Reimagining the lives of three of Britain’s greatest comedy icons – Eric Morecambe, Tommy Cooper and Bob Monkhouse – The Last Laugh is a new laugh-a-minute play written and directed by Paul Hendy.

Ahead of its run at Torquay’s Princess Theatre next month, we caught up with cast members Steve Royle, Damian Williams and Simon Cartwright to talk nostalgia, touring and timeless comedy.

The names Morecambe, Cooper and Monkhouse instantly evoke nostalgia. Steve Royle, playing Eric Morecambe, recalls Christmases gathered round the television, unforgettable sketches like the André Previn routine, and childhood attempts to recreate them at home.

“Those memories still feel fresh,” he said. “I still hum the tunes without thinking.”

Damian Williams credits Tommy Cooper as his inspiration for entering show business. “I remember watching him with my dad and seeing him cry with laughter,” he added. “Tommy is the reason I do what I do.” Simon Cartwright remembers watching Bob Monkhouse on shows such as The Golden Shot and Bob’s Full House. “They’re memories of happier family times when everyone watched together.”

So what is The Last Laugh about?

Steve describes it as “a comic’s guide to comedy,” exploring friendship, pressure and what it truly means to make people laugh. Damian adds that it’s “the closest you’ll get to spending 80 minutes with these men,” full of warmth, nostalgia and insight. Simon believes its resonance lies in reminding audiences of an era when families shared entertainment together. “People remember those halcyon days of the 60s and 70s.”

Damian and Simon have already taken the show from the Edinburgh Fringe to the West End and New York. “The response has blown our minds,” said Damian. Simon notes emotional reactions, particularly from older men reconnecting with memories of a more innocent era of comedy. “There was no agenda beyond making people feel good.”

Steve Royle joins the company for the tour and says the experience has been hugely immersive. He praises the support of the cast, Paul Hendy, and predecessor Bob Golding. “I’ve even learned to play the ukulele,” he laughs. “That’s a skill for life.”

The cast are keen to avoid caricature. Steve brings empathy drawn from personal experience of the comedian’s life: loneliness, fear of failure and missed family moments. “There’s a contrast between the confidence on stage and the fears beneath.” Damian aimed to play Tommy as the man, not an impression, while Simon draws on having known Bob Monkhouse personally. “We’re going for truth and sentiment.”

Looking ahead, the tour promises many highlights. Damian is excited to introduce new audiences to the show, while Simon relishes performing in places the comedians themselves once played. Steve, meanwhile, is eager to explore the towns in depth – running shoes and history books packed.

Ultimately, the cast hopes audiences leave with more than laughter. “A smile and that warm feeling nostalgia brings,” says Steve. Damian promises laughter and tears in equal measure, and Simon hopes younger audiences discover these legends anew. “It’s about keeping the golden age of British comedy alive.”

Tickets for The Last Laugh, which runs from June 9 to 13, can be booked at www.atgtickets.com/venues/princess-theatre-torquay.