Nothing compares with a theatre full of supportive fans who love what is going on up there on the stage. So, it was with Only Fools and Horses and the West End cast performing in Edinburgh.
The jokes are wonderfully familiar, the characterisation excellent and the musical interludes perfectly pitched. This show is an out and out winner for Del Trotter fans and Rodney’s fellow aspiring art students.
Co-written by Jim Sullivan (the original writer, John Sullivan’s son) and the prolific, Paul Whitehouse, this show hits the target again and again. It is played for fans of the lon-running television sit-com which hit our screens in 1981 and, if my dad was still alive, he’d have loved it!
The set works fluidly and looks ideal, thanks to Alice Power’s design. The ensemble dancing and singing is flawless, and the musicians hit every note from their hiding place. Gloria Acquaah-Harrison has an amazing voice, and several actors play multiple characters, demonstrating true diversity and skill.
Nicola Munns as Cassandra/Marlene hits the spotlight in a hospital scene, singing gloriously with a wonderfully recreated Boycie by Craig Berry. The laugh is iconic.
Peter Watts’ ability to skip from a deep-throated villain, Danny Driscoll, to the soprano-voiced Mikey Pearce is to be admired. His thuggish timbre ploughed the depths and is the more satisfying rendition of the two.
Every actor has their characters down to a T. Lee VG as Trigger (Alright Dave) makes Roger Lloyd Pack proud. Paul Whitehouse as Grandad and Uncle Albert is a complete treat. Tom Major, who just finished training, nails it as Rodney. And Sam Lupton is magic in the role of Del Boy, working splendidly with Georgina Hagen as Raquel. Bradley John, Darryl Paul and Richard J Hunt complete the line up in a hugely uplifting show.
It was my dad’s favourite sitcom. He watched it daily as he gradually and inevitably shuffled towards heaven’s door. For me it was a sentimental and a very funny journey. “That went off well,” were the last words my father uttered. The same goes for this show.
Reviewer: Kathleen Mansfield
Reviewed: 5th November 2024
North West End UK Rating:
Rating: 5 out of 5.
