It’s the 1970s and funny men Alec, Angus and Rory are one of Scotland’s top comedy acts. And now they’re hitting the big time – top of the bill at the King's Theatre in Edinburgh – and it looks like they’re getting a TV show. This comedy trio are riding high and nothing’s going to stop them. Read more …
Fast forward to today and the three find themselves together again for the first time in decades. What happened to break the group up? Will they be able to put their past differences behind them? And why do they still care who gets the biggest laugh?
Starring Allan Stewart, Andy Gray and Grant Stott this brand new comedy written and directed by Ed Curtis (I Dreamed A Dream, Never Forget, Jolson & Co) with Allan Stewart tells a tale of friendship, ambition and regret. And of course laughter…lots and lots of laughter.
Don’t go to see this play expecting it to be a laugh a minute. It is not, but at the same time it is very funny indeed.
Allan Stewart, Andy Gray and Grant Stott breeze through the kinds of routines that once graced the London Palladium.
If the final reunion soft soaps things somewhat in favour of a feelgood ending that confirms that the show must go on whatever the cost, it's only because that's what entertainment expects.
Edinburgh’s panto stars make an enjoyable and thoughtful show out of a script that can’t match the greatest studies of the price of comedy - like Tom McGrath’s Laurel & Hardy - but that pursues the same themes with humanity and feeling, and a touch of inimitable showbiz flair.
While the use of black and white advertising posters remind us that this was all in their past. For many in the audience, this was their past too, though, so when a forecast “cheesy” ending materialises, it is almost possible to reach out and touch their affection and sympathy. Innocent days indeed.
If the moments of poignancy fall just short of the mark, the comedy rarely misses the target - and Stott’s joke about award winners may well be the best of the year.
This enjoyable slice of popular entertainment also illustrates just why Stewart, Gray and Stott make such a formidable team.
This is a lovely little piece for any viewer.
Canned Laughter will leave you reminiscing and chuckling, but little more than that.
Despite the story’s sadness of splits, and the inevitable wounding they cause, it fails to induce much real emotion beyond some gasps and some contrived ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs'.
Canned Laughter--Allan Stewart, Andy Gray and Grant Stott
Canned Laughter tour--'Fundamentally it's a play...'
On Tour, from Friday March 11, 2016, until Saturday April 2, 2016.
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