one4review | On 16, Aug 2018

I went to this show with an element of trepidation, having been to a number of nostalgia shows based on the comedy stars of the 70s and 80s, some have worked well, others haven’t, but “Just Like That” at the Gilded Balloon certainly hits the mark. John Hewer is excellent as Tommy Cooper, perfectly capturing the timing, humour and all-round personality of the original larger than life character. Fans of Tommy Cooper have said that nobody could ever rival the true comic genius himself, but this is surely the closest that you could get. In fact, I would argue that this show might just be better, because it’s the “highlights show”, all of the best bits crammed into a wonderful hour of non-stop magic and comedy, with an enjoyable musical interlude. Tommy Cooper is one of those entertainers often described as timeless, able to transcend the generations. I wanted to test this theory and went to the show with a group varying in age from mid-20s to mid-50s, four of whom had never even heard of Tommy Cooper. I am pleased to say that everyone really enjoyed the show, with the younger ones exploring the internet afterwards to find out more about the man himself. I would recommend this show to anyone looking for an entertaining hour which will not disappoint. My only issue was, like the original, who tragically died of a heart attack on live television in 1984, it should have gone on much longer.
Reviewed By Howard
Gilded Balloon Teviot Nightclub
4pm
16th, 20th-23rd August