STORY
Only Fools and Horses, The Musical
Theatre
Theatre Royal Haymarket
Duration
150 minutes
Age Restrictions
6+ years
Britain’s best-loved sitcom isn’t an obvious contender for a stage musical. Sure, there was that wheezing, raggedy stadium sing-a-long of a theme tune (na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na-na), but the knockabout lives of the Trotter family, pedalling their wares around Peckham, doesn’t immediately scream out for an 11 o’clock number.
No bother. Adapted by comedian Paul Whitehouse, of Fast Show fame, and Jim Sullivan, son of the television’s show’s legendary originator John Sullivan, Only Fools and Horses: the Musical has proved a crowd-pleaser in the heart of the West End.
It might be little more than a chance to re-acquaint oneself with three of the most classic characters in sitcom history and a string of fan favourites lovingly reprised, by as Del Boy and Rodney always suspected, the only thing that matters is that it shifts sales. This time next year, they might all be millionaires. Within a month of opening, the show announced an extension. Cushty.
Read MoreIt’s still set in 1980s Peckham and the Trotter brothers are still on the make. Del Boy’s got another hare-brained money-making scheme and he’s dragging Rodney along for the ride and, with Whitehouse himself recreating the role of Grandad (originally played to gruff, discombobulated perfection by Lennard Pearce), the musical wrings the best out of the bunch. Around them, the whole larger-than-life gang translate well to the stage: the doltish Trigger, the dodgy Mickey Pearce and the snobbishly, gauche Boycie and Marlene.
Tucked into this proper knees-up of a knock-off, there are hints of old music hall traditions – vaudevillians sending gags out with a ba-doom-tish, a lick of slapstick, not to mention a rousing round of the old cockney standard ‘Any Old Irons.’ Muiscally, however, it’s John Sullivan’s own sitcom standard – once voted the greatest ever theme tune on television – that steals the show. Not once, but twice over. Luvvly jubbly.
CREATIVE
Cast and Creative
Cast
Paul Whitehouse – Grandad
Tom Bennett – Del Boy
Ryan Hutton – Rodney
Dianne Pilkington – Raquel
Pippa Duffy – Cassandra
Jeff Nicholson – Boycie
Samantha Seager – Marlene
Peter Baker – Trigger
Adrian Irvine – Denzil
Chris Kiely – Micky Pearce
Adam Venus – Tony Driscoll
Andy Mace – Mike the barman
Creative
Paul Whitehouse – Writer
Jim Sullivan – Writer
Caroline Jay Ranger – Director
Liz Ascroft – Set Design
Stuart Morley – Musical Supervisor
Richard Jones – Lighting Design
Denise Ranger – Associate Director
Rory Madden – Sound Design
David Gridrod – Casting Director
FAQ
Which theatre and where?
Only Fools and Horses the musical is showing at the 893 seat Theatre Royal Haymarket which is located at 18 Suffolk Street, London SW1Y 4HT.
How does it work?
Choose your seats via our live booking platform, once payment is completed you will receive an email confirmation with your booking reference number. Collect your tickets from the Theatre Royal Haymarket box office on the day of the show, a minimum of 30 minutes before the performance start time, print and bring along the ticket confirmation email. Tickets must be collected by the purchasing customer with a valid photo ID. Please have your booking reference number at hand when collecting your tickets.
Any Questions?
If you have any questions about your ticket purchase you can contact our customer services team on 020 3670 8887
Good to know
Strobe lighting is used several times during the performance.
Suitable for children?
Only Fools and Horses the Musical is recommended for ages 6 and above. Children under the age of 3 will not be admitted.
Cancellation policy
No exchanges or refunds available after purchase.
Can I video record or take photos?
The use of camera and sound recording equipment is strictly prohibited.