I’m delighted to be back at the Grand Theatre for the first time in 2025 and tonight’s offering was a musical adaptation of the much loved TV series ‘Only Fools and Horses’.
I say much loved, but I’m going to be totally honest and admit that I don’t think I’ve ever watched an entire episode. It wasn’t that I never found it funny; it was a show that was originally on before my time and one which my parents never watched, so it has seemed to just pass me by. However, I’m always up for something new and so I entered the theatre open minded, ready for some good old fashioned British humour. And this was most definitely what I received.
The original TV series by Jim Sullivan was created in 1981, starring British acting royalty David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst, running for over a decade with 16 Christmas specials right up until 2003.
Set in working-class Peckham in south-east London, it revolves around ambitious and wily market trader Derek ‘Del- Boy’ Trotter and his innocently charming younger brother Rodney. The episodes focus on their farcical, never-ending, get-rich-quick schemes.
The musical has been created by both Jim Sullivan and Paul Whitehouse, famous for his roles in Harry
Enfield & Chums. Whitehouse also takes on the comic roles of both grandad and Uncle Albert. 64 episodes are compressed into a 2 hour show in which we see Rodney and Cassandra plan their wedding and Del Boy hits a dating agency.
I love it when I see a show that I wasn’t overly enthusiastic about and end up thoroughly enjoying myself. The performance was fast-paced and filled with comedy. Sam Lupton took on the immense challenge of
recreating David Jason’s Del-Boy with absolute charm and panache. From the minute he came on stage, there was electricity, helped by an incredibly slick and witty script which I know the series is famous for. He captured the character of Del-Boy brilliantly, doing justice to the original interpretation.
The ensemble as a whole was strong. I particularly enjoyed Christopher Arkeston, who played a wide variety of roles, including the dating agent, doctor, barista and waiter, pulling off about 5 different accents. Paul Whitehouse was a firm audience favourite, many of his lines clearly being taken from the original series as they gained laughs and cheers that went over my head a little.
There were some brilliant songs in the show, which was an unexpected surprise for a musical adaptation. The theme tune is a clear motif, forming the opening and finale numbers, whilst also appearing in various guises throughout, much to the audience’s delight. The opening especially set an uplifting and nostalgic mood. Particularly favourites of mine were the dating song ‘Bit Of A Sort’, where Del-Boy and the dating agent sang about what he was looking for in a partner. Although it sounded like a song from a Disney film I also loved the ‘Being A Villian’ song for its comedy and variety of mood, as two gangsters sang about their opposing feelings about their job. The songs that paid homage to traditional London life and
followed the style of the theme tune, such as ‘Margate’, which sounded like an old music hall tune, were especially fun and well-directed.
One or two of the songs felt, to me, overly emotional and were less successful, with melodies that were unremarkable and lyrics that were corny. When the play was doing its usual top-notch comedy it was outstanding and I felt that any diversion from this wasn’t necessary.. I was also expecting a few more escapades where Del-Boy tried to make some money through ridiculous schemes, but actually this wasn’t really explored, which I found a bit disappointing. I guess this was what had been sacrificed in order to cram a decade of TV shows into a two hour show.
I really had a fun evening, and this is from someone who has never seen a full episode of the show before. If you loved the original series then this is an absolute must see and the theatre was packed with
avid fans who clearly loved the entire thing. From the few bits of the series I have watched, this production brilliantly captures the era and the comedy found within it. Even if, like me, you’ve never seen the production, it’s still a brilliant night of entertainment.
I’d book your tickets fast, though, because they won’t be around for long once word gets out. Personally, I’m now off to watch the first season and I’m rather looking forward to it.
Book tickets online at leedsheritagetheatres.com or call the Box Office on 0113 243 0808.
Photography by Johan Persson. Taken from the 2024 UK Tour.
