I went to see Only Fools and Horses at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre - and it really was lovely jubbly

I can’t think of a way I could have had a better start to a wet October week than being catapulted into the world of the Trotters. I will be totally honest, as a massive fan of the show for many decades, I was a bit apprehensive about the treatment it would get as a stage show. All fears were quickly blown away as soon as the lights went down at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre and the audience were engulfed into a familiar Cockney landscape full of the characters, jokes, and settings they have loved for so long.

Read next: I went to see Aladdin at Birmingham Hippodrome and I was moved to tears Read next: I saw An Officer and a Gentleman at the Grand Theatre but something was missing From the market streets, to the Nag’s Head, to that familiar flat full of dodgy decor and a 80s cocktail bar - it’s exactly what you expect to see and the set-design is cushty. And then there are the actors, or should I say doppelgangers, because there are moments in this musical where you have to do a double take. Del Boy for me could only be played by David Jason, yet the magic here is that Sam Lupton pays homage to the original actor’s legacy with a nailed-on performance that masters his mannerisms and comic timing.



It’s really impressive, and surprising. Phillip Childs is perfect as Grandad, often capturing some of the best one-liners and some of the best laughs. And speaking of laughs, Craig Berry’s famous nasal Boycie laugh, is just perfect.

This is the theme throughout the evening. Marlene is a scarily accurate Marlene, Cassandra looks and acts like Cassandra, and Trigger is as funny as Trigger ever was. Far from being a shameless cash in on the original brand, this is very much an extension of the show, rather than just aping every famous storyline, it opts to give clever nods to the best known plotlines and scenarios.

It includes plenty of the show’s famous one-liners, and the famous bar scene is saved until late in the show, but executed wonderfully and brings the house down. The thing that really impressed me with the performance, was the writing, it cleverly weaves its own storyline around the plethora of references and tributes. At times there is a feeling that it is a greatest hits show, but that’s not a bad thing? That’s what we are here for after all.

But it is re-imagined enough and with comedy legend Paul Whitehouse and the original writer John Sullivan’s son, Jim, at the helm, it is no surprise that the show is brimming with one-liners, warmth, and superb comic timing. I also really enjoyed the songs, particularly the hilarious musical skit ‘Bit of a Sort’ with Del Boy and the dating agent, a great scene. The live screen above the main stage is used to great effect in many scenes, particularly in the brilliant Boycie number at the fertility clinic.

A special mention goes to Tom Major making his professional stage debut,and doing so brilliantly as the hapless Rodney. The musical is at the Grand Theatre until Saturday in what looks like a sell-out run, if you aren’t catching it here, try and watch it wherever you can, it’s a brilliant couple of hours of music and laughter. C’est Magnifique!.