The Comedy Café - 17/12/2010

As a classic of children's literature, Frances Hodgson Burnett's "The Secret Garden" is often both dark in atmosphere and intense in emotion. A story of childhood loss and love it's a far cry from the former comedy roles of two of its cast members - Norman Pace, one half of comedy duo "Hale & Pace", and Graham Bickley of BBC hit sitcom "Bread". They join Janice Forsyth to talk about making the transition from comedy to 'serious' performing, and their part in this Tony Award-winning musical adaptation. The double act has been a staple of British comedy from Flanders & Swann to French & Saunders and its popularity shows no signs of waning. So how do today's comedy duo's compare to those of the Eric and Ernie tradition? As one half of "Hale & Pace" we get an insider's perspective from Norman Pace. And comedy critic with the London Evening Standard, Bruce Dessau, gives his take on which comedy partnerships have proven a winning formula. They're all over primetime TV, flogging dvds, on tour, fronting panel and chat shows, and even turning to non-comedic roles. And with our TV schedules promising a host of funny shows to keep us amused over the festive season are we in danger of over-dosing on comedians? We put it to Bruce Dessau.