THIS TOURING tribute to the life and comic creations of Rikki Fulton is at its best when recreating such characters as Francie and Josie, the Rev I. M. Jolly and Supercop, writes Joy Watters, at the Whitehall Theatre, Dundee.

From teaming up with Jack Milroy for stage and TV to the latter years of Scotch And Wry, the piece brings the characters and well-loved gags back with an affectionate enthusiasm.

The script by Tony Roper and Philip Differ has a biographical element too, although the initial stages showing the birth of Rikki, actually Robert, are treated like a comic sketch.

His life story is interspersed with the comic material, and sometimes it feels like two plays.

There is then a complete change of mood in the latter stages as Rikki recognises the Alzheimer’s which was to steal his final years in a harrowing scene which almost makes one feel one is going into an area where one should not venture.

The writers drew on the book by Rikki’s wife, Kate, which described the couple’s life together, plus their experiences of working and being with him.

Roper also plays the comedy legend, at his best when inhabiting the well-loved characters.

The script tells of how difficult Fulton, the perfectionist, was to work with and how he easily fell out with people but we do not see that side of him.

The highlight of the show is when Roper and Gerard Kelly come on as Francie and Josie and the theatre was filled with laughter.

Kelly, who also directs, is a brilliant comic actor and the pair work beautifully together.

There’s nothing like the sheer delight of being part of a crowd, hysterical with laughter and appreciating good old entertainment.

Rikki & Me has a cast of just four—Alyson Orr plays Kate, ever the lady and bravely trying to cope at the end, while Stevie Hannan takes on 18 roles, including God, and makes the most of them all.

With the Whitehall run finished, Rikki & Me is at Perth from October 26 to 28.