THE comic legacy of a legendary duo’s partnership is revived at the Beacon Arts Centre this month.

Scottish entertainers Liam Dolan and Johnny Mac are looking forward to returning to Greenock with their show Francie and Josie: A Tribute to Rikki Fulton and Jack Milroy.

Johnny said: “We’re both really looking forward to being back in Greenock and entertaining the local audiences.

“We love the Beacon’s vibe and we know we’ll get a great welcome.

“Our last visit was such a lot of fun – we can’t wait to be back on stage there again.”

The performers are playing in the town as part of their third Scottish tour.
But they weren’t even born when their heroes first introduced their successful Francie and Josie act in 1958.

Liam explained his fascination with the veteran comedians, saying: “My grandad had a Francie and Josie LP that I used to play constantly when I went to visit. 

While Johnny said: “My gran lived with us and we had a video of them that I used to watch and do impressions of the routines to make her laugh. I also saw them at the Glasgow Garden Festival in 1988.”

They were inspired to do a show after getting approval for a sketch they did by Mary Lee, Jack Milroy’s widow.

Johnny said: “She came to meet us afterwards and said: ‘Boys that was great – you should be touring this’.”

The pair prepared for the show by listening to recording, watching videos and DVDs and rehearsing together.

Liam said: “It can be quite difficult because the material is so funny.

“It’s sometimes tricky during performances when the 
audiences are howling with laughter and we’re not meant to be and have to keep our expressions deadpan.”

They say that the secret of Francie and Josie’s success was that everyone knew characters like them.

Johnny said: “Their comedy was genius. These were cleverly-written, funny routines and people could relate to them in their everyday life.”

The timeless appeal of the gentle comedy is proving as popular today, almost 60 years later.

Johnny said: “Reaction and comments have been overwhelming and we want to keep the memory of Francie and Josie alive for as long as we can, and of course introduce them to a younger generation too.”

The partnership also received the support of the veteran comedians themselves and their families have since been to watch new double act in action.

Liam said: “Both Jack Milroy and Rikki Fulton knew about our tribute to them before they passed away and thankfully gave us their full blessing. 

“Since then Jack Milroy’s widow Mary Lee has been to see the show and loved it.”

Another even more famous character Rikki Fulton’s Rev I M Jolly is also set to make an appearance as part of the performance, which is sure to delight fans. The show at the Beacon runs on March 4 at 2.30pm and 7.30pm.