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Only Fools And Horses The Musical At Alhambra Theatre, Bradford Review

DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW

Reviewed by Sarah

As the days darken fast and the cold creeps nothing beats brightening up your evening with one of laughter fun and Only Fools and Horses the hit musical fits the bill 100%

I was a little concerned about bringing to the stage the essence of a well loved and highly entertaining and totally familiar classic British sitcom and making it into a musical would translate as it is no small feat. That is unless that is you’re comedy big shot Paul Whitehouse who has succeeded in making this work alongside Jim Sullivan the son of the original Only Fools and Horses Original Creator John Sullivan.

The scene is set as we head back to the mid 1987 in Peckham where we find Del Boy our lead and lovable rogue looking for love while his long suffering younger brother Rodney is planning his wedding. during the 2.5 hour show (there is an interval) We meet Del Boy and Rodney their various friends along the way there is Grandad and his tales of woe. Boycie and Marlene and their quest for a baby. Add a bit of Raquel and Cassandra not forgetting Trigger who never fails to raise a laugh Denzil and Micky Pearce.

I genuinely wasn’t sure how it would work when we are all so used to seeing the original cast on the TV series for decades and decades however I need not have worried one bit as it made no difference at all the cast deserve all the credit they can get they played their parts to perfection and the wardrobe too was just brilliant

The cast it appears have studied for their roles to the point of obsession. I genuinely think the stars who parts famous would endorse them. From main character to background cast they definitely appeared to love every second on the stage and the audience lapped it all up too as the Alhambra rumbled with sounds of laughter and applause

Songs some new and a few familiar surprises. Far too many to single out however so well written and sung they managed to tell the tail in the emotional and quintessential way the TV series did ..

Highly funny, Whitehouse and Sullivan’s script weaves in seamlessly with the rethreading of scenes from the TV series we know so well.

From catchphrases and greetings to recognisable laughs it’s all in there. With a revolving stage and a computer generated back drop the set alters from location to location seamlessly. From the Flat to the Nags Head to Sid Cafe to the Hospital to the Market and it wouldn’t be Only Fool and Horses without Del Boys mustard Robin Reliant now would it…

A wonderful homage to a classic series.
Go ahead and take a trip down memory lane it’s a great show you’ll love be a die hard fan of the series to a casual watcher you are in for a treat ..

Rating: 4/5

https://www.bradford-theatres.co.uk/whats-on/only-fools-and-horses-the-musical

Alhambra Theatre, Bradford
Monday 7 – Saturday 12 October 2024
Eves 7.30pm, Wed Mat 2pm & Sat Mat 2.30pm Tickets £50.25 – £22.25
Signed performance: Thu 10 Oct, 7.30pm Captioned performance: Fri 11 Oct, 7.30pm Audio Described performance: Sat 12 Oct, 2.30pm
Call the Box Office on 01274 432000 or visit bradford-theatres.co.uk

Recognition for the cast who played their parts for perfectly
Del Boy- Sam Lipton
Rodney- Tom Major (in his theatre debut)
Grandad- Philip Childs
Raquel- Georgia Hagens
Marlene/Cassandra- Nicola Munn’s
Boycie- Craig Berry
Trigger- Lee VG
Micky Pearce/Danny Driscoll- Peter Watts
Dating Agents/theatre announcer/various- Richard J Hunt
Barman Mike/Tony Driscoll/Cripps- Darryl Paul
Mrs Obooko/wedding fitter Gloria Acquaah-Harrison

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