The Princess Theatre in Torquay, Devon, is celebrating its 65th anniversary this June with a production of The Last Laugh. The play will run from 9 to 13 June 2026, marking the theatre’s milestone almost to the day of its opening on 7 June 1961.
The show is particularly meaningful for the English Riviera landmark because it features actors portraying Tommy Cooper and Eric Morecambe. Tommy Cooper and the duo Morecambe & Wise (which included Eric Morecambe) topped the bill on the theatre’s opening night on 7 June 1961. The play imagines Cooper and Morecambe sharing a dressing room with another comedy great, Bob Monkhouse, as they talk about their lives and the secrets of making people laugh.
According to West End Theatre, the 2026 tour will see Steve Royle taking on the role of Eric Morecambe, joined by Damian Williams as Tommy Cooper and Simon Cartwright as Bob Monkhouse. The play arrives in South Devon after successful runs in London and at the Edinburgh Fringe, as confirmed by WhatsOnStage.
The venue was built by Torbay Borough Council at a cost of around £180,000 to replace a seasonal marquee and provide a permanent home for larger shows. Over the last 65 years it has hosted major acts, including The Beatles on 18 August 1963. This anniversary performance follows an auditorium and front-of-house refurbishment completed in Spring 2024 of the theatre’s 1,514-seat auditorium, ensuring it remains a major hub for entertainment in the community.
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