Toyah Wilcox is starring in a new film written by Shakers writer John Godber, called The Last Laugh. The film depicts the universal problems many people face in modern life through the eyes of a failed writer, Martin. Martin is a man who has failed as a screenwriter, a son, a father, teacher and most recently as a husband – having embarked on a brief affair with a film agent. What else can Martin do other than have a go at stand-up comedy?
Toyah plays Martin’s mother-in-law, Pam, Martin’s mother-in-law, a successful actor of stage and screen – including sitcom – who he is desperate to impress. John Godber said of filming character Martin’s stand-up routine: “We had 150 real people who were responding genuinely to the routines [shot in Hull’s Welly Club music venue] and some of them died, which was great for the film. Martin’s commenting on the life he’s tired of and some of it’s funny and some of its cringeworthy. But it’s enlightening for him because he realises where he’s been going wrong in life.”
The Last Laugh will be released in April 2017 to coincide with Hull becoming the UK’s City of Culture
