LEGENDARY comedy duo, Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise, are celebrated in Salisbury.

Join actors Ian Ashpitel and Jonty Stephens for An Evening of Eric & Ern at Salisbury Playhouse from tomorrow (October 31) until Saturday (November 2).

Crammed full of renditions of those famous comedy sketches, coupled with contemporary references in their unique style.

Ian Ashpitel and Jonty Stephens have been performing and writing as Eric and Ern for almost five years.

Jonty says: “I have been fascinated with Eric Morecambe for as long as I can remember.

“I took on his persona at school and it never really left me. He was the funniest and loveliest of men. We both feel it’s a privilege to play Eric and Ernie and some people have said it’s like we’re channelling them - some nights it does feel like that”.

Ian and Jonty met at drama school more than 30 years ago and continued their friendship playing golf together at The Stage Golf Society in Richmond. When Jonty was asked to play Eric at a charity show he knew that with his diminutive stature, Ian would be the perfect Ernie Wise. Having brought the house down the two then wrote some ‘bespoke’ material for their friends at the golf club.

Ian explains: “It was these performances which laid the foundation for a very long and incredible journey that led to rave reviews at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.”

“We do treasure the relationship we have with each other – as did Eric and Ernie and I think it’s obvious that we love performing the comedy of Morecambe and Wise.”.

Jonty said: “More importantly, the audiences love watching it - which is always handy. But it’s more than just watching a comedy show - there’s a real emotional connection, because we all remember watching it together. The audience reaction has been amazing.”

Go to wiltshirecreative.co.uk or call 01722 320333.