COMEDY heroes Morecambe and Wise are set to be brought back to life on the stage of a East Lancashire theatre.

Film crews will descend on Bacup’s Royal Court Theatre today to recreate an early routine starring the TV legends, as part of a new drama conceived by comic Victoria Wood.

Theatre bosses hope the exposure will give a much-needed shot in the arm for the Rochdale Road venue, which is run entirely by volunteers.

Eric and Ernie first teamed up in the 1930s and the story focuses on their formative years, leading up to their first TV series, Running Wild, in 1954.

And it is their struggle on the variety circuit while awaiting their big break which will take centre stage at the Royal Court.

Theatre spokesman Chris Bradley said: “We are delighted that the BBC have chosen our very historic theatre as a location for this drama.

“Morecambe and Wise were great favourites of ours and to think that we can contribute in this way is wonderful.

“From a financial perspective, the revenue from the hire of the theatre is a lifeline, as we have been struggling to encourage theatre-goers, despite the fact that we have been staging many award-nominated productions over the last 12 months.”

The film crew spent yesterday setting up at the 117-year-old theatre in advance of today’s shoot.

Fresh-faced Harry McEntire and Jonah Lees play the teenage Morecambe and Wise, with Bryan Dick and Daniel Rigby portraying them as grown-ups.

Vic Reeves takes on the role of Morecambe’s father, with Wood starring as his wife Sadie. The League of Gentlemen’s Reece Shearsmith has been cast as Ernie’s father Harry Wiseman.

Recalling her inspiration for the piece, Wood said: “We may think of Morecambe and Wise as that brilliant and much loved double act.

“But I’ve always thought that a film about their days as child performers in variety and their struggles to establish themselves would make a fantastic story.”

Production company Blue Door Adventures is making the programme for BBC Drama.

Life returns to normal for the Royal Court tomorrow as it stages the Johnny Cash Roadshow.

The theatre is home to Bacup Operatic and Dramatic Society, which recently notched up more than 30 nominations in the latest North West awards round-up.