“I had a ploughman’s lunch the other day. He wasn’t happy.” Tommy Cooper had them rolling in the aisles between the ‘50s and the ‘80s. His unique brand of groan-making gags and incompetent magic tricks made him a household name – and one of the most impersonated men in showbiz. All that came to a sudden, tragic end in 1984 when Tommy Cooper collapsed and died on stage during a performance that was being broadcast live on TV. Twenty years on, new life is being breathed into Tommy’s routines. Jerome Flynn (from TV’s ’Solider Soldier’ and ‘Badger’) dons the suit and fez and adopts the nervous cough. Time travel
 | | Jus' Like That!: Jerome Flynn as Tommy |
‘Jus’ Like That!’, scripted by John Fisher, is a celebration of the comedian. Three-quarters of the show is a re-enactment of his stage work. It’s a case of ‘bring on the dancing girls!’: we’re transported to a 1970s-style variety show complete with fishnet-stockinged high-kicking dancers and spangly stage curtains. Then we go back stage to Tommy Cooper’s dressing room to watch him knocking back the booze and chatting about his life as he prepares for the next act. We only get a tiny glimpse of Cooper’s private world before the showbiz starts again. Jerome Flynn is the essence of the big clown. His delivery is superb; his timing is immaculate. He had the audience at the Royal crying with laughter, in much the same way as the man himself did 20+ years ago. But the jokes don’t get any better! Send us your review of the show using the form below | 
