There’s a special, rather personal feeling in the air as we take our seats in the Bristol Hippodrome to watch Only Fools and Horses: The Musical. The city of Bristol is very protective of this beloved franchise, and its characters, mainly because many of the TV series’ most iconic scenes and landmarks were filmed right here.
A sense of comfort washes over many of us in the audience as the stage lights shine on a market of sorts, the iconic Nelson Mandela House and Nags Head pub on the backdrop, and the opening theme music from the TV show begins. The first thing I notice is how I instantly, without any need for introduction, know exactly who is playing which character, and we’re only mere moments into the first lines of the John Sullivan theme.
The casting for this production is better than any I have encountered before. So spot on are the main characters in particular, that for many in the crowd it truly felt as though we could had stepped back in time and were watching the very early days of David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst.
The actions, movements and dialogue of each character were spot on, too. Sam Lupton’s portrayal of Del Boy, such a cherished and beloved character in the history of British sitcoms and television as a whole, completely and utterly stole the show. He was absolutely incredible, and one of these stars is solely for him.
Tom Major as Rodney was uncanny from the moment he stepped on stage. His physique, awkward movements, and voice, were all so true to Del Boy’s little brother, and the chemistry the two Trotter brothers had on stage was perfect. It’s hard to believe this is Tom Major’s professional debut, and what a role to start with.
And then you have Paul Whitehouse. What a treat it was to be able to see this legendary actor, performer and writer live on stage in such a way, and in a production he co-wrote with Jim Sullivan, no less.
His portrayals of both Grandad and Uncle Albert were sensational – so true to the late great acting talents of Lennard Pearce and Buster Merryfield. He paid them both an incredible tribute, and had fans in the audience in the palm of his hand for the entire production.
Other standout cast members that simply cannot be overlooked include Peter Watts who played the role of Boycie – flawless and again a phenomenal tribute to original Boycie actor John Challis. Bradley John’s Denzil was also brilliant, as too was Lee VG’s Trigger. And the crowd showed a lot of love for the several roles Richard J Hunt played unforgettably.
From the casting to the impeccable and superbly considered costume design, the staging and, of course, the writing itself, the production was a (as Rodney would say) ‘T’riffic’ homage to the world of Only Fools and Horses. It was filled with edge-of-your-seat comedy, quick-paced dialogue and the Del-isms we all know and love from the show, as well as an abundance of ‘Easter Eggs’ that die-hard fans will truly appreciate.
It really is a love letter to the TV giant that graced our screens for more than two decades. A homage to such a beloved institution, and doesn’t shy away from deeper, darker moments that we know Only Fools could do all too well.
However, while some of the musical numbers in the show were delightfully entertaining, many of them were unnecessary and broke the flow of scenes in a rather jarring way. I would have replaced some of these musical moments with simply more dialogue and scenes featuring more of the incredible cast. At times, it felt like some of the songs were placeholders that just hadn’t been replaced.
All in all, if you are simply a musical theatre fan this may not be the show for you. But if you are a fan of Only Fools and Horses and are looking for a production you can lose yourself in as easily as the episodes themselves, this is a must-see, and you won’t regret it.
Only Fools & Horses: The Musical is playing at the Bristol Hippodrome until Saturday, February 8 – tickets are selling fast. You can book yours here.