Scott Purvis-Armour reviews ‘a very well-acted and loving recreation of a classic.’
Whilst the Trotters were typically found peddling in London’s East End, the entertaining Only Fools and Horses musical proves the boys were always worthy of the West End. With Caroline Joy Ranger directing and choreographing, the production blows the dust off of the show’s old VHS tapes and finds something original amongst the nostalgia.
Broadly selling the early plot of John Sullivan’s beloved BBC sitcom, this bouncy pop musical ducks and dives through the get rich quick schemes of fraternal favourites, Del Boy and Rodney, as they navigate life, love and jellied eels in Peckham. A suitcase full of stolen treasures from the show, this is a very well-acted and loving recreation of a classic which smirks with the cheeky charm of a barrow boy.
The consistently excellent cast offer 100% gen-u-ine, authentique recreations of the original actors’ portrayals without becoming simple Madame Tussauds waxworks. Sam Lupton is perfectly pukka as Del Boy, an endearing tribute to David Jason’s camel-coated creation which never misses a mannerism or malapropism. British comedy legend Paul Whitehouse is adorably understated as the long-suffering Grandad and finds a poetic loneliness and freshness in a character often maligned for a quick punchline. Tom Major, too, makes a strong professional debut as resigned yet aspirational plonker Rodney, whilst Georgina Hagen has heart as Del Boy’s sweetheart, Raquel.
Although this West End quality cast makes this a largely cushty musical, it still falls through a few bars at times. Paul Whitehouse and Jim Sullivan’s original songs drop into scenes like crystal chandeliers and interrupt the well-paced comic sketches. Unfortunately, they are largely forgettable and, with five reprises in the first act alone and nine in total, the theme tune is repeated more here than on UK Gold (although Trigger might call that “Dave”). It’s only when the show lets its pearly kings and queens roll out the barrel and boom Chas and Dave-inspired ensemble numbers that it truly finds any “Oom Pah Pah.”
Whilst it’s not entirely “magnifique”, Only Fools and Horses: The Musical is a laugh-out-loud piece of theatre which pays reverent homage to the original sitcom, finding something new amongst the old without becoming hokey.
Performing at the Theatre Royal in Glasgow until November 2, 2024. It then performs at the Edinburgh Playhouse (Nov 5-9) before continuing its tour. For further details, go to the production website.
Photos by Johan Persson.
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