The year is 1989 and the yuppie invasion of London is in full swing, but in Peckham life goes on as normal. Love is in the air as Del Boy sets out to find his soulmate while Rodney and his fiancée Cassandra are preparing to say ‘I do.’ This new adaptation of the much-loved TV programme recently played at the Alhambra theatre in Bradford and is now on a UK tour..
Horses for courses
The idea of transferring a successful TV show to the stage is not a new one. When it works well the result is a pleasing one, as this adaptation shows. All the regular characters are present: Del Boy (Sam Lupton), his younger brother Rodney (Tom Major), Grandad (Philip Childs), Raquel (Georgina Hagan), Boycie (Craig Berry) and his long-suffering wife Marlene (Nicola Munns, who also plays the role of Rodney’s fiancée Cassandra).
After a slow start where each character is introduced, you begin to wonder what has happened to the plot, but thankfully the show moves up a gear when it leaves The Nag’s Head. Del Boy decides that he needs to find a partner, and joins a dating agency – Techno Makers – where he meets Raquel. Casting himself as a theatre and movie agent to impress Raquel may not be the best idea – but Raquel herself is not exactly telling the truth about her profession. Without spoiling the story too much, all I can say that all is revealed – literally – later in the production.
The script and score written by Paul Whitehouse and Jim Sullivan, son of original show creator John Sullivan, is witty, ingenious and engaging, giving the audience the chance to get reacquainted with Britain’s most lovable rogues. It’s set against a backdrop of well-known songs and features an array of brand new ones too. Bill Withers’ Lovely Day and Simply Red’s Holding Back the Years are both sympathetically incorporated into the comedy.
A strong cast
The mannerisms and likeness of the main characters from the television series are near perfect, from the hideous laugh of Boycie to the wide-eyed charm of Del Boy. Even the latter’s famous bar propping scene, where he misses the bar and falls on his side, is replicated with ease. Sam Lupton triumphs in the iconic role of Del Boy, played by David Jason in the original TV series – no easy feat.
As Rodney, Tom Major settles into the role as the often-chastised younger brother with a touch of innocence. This is Major’s first major role, but he convinces as his character develops.
Impressively, Nicola Munns’ dual role as Marlene and Cassandra provides an unexpected transformation. Special mention should also go to Richard J Hunt, who plays the pompous dating agent, the theatre announcer and a waiter, making you wonder where he will pop up next. It’s a hilarious feelgood family celebration of traditional working class London life in the late eighties.
With a late appearance by Uncle Albert, played by Phillip Childs, all seems complete.
Fool’s gold
Underneath the comical story there are themes of loneliness, family issues and believing that better times are to come, set against a backdrop of getting older, recalling the past and taking stock of life. Grandad finally decides that the time has come to get his piles sorted!
The show is a real treat for Trotter fans – the one liners flow one after another. “We are doing well compared to an Iranian pork pie merchant”, comments Del Boy.
The show has aged well and despite my prior misgivings about seeing this production, I laughed from beginning to end – hopefully you will too. It’s totally lovely jubbly!
Only Fools and Horses is now on tour with dates in locations up and down the country.
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