Only Fools and Horses The Musical UK and Ireland Tour Review

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Only Fools and Horses fans are kept waiting for Del Boy, but when he finally appears to end the opening title song, there's an almighty cheer. It's like the return of a well-loved, old friend, all be it in furry sheepskin coat and flat cap.

The set is impressive and cocoons fans in Del Boy and Rodney's world as soon as they enter the auditorium. Peckham's tower blocks loom overhead and later, there's the iconic Nag's Head pub and Trotter family flat.

It feels like you've stumbled into an Only Fools and Horses theme park and all the gang's there - Grandad, Uncle Albert, Boycie, Marlene, Trigger, Denzil, Mickey, Raquel and Cassandra. The nostalgia speaks loud and clear, and it's got a cockney accent.



Only Fools and Horses The Musical is over midway through a lengthy 10-month UK tour when I caught it at Birmingham Hippodrome , but it's still selling tickets like wildfire. It stays in Birmingham until April 12 before continuing on to cities including Liverpool, Sheffield and Dublin.

It feels and sounds authentic because it's been written in the same vein as the 1980s show by co-creators comedian Paul Whitehouse, pictured above, and Jim Sullivan, the son of the original writer John Sullivan.

The pair have created a clever script combining many memorable scenes from during the comedy show's 10-year stint between 1981 and 1991. It mainly revolves around when Del Boy first met Raquel and Rodney's wedding to Cassandra, but there's also Boysie and Marlene's struggles to have a baby.

Where it differs is the music. There's 20 songs in all, mostly with an '80s or Chas and Dave feel. The show starts and ends on safe ground with the catchy, well-loved TV theme tune that you'll find hard to resist joining in(until the sing-along finale).



Early-on, there's easily forgettable numbers, but it warms up into catchy fun original pieces along with covers like Simply Red's Holding Back The Years and Bill Withers' Lovely Day.

West End director Caroline Jay Ranger keeps the action flowing, and while the songs fit well, they never get in the way of the comedy. After all, Only Fools and Horses was and always will be essentially about the laughs - and they come thick and fast.

A national treasure in his own right, co-writer Whitehouse also stars as Grandad and Uncle Albert. He unwittingly verges now and then into Fast Show type characters. It's hilarious, and he has the crowd eating out of his hand. I couldn't stop smiling. It's worth noting that Whitehouse was in Birmingham but isn't playing at some venues on the tour, the full list is below.

Yet stealing the limelight is Sam Lupton, pictured below, as an incredible Del Boy. He looks and sounds like the character David Jason created, getting the mannerisms down to a tee. He's the lynchpin of the whole show.



Adding even more smiles along the way are Del Boy's constant misuse of French, now famous phrases from 'you plonker' to 'this time next year we'll be millionaires' and the conversation about Trigger's broom. Nothing is missing, not even the three-wheeled Robin Reliant Supervan, which gets a cheer almost as loud as Del Boy's.

You can even feel the crowd willing Del Boy to recreate his fall at the bar and while there's teasers early on, it's near the end that it finally happens and it doesn't disappoint.

Amid a strong cast, actress Gloria Acquaah-Harrison pictured below deserves a mention. Although she plays minor characters, her magnificent voice is put to good use for several songs.



A young Tom Major impressed too, sounding just like Rodney. It's hard to believe this is his first professional role. While Nicola Munns has her work cut out for her, swapping wigs to play the contrasting roles of both Marlene and Cassandra, although Cassandra does seem a lot older than Rodney.

It's no wonder this show has proved a winner with fans and become a record breaker in the West End, as it's a slick, well-pitched affair.

Only Fools and Horses The Musical will leave you brimming from ear to ear with joy. It's a nostalgic, feel-good treat to relive all those cherished comedy moments. In the words of Del, it's 'lovely jubbly'.

RATING: 4 out of 5 stars



Only Fools and Horses Musical UK Tour Dates
See the Only Fools and Horses The Musical website here for ticket details for all venues.

31 March - 12 April 2025
Birmingham - Birmingham Hippodrome
Tickets from £25 at Birmingham Hippodrome website here

14 - 19 April 2025
Canterbury (Not featuring Paul Whitehouse) - The Marlowe

21 - 26 April 2025
Nottingham (Not featuring Paul Whitehouse) - Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall

28 April - 3 May 2025
Blackpool - Winter Gardens

5 - 10 May 2025
Truro (Not featuring Paul Whitehouse) - Hall For Cornwall

12 - 17 May 2025
Cardiff - Wales Millenium Centre

19 - 24 May 2025
Plymouth (Not featuring Paul Whitehouse) - Theatre Royal

26 - 31 May 2025
Sheffield - Sheffield City Hall

2 - 7 June 2025
Northampton (Not featuring Paul Whitehouse) - Royal & Derngate

9 - 21 June 2025
Liverpool - Liverpool Empire

23 - 28 June 2025
Belfast - Grand Opera House

30 June - 5 July 2025
Dublin - Bord Gais Energy Theatre

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