watch again and still be highly entertained.
Discover further information about how you can also see The Last Laugh here: Tour Dates and Booking
Interview hosted by Louise Cannon with Comedian, Robyn Perkins and Psychologist, Dr. Carolyne Keenan Shrink Wrapped: A Psychologist Analysis Live On Stage
Comedy For The Curious – Shrink Wrapped The Lounge at Laughing Horse @ The Counting House 31 Jul – 24 Aug 20:45 1 hour
Welcome, Robyn Perkins and Dr. Carolyne Keenan to Bookmarks and Stages. Thank you for your time in answering all my questions in an in-depth, fascinating manner.
Robyn Perkins is a multi-award winning comedian with hit shows such as Comedy for the Curious. She is said to like investigating life. She tackles big emotionally charged subjects and brings it back to the audience with relatable humour and anecdotes.
Dr. Carolyne Keenan is a fully-qualified, licenced, registered psychologist who is founder and clinical director @ Lotus Psychology Ltd. She has also featured on BBC Radio 1 in programmes such as the popular, Life Hacks, The Independent, Psychology Today and more…
The idea of bringing comedians on-stage together in a group therapy type of scenario, with a psychologist really analysing them, sounds a fascinating and original show. It’s a pleasure to interview you both about this, covering what you hope audiences will get from this, what psychologists really think of clients and so much more… The answers truly are fascinating and insightful. Firstly, we will check out the synopsis and then on to the Q&A before details on where you can catch Shrink Wrapped in Edinburgh.
Ever been deep in a therapy session and gone: I want to know what the hell she’s thinking? Well now’s your chance… with comedians in the hot seat. Join award-winning comedian Robyn Perkins and real-life psychologists (Dr Ruchi Sinha, Dr Carolyne Keenan or Dr Edel McGlanaghy) for the most entertaining therapy session you’ll ever witness. Guest comedians perform their best material, before submitting themselves to gentle psychological probing in front of a live audience. Don’t worry, we’ve got more safe words than a BDSM convention.
Without further ado, let’s begin with the questions I have for you:
Robyn, What gave you the idea to have a comedy show around the topic of therapy and then add in real psychologists into the mix?
It actually started in Adelaide when I had one of our psychologists on Comedy for the Curious (my science comedy panel show, also in Edinburgh). During the show, the psychologist (Dr. Ruchi Sinha) just read all of the comedian guests, from a psychological point of view. After the show, we chatted about how that would make an incredible show on its own, and the raw idea was born. From there, I have developed the idea into a full-blown panel show, developing the structure into what it is today.
Dr. Keenan, how did you become involved in this show and how is it being in the mix of a comedy show and at the same time giving your psychological opinion in front of a live audience?
I was invited to be part of Shrink Wrapped because I had already been a guest expert on Robyn’s show Comedy for the Curious. We had been working together for a while when Robyn came up with the concept for Shrink Wrapped. I’ve always believed psychology shouldn’t just stay in clinic rooms or textbooks, it should be part of everyday life. When Robyn described the show and the concept of combining comedy with psychological insights, I thought it was brilliant.
Being part of a comedy show is exciting and I love meeting all the comedians. It’s different from my therapy work but it uses the same skills- listening deeply, noticing patterns, and reflecting back what I hear. The difference is that on stage, we’re exploring these insights with humour, warmth, and openness in front of a live audience. I love that it makes psychology accessible and fun, while also highlighting the very real human truths that comedy often touches on.
Dr. Keenan, can you give an example of what do psychologists think of their clients, since that is a little of what’s billed in the show that makes it sound so interesting?
People often wonder what psychologists really think about their clients. The reality is, we’re human and often I’m thinking very similar things to what you might be:
“I wish they could see how great they are.”
“They really need to get rid of this idiot, they’d be so much happier.”
“I wish they would focus less on how much their favourite influencer has helped them and give the sessions we have been having some credit!”
In Shrink Wrapped, the audience gets a playful glimpse into how psychologists analyse behaviour and language. For example, a comedian might make a joke about not feeling good enough growing up and I might explore whether that contributed to their attraction to a job where they are constantly seeking immediate and positive approval from an audience. It’s done with kindness and humour though, not judgement, which is what makes it so engaging.
Robyn, Shrink Wrapped has done hugely well at the Adelaide Fringe having sell-out shows. What can people in Edinburgh expect and what do you hope they take away with them at the end of the show?
The concept of Shrink Wrapped seems to intrigue most people, but I think it is the structure behind it that gives the show it’s depth. I have worked with a few psychologists to refine a list of topics we explore across the shows (eg. Conflict, Trust, Romantic Relationships, etc.). Each show tackles a few of the topics in a group therapy session between 3 comedians and a psychologist.
Because the discussion is based in real therapy concepts, the show inherently flips between serious and funny, emotional and light hearted. Equally, I have chosen comedians who are, by nature, quite vulnerable on stage so the chat will occasionally reach emotional moments. However, with 3 comedians on stage at one time, this also means we are desperate to crack a joke if it gets too intense. It is the ebb and the flow of these moments that really makes the show special.
Additionally, since we are talking about real events and real people, we have found that audiences relate to at least one of the comedians on stage, in an ‘I do that’ or ‘that’s me’ kind of way. We are hoping that this can also spark conversations about mental health in a positive and fun way. I know using humour to explore mental health is not a new concept, but watching 3 comedians talk about their mental health in the form of a live therapy session is new territory we are excited to be exploring.
This year in Edinburgh, we are doing the Free Fringe (free entry with donations after the show), and while you cannot book ahead, based on feedback we have had about the show, we are expecting to be just as busy as Adelaide.
Dr. Keenan, what do you hope the audience will have learnt and take away with them by the end of the show?
I hope the audience leaves with:
A sense of relief – realising we all have quirks and struggles, and humour can be a brilliant way to explore them.
A new curiosity about themselves and others – understanding that behaviour always makes sense when you look deeper.
A feeling of connection – seeing comedians open up about their lives helps us feel less alone in our own messy human experiences.
Ultimately, I want people to feel entertained, uplifted, and inspired to reflect on their own lives with more compassion and humour.
For both Dr. Keenan and Robyn, how did you convince 8 comedians to be on stage doing some form of group therapy with 3 psychologists present. Was this an easy or hard task to do?
Dr. KEENAN: I think comedians are naturally curious and brave, they’re used to being vulnerable on stage and they quite like talking about themselves! When they realised this show wasn’t about picking them apart but about exploring their material and personalities in a fun, supportive way, they were on board.
Also, Robyn’s energy and the framing of the show as “science comedy” rather than “group therapy” helped. It wasn’t about fixing them – it was about exploring some of their material through a psychological lens. That made it feel safe and exciting rather than threatening.
ROBYN PERKINS: Similar to what Dr. Keenan has said – as a comedian we love talking about ourselves! But more than that, comedians are curious by nature. I have been overwhelmed by the number of comedians who have asked to be on the show. It’s been fantastic! No convincing necessary!
For both Robyn and Dr. Keenan, what did you both learn from doing this type of show that you would take forward into your careers moving forward and would you do something similar again in the future?
Dr. KEENAN: For me, it reinforced how powerful humour is in making psychological concepts accessible. People learn best when they’re engaged and laughing. I also learnt that psychology belongs everywhere – not just therapy rooms but in arts, media, and entertainment. I regularly take part in BBC Radio One’s Sunday evening show Life Hacks where we take topics that impact the listeners and explore the psychology behind them. We often have call in questions so I’m comfortable thinking on my feet and making these insights accessible and actionable but doing it in front of a live audience on stage has helped me practice those skills and feel even more comfortable with it.
I’d absolutely love to do something similar again. Bringing psychology to audiences in creative ways is something I’m deeply passionate about, and Shrink Wrapped has been a perfect example of how that can work- long may the show continue!
ROBYN PERKINS: I have learned I probably need to do more therapy! I have actually learned a lot about myself, both from comments about me and my set, but I’ve also learned things from watching others. I am hoping this show continues far into the future.
What made you choose Edinburgh Fringe for Shrink Wrapped and what are your plans for where this show can go next?
I go to the Fringe every year, and do the global festival circuit, so it was a no brainer to bring it to EdFringe! Through at least December, we are performing monthly at Top Secret Comedy Club in London at the moment. We will bring the show back to Australia next year. But also, we are looking to potentially start touring the show around theatres and the rest of the UK. The possibilities are endless!
Bookmarks and Stages by Lou 