Title: Being Tommy Cooper
Description: Las Vegas 1954: Tommy Cooper faces the prospect of his first big failure. As personal and professional problems collide, he faces stark choices about the future. Moving between the 1950s and 1970s, the play also tells the story of three other people in Tommy's life. There's his dour Scottish manager Miff Ferrie, with whom Tommy is locked in what he calls "a hate-hate relationship". They rely on each other, but can hardly bear to be in the same room. Will Tommy follow up on his threats to break free? We also meet Billy Glason, a one time vaudeville act who has set himself the almost impossible task of selling Cooper a huge collection of jokes. After 30 years on stage, he is now living the life of a travelling salesman, with any profits he makes disappearing all too quickly into slot machines. Finally, there is Mary Kay - the woman with whom Tommy fell in love and whom he came to rely on. There is only one woman she can't compete with: Tommy's wife. Mary loves Tommy, but can she continue to withstand his abuse? Packed with classic lines and hilarious routines, Being Tommy Cooper is a celebration of Britain's favourite comedian and an exploration of his darker side.
Subjects: Drama, Comedians, Traveling sales personnel, Drama (dramatic works by one author)
People: Tommy Cooper (1922-1984)