The arrival of Only Fools and Horses The Musical has been eagerly anticipated by North Staffordshire audiences for some time. The only concern for those theatre-goers is whether the production could possibly hit the heights of the long-running hit television sitcom and transfer successfully to the stage or would it be a big let-down.
Don’t be a plonker and resist buying a ticket because of that fear. With a long smash run in the West End behind it, this is definitely the crème de la menthe with everything kushti.
The action revolves around a difficult time in Del Boy’s life. Derek (Sam Lupton) is coming to the realisation that he is about to be left behind in life. Rodney (a fabulous professional debut by Tom Major) is about to get married to Cassandra (Nicola Munns); Grandad (Philip Childs) is not going to be around for ever; Boycie (Craig Berry) and Marlene (Munns) are attending the fertility clinic to finally produce a family; and even Trigger (Kieran Andrew) has managed to get a date.
This prompts Del to go to a dating agency from where he is put in touch with Raquel (Georgina Hagen) and the first date seems to go very well. But will the embroidering of their life stories end everything when the truth comes out. And will Derek’s poorly thought-out decision to ease Rodney’s financial problems lead to a showdown with local hoodlums the Driscolls (Peter Watts and Darryl Paul)? With support from Denzil (Bradley John) and from the lovely people of Peckham you can hope for the best.
The audience is treated to a delicious re-run of some of the show’s greatest hits with some of the most comical scenes from the 64 televised episodes squeezed into the show. Each is greeted with huge approval from the onlookers as the side-splitting capers are revealed and often greeted with huge anticipatory applause.
It is a real credit to the actors that after a few minutes they all morph into those much-loved characters from the sitcom but in a more intimate way. There is a beautiful contrast between the comedy and the darker and more poignant sections of the plot and the onlooker is much closer to the emotions in an auditorium than in front of a tv screen.
There are also some delightful musical numbers. There is a full-throttle rendition of the theme tune, heartfelt solos (The Girl and What Have I Let Myself In For) from Raquel and Cassandra respectively, the knees up of Where Have All The Cockneys Gone from Grandad, the comical Tadpole Song from Boycie and Marlene and the intricacy of Bit Of A Sort by Del and the Dating Agent (Richard J Hunt). Add in a heart-tugging version of Holding Back The Years from Mrs Obooko (Gloria Acquaah-Harrison) and you have a score that has variety and which gives the cast members the opportunity to display their vocal talents.
This production truly brings a West End experience to the Regent Theatre and this is not confined to the cast themselves but some marvellous work from the Creative Team. Director and Choreographer Caroline Jay Ranger has assembled a talented crew around her with Alice Power designing a set and Liz Ascroft being responsible for the costumes that bring so much of the televised series to the stage. Stuart Morley has done an amazing job as Music Arranger and there is a superb live band under the direction of Rachel Murphy. One final piece of advice is to be aware of the animations and video designed by Leo Flint that add so much to the entertainment.
If you are a lover of the original Only Fools and Horses – or just of finely crafted and acted musical comedy theatre – this has to be on the list of must-see musicals. Like all great comedies it has moments of darkness and poignancy to contrast with the laughter. Above all though it is what everyone wants from a night out at the theatre. In two words it is great fun. Don’t be a dipstick all your life. Get your tickets now.
The show continues until Saturday 7th December and has a running time of approximately 2 hours 25 minutes including interval. For ticket information contact atgtickets.com/stoke
