Review: Only Fools and Horses the Musical, Newcastle Theatre Royal
Alison Carr reports back from Hooky Street as the tuneful stage show based on John Sullivan's beloved BBC sitcom arrives on Tyneside
Turning popular TV shows and films into stage musicals isn’t anything new. It’s been done (to varying degrees of success) to The Great British Bake Off, Bad Girls, Back to the Future, Mean Girls, and many more.
And it seems to be particularly prevalent right now. Whatever your thoughts on that, it makes sense. Theatre ticket prices are ever steeper while our purses are ever tighter, so the familiar might be more appealing that taking a ‘risk’ on something brand new.
Which brings us to Only Fools and Horses: The Musical pulling up in its yellow three-wheeler at the Theatre Royal this week.
The original sitcom which started in 1981 and ran for 64 episodes has cemented its place in TV history and British popular culture as a classic.
This stage adaptation is by Jim Sullivan (son of the original writer John Sullivan) and comedian Paul Whitehouse (who is starring in some of the tour stops as Grandad, but not here).
We find the Trotter brothers at very different places in their lives. Rodney is making wedding plans with Cassandra while Del, feeling the lack of a woman in his life, joins the Technomatch dating agency where he meets Raquel. But really the story doesn’t matter, it’s just the string to hang off all the jokes, set pieces and songs.
It’s funny from right out the gate, with the laughs coming thick and fast. This is a show that knows what its audience wants, and serves it up to them with glee.
County Durham-born Sam Lupton magnificently recreates wheeler-dealer Cockney chancer Del Boy. He is strongly supported by Tom Major as Del’s “plonker” brother Rodney and Philip Childs as Grandad.
All of the cast do a great job in channelling the essences of TV character counterparts, with special mention to Craig Berry for nailing that trademark Boycie laugh.
Alice Power’s set also helps with the feelgood nostalgia, recreating the garish Trotter flat, as well as other locations including the Nag’s Head pub (complete with bar hatch – wink wink).
But what of the songs, I hear you ask. It is a musical.
Hooky Street is of course included, the sitcom’s theme tune by John Sullivan. There’s some Chas and Dave, and Bill Withers, along with original songs by Sullivan and Whitehouse. Particular highlights there are Mange Tout and Not Now Grandad, and all of the musical numbers are performed well by the talented cast.
Only Fools And Horses the Musical is a lovingly crafted tribute to a great programme. Funny, joyous, and poignant in parts, it’s … you knew it was coming … a lovely jubbly night out!
The production is at the Theatre Royal until February 22. Tickets available from the website or the box office on 0191 232 7010.