After its limited time on television, Early Doors achieved cult status. What started out as a limited stage run in Salford in 2018 has gestated into something much bigger.
Jon Henshaw, as landlord Ken, opens up the show, bellowing What A Wonderful Morning. It’s clear he has marriage on the mind as he practices proposing to his love, Tanya. What ensues is a masterclass in comic writing and timing that has the crowd in tears of both joy and sadness.
The perennially miserable and opinionated Tommy continues to swerve happiness but now he’s lumbered with IBS - irritable b*****d syndrome, according to Ken.
Traffic is still problematic for Freddie and June, the pub bores. The ability of Craig Cash and Phil Mealey to write entertaining scripts about the banal and the mundane is wonderful, with superbly-timed double entendres. It's executed with precision by Neil Hurst and Vicky Binns.
Each character gets their chance to shine. Crime can’t crack itself, and Phil and Nige savour the chance to share stories with Ken whilst quaffing his alcohol. They claim to be coppers, not idiots, but their escapades suggest otherwise.
The biggest laughs are reserved for the show’s creators, especially when they’re having a ciggie outside the pub. Duffy has an online persona for internet dating – he delights in sharing his encounters with Joe, who doesn’t need women in his life anymore (apart from his mum).
An enthusiastic laugh from the front row catches Cash off guard as he is on the phone to his mum lamenting the world and if it could get any worse. ‘WHO’S PRIME MINISTER?’ he bellows in dismay to the delight of the Salford crowd.
Online dating comes back to bite Duffy as another regular at The Grapes, Debbie, has an online persona too. Fate, or a swipe, throws them together as all their profile lies are hilariously laid bare amongst the regulars.
The largest cheer of the night is for Hurst’s operatic turn as part of a musical number as Ken attempts to woo Tanya again by pleading for one more chance at the finale.
Early Doors is a wonderful show that has the ability to move from genuine belly laughs to tugging at the heart strings in the space of a couple of emotional lines. It's a deftly delivered comedy that is ultimately full of joy, warmth and an abundance of wit.
TO THE REGIMENT!
