Interview: Paul Hendy, The Last Laugh

13 Jun

Ahead of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2024 we’re chatting with a range of creatives who will be heading to the city over August to find out more about their shows. Today we’re chatting with writer Paul Hendy about their piece, The Last Laugh.

Can you tell us a bit about you and your career so far.

I worked for many years as a TV presenter on TV shows such as The Disney Club, Wheel of Fortune and Don’t Try This at Home with Davina McCall. I started a production company with my wife, Emily in 2004. We specialize in quality productions with the emphasis on high production values and strong casting.

What is your show about?

It’s a brand new play called THE LAST LAUGH. In the play, Tommy Cooper, Eric Morecambe and Bob Monkhouse sit in a dressing room discussing the secret of life, death and comedy.

What was the inspiration The Last Laugh and what’s the development process been to get to this stage?

I’ve always been fascinated by what makes something, or more importantly someone, funny, I wrote this piece to examine those very questions and to delve into the mechanics and intricacies behind the comedy. For me, and for many others, it seems, memories of watching these comedy greats on television as a family are seminal childhood memories. These heroes who made children, parents and grandparents all howl with laughter became gods to people like me embarking on a career in entertainment. I grew spellbound as I wondered what these three men with very different styles and approaches to comedy would say to each other about the pressure of always having to be funny… of always having to have the last laugh. As this year marks the fortieth anniversary of the deaths of great Tommy Cooper and Eric Morecambe, this play is my love letter to the golden age of comedy.

What made you want to take The Last Laugh to the Fringe?

I directed a play called Lena (about the tragic life of Lena Zavaroni) at the Fringe last year, and I loved the whole experience.

Apart from seeing The Last Laugh what’s your top tip for anybody heading for Edinburgh this summer?

We’re also producing a show called Shantify… West End Show Tunes, Pop Bangers and Rock Classics all the get Shantified! Think West End meets Fishermen’s Friends. It’s a great fun show so I would definitely recommend it.