Once upon a time before catch up TV millions of people used to sit around in their millions on Christmas Day to watch hit shows with Only Fools and Horses being an annual festive ratings buster.
So, it was obvious it would become a stage show, but what was more surprising that the antics of dodgy Peckham street trader Derek ‘Del Boy’ Trotter and his gormless bruv Rodney would end up as the sort of musical Cockney knees up you might have dahn the boozer. Thankfully the producers have gone for early Fools and Horses before the show really jumped the shark when the Trotters actually became millionaires, so Granddad is their sidekick rather than that unfunny buffoon Uncle Albert.
The TV series was created by legendary comedy writer John Sullivan, and his son Jim, working with comedy great Paul Whitehouse, have both done a great job of condensing the essence of 64 episodes into two hours of charming East End nonsense. The plot is light like the TV series, but full of cushty gags, physical humour and Del Boy merrily mangling English and loads of other languages.
We’re in pre yuppie Peckham in 1989 as Rodney is preparing to marry the lovely Cassandra. Del Boy is looking for love through a dating agency – no swiping left here – where he meets the wannabe actress Raquel who will be familiar to fans of the show. But will a deal with local gangsters the Driscoll Brothers scupper his latest scam?
Playing such an iconic character like Del Boy could be a poisoned chalice, so full marks to Sam Lupton who very cleverly takes elements of David Jason’s brilliance but brings plenty of himself to this chancer with a heart. His comic timing is spot on as he anchors a big cast with huge energy and cheeky patter working well with Georgina Hagen’s skilfully played Raquel. Lupton belts it out during raucous songs like Whitehouse’s composition Mange Tout and the hilarious Bit Of A Sort. Lovely jubbly work Sam.
Tom Major is equally good as Rodney successfully capturing Nicolas Lyndhurst’s doleful voice and offers plenty of laughs as a decent lad looking to make his own way. His interplay with Nicola Munns’ middle class Cassandra is believable despite their differences.
Before he became the nation’s favourite angler Paul Whitehouse was an all time great comedy actor, so all his gags as Grandad are timed to perfection, and pays proper tribute to the late and much underrated Lennard Pearce who took the role on TV. Perhaps more surprisingly his singing is decent on big numbers like Where have All The Cockneys Gone? It was a real privilege to watch a comedy legend enjoying himself and having a proper knees up.
All the TV show’s rich array of supporting characters like Denzil, Mickey Pearce and Mike the Barman make an appearance on the Nag’s Head set, and Lee VG was sensational as Trigger stealing every scene he was in earning huge laughs. Craig Berry nailed Boycie’s pomposity and memorable laugh, while Munns doubled up wonderfully as long suffering Marlene.
The writers do tease a couple of the TV show’s greatest sight gags but you’ll have to find out for yourself if they make it into the show.
Chas Hodges contributed some of the music and most of the numbers have that Chas & Dave cheeky Cockney feel to them, but most people were here for the show’s iconic theme song where the cast performed with suitable gusto.
For Only Fools and Horses devotees this was a pukka night out, and for the rest of us it was a chance to watch gifted comic actors have loads of fun with some great lines.
Only Fools and Horses – The Hit Musical is at Leeds Grand until Saturday 1st March. To book 0113 243 0808 or www.leedsheritagetheatres.com
Reviewer: Paul Clarke
Reviewed: 25th February 2025
North West End UK Rating:
Rating: 3 out of 5.
