SeatPlan Logo
Dead Funny hero image
Dead Funny hero image
Dead Funny hero image

Dead Funny Tickets

Vaudeville Theatre

The hilarious comedy Dead Funny by Terry Johnson returned to the West End stage for a strictly limited run at the Vaudeville Theatre in London in autumn 2016, starring Katherine Parkinson, Steve Pemberton & Ralph Little.

The hilarious comedy Dead Funny by Terry Johnson returned to London’s West End for a strictly limited season at the Vaudeville Theatre. The production began previews on the 27th October 2016 and ran until 4th February 2017.

The story follows Eleanor, who wants a child. Her husband, Richard, would indulge her if it wasn’t for the fact his time is taken up running the Dead Funny Society.

When British legends of comedy Frankie Howard and Benny Hilly both fall fowl of the Reaper in the same week, the society gathers for a celebration of laughter and comedy. For Eleanor however, it is not easy to see the funny side of things, especially when your marriage is more dead than either Morecambe or Wise.

The IT Crowd and Humans star Katherine Parkinson took the role of Eleanor, while Steve Pemberton, best known for his work in The League of Gentlemen and Benidorm played the role of Brian.

Ralf Little, best known from sitcoms The Royle Family and Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps played Nick, with Emily Berrington (The Inbetweeners 2, Humans) as Lisa and Rufus Jones (W1a, Hunderby) as Richard.

Terry Johnson returned to direct this genius comedy that was first performed in 1994 starring Zoe Wanamaker and David Haig, when it received the Writers Guild Award for Best West End Play, the Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Play and the Time Out Drama Award. As funny as it is moving, Dead Funny was definitely not to be missed.

Terry Johnson is a much loved playwright and director who has had his work performed all across the globe, while landing him a dozen major theatre awards. His play Cleo, Camping, Emmanuelle and Dick won the Olivier Award for Best Comedy in 1998, while Hysteria won the same award four years earlier. He has also directed a range of work of both his own and written by others, including most recently The Duck House and Oh What A Lovely War.

With an all-star cast and one of the funniest writer/directors to have ever graced the West End stage, Dead Funny was one of the most hotly talked about comedies of the year and was not to be missed. With an official opening on 3rd November 2016 and preview performances having began on 27th October 2016, Dead Funny ran for a strictly limited season at the Vaudeville Theatre until 4th February 2017.

Sorry this show closed 04 February 2017, we recommend these similar productions.

Unicorn
My Master Builder
Fawlty Towers
Performance dates:
03 Feb 2017 - 04 Feb 2017
Running time:
2 hours and 20 minutes including an interval.
Age recommendation:
Suitable for ages 15+
Audience Notes:
Terry Johnson is one of the funniest dramatists working today. For anyone who is a fan of truly hilarious theatre, you should not miss the chance to see the master of comedy put on one of his most acclaimed plays with a brilliant all-star cast. Fans of his recent plays such as Piano/Forte and Hitchcock Blonde should make the most of the chance to see one of his classics performed.
Categories:

Dead Funny Reviews

4.0
60 Reviews
  • 5 Stars35%
  • 4 Stars38%
  • 3 Stars18%
  • 2 Stars8%
  • 1 Stars0%

User Reviews

Verified

The show was much better than I had anticipated. Lots of references to classic television comedians, and some naughty/cheeky bits which only added to the British humour of the piece. I think this show would be understood and appreciate more by peop Read more

Performance date: 14 January 2017

An odd show that isn't quite entertaining enough for a comedy and not quite profound enough for a drama so gets stuck somewhere between the two.

Performance date: 31 October 2016
Verified

A very funny comedy harking back to the likes of Benny Hill and Morecambe & Wise. It featured fabulous performances, particularly from Katherine Parkinson who was on top form. It was a hugely enjoyable evening and a well-written, well staged show.

Performance date: 01 February 2017
1/20
Your basket is empty.