I’d often wondered if a musical version of what is undeniably Britain’s best-loved sitcom could possibly live up to the iconic television series with its unforgettable characters... and after last night’s fabulous performance at Milton Keynes Theatre, the honest answer is a resounding yes, writes Alan Wooding.

      From the moment ‘Stick A Pony In Your Pocket, Fetch The Suitcase From The Van’ strikes up, you’re immediately back in John Sullivan’s 1989 Peckham with the Trotter family and the cast of Only Fools and Horses, which first aired on British television back in September 1981.

      Written as a stage musical by Sullivan’s son Jim and legendary comedian Paul Whitehouse, the show includes many of the familiar storylines and locations around Peckham during the ‘Yuppy’ era.

      Obviously we visit Nelson Mandela House, The Nags Head, Sid's Cafe and Peckham Market while we also get to meet all those well-known characters whose likeness to the original cast members is remarkable.

      While Sam Lupton had the night off, it was  understudy Andrew Bryant who took on the iconic role of Del Boy made famous by Sir David Jason and he simply steals the show with a truly luvely jubbly performance. 

     With every flawless word and mannerism, he really was brilliant while the chemistry between him and stage newcomer Tom Major – who plays his dipstick younger brother Rodney (or ‘Dave’ according to Trigger!) – was comedy magic.

     Major’s portrayal of Rodney, whose awkward movements, voice, physique and antics, are so perfect that he could easily have been mistaken for a young Nicholas Lyndhurst.

      Philip Childs takes on the comedic roles of both Grandad and Uncle Albert to perfection – the former still troubled with his hemorrhoids! – while like Childs, the brilliant Georgina Hagan reprises her role as Del’s future missus Raquel, both actors, like most of the cast, having been in the original West End production. 

     I can’t say too much regarding the overall storyline other than to say it will be rather 

Review: Only Fools and Horses – The Musical 

familiar to anyone who watched the tv series.

      I certainly loved Nicola Munns’ two great portrayals of both Rodney’s intended Cassandra and of Boycie’s long-suffering wife Marlene whom she played to perfection.

      Craig Berry is also a perfect diamond geezer as Boycie and he even sounds like the late John Challis as he and Marlene give parenthood one last shot at the Fertility Clinic.

      Naturally all the other Only Fools characters make an appearance with Lee VG as the lovable Trigger (who even has a date!), Bradley John is Denzil while Darryl Paul and Peter Watts play those infamous local gangsters, little Tony and big Danny Driscoll.

      Meanwhile completing the cast is an assortment of characters – including Cockney wide boy Mickey Pearce and Mike, the Nags Head barman – Rhys Owen, Richard J Hunt, Gloria Acquaah-Harrison, Kieran Andrew, Katie Paine, Amanda Coutts, Christopher Arkeston and Oscar Dobbins.

      I really loved the musical numbers and clever lyrics mostly written by Paul Whitehouse and the late Chas Hodges of Chas & Dave fame. Even the show’s theme tune takes on a different twist while the Jolly Boys outing quip just has to end with Down To Margate!

      For me the other highlight numbers are Being A Villain performed by the Driscolls plus Where Have All the Cockneys Gone? featured Grandad. Raquel’s I Am That Girl and Del’s Bon Jour were other standouts plus Simply Reds’ Holding Back the Years sung by Gloria Acquaah-Harrison as Mrs Oboolo and Trigger's Ball.

      Only Fools and Horses The Musical really is a celebration of the best of British television comedy brought to the stage and it plays Milton Keynes Theatre until Saturday 29 March, so don’t be a plonker and book your tickets at ATGTICKETS.COM/MiltonKeynes

Left: Richard J Hunt, Peter Watts, Sam Lupton and Georgina Hagen.