Hancock’s Half Hour to take to the stage of the Theatre Royal

Theatre-goers are in for a treat when they will be able to take a trip to 23 Railway Cuttings, East Cheam, to join Tony Hancock and his motley crew for three classic episodes of his hilarious show later this month and into March.

For the Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds is welcoming Apollo Theatre Company back with their new touring production of another radio comedy classic in Hancock’s Half Hour.

Following the success of their previous productions of The Goon Show and Round the Horne, the cast will perform classic scripts from the original series presented in the style of a radio recording.

In 1954, Tony Hancock burst onto the airwaves of the BBC Light Programme with a comedy show unlike anything the British public had heard before.

Playing a less successful version of himself and surrounded by a cast of fellow comedy greats including Sid James, Hattie Jacques and Kenneth Williams, Hancock’s Half Hour was one of the first programmes in the genre we now know as sitcom.

Written by young up-and-comers Ray Galton and Alan Simpson, who later went on to create Steptoe and Son, Hancock’s Half Hour redefined radio comedy and has had people laughing non-stop for the past 65 years.

The cast includes James Hurn (Dead Ringers, Hancock & Co.) as Tony Hancock and Colin Elmer (Round the Horne,The Goon Show) as Kenneth Williams, alongside a cast of brilliant actors who will bring to life the stars of yester-year who may be gone, but certainly not forgotten.

Producer and director Tim Astley said: “Hancock’s Half Hour was one of the greatest comedy shows of all time and it is truly an honour to be able to bring it to the stage. Tony Hancock’s genius ‘put-upon’ persona had such an influence on so many great comedy characters from Basil Fawlty to David Brent and it cannot be underestimated quite how much he helped shape comedy as we know it today. This show, which recreates the BBC recording studio of the 1950s, will create a unique experience for fans both old and new.”

Hancock’s Half Hour has four performances at Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds, Thursday to Saturday, February 28 to March 2.

Tickets are on sale at the Box Office, call 01284 769505, book online at www.theatreroyal.org/shows/hancocks-half-hour/or visit the theatre in person.