Peckham Still Pukka After All These Years - Cushty!

At its height Only Fools and Horses attracted 20 million viewers an episode and, when Del Boy cooly leant back against the bar, missed the top and fell straight through it, he became a British tv sensation overnight!

But turning John Sullivan’s iconic sitcom into a musical takes a huge leap of faith and a strong comedy pedigree: step up Paul Whitehouse – he of the Fast Show - and the main man’s son, Jim Sullivan.

Together they penned last night’s offering at Bradford’s Alhambra, ‘Direct from the West End’, and what a great job they have done: Sullivan senior would be applauding from the grave.

Despite pre show reservations – even my +1 confessed to not having put the show - Only Fools and Horses The Musical - on his list of ‘must sees’ (how could you ever emulate the tv show?) – we both left the theatre, despite our initial misgivings, laughing and applauding every inch of this beautifully crafted ‘play with music’ that was quirky, faithful to the original show and, quite simply, just funny and full of banter with catchy lyrics and killer one liners.

Chas and Dave cockney charm collided with the Jam's Going Underground to produce the ultimate cheeky chappy ‘London’ musical, that left everyone laughing in the aisles rather than their armchairs. It was beautifully directed by Caroline Jay Ranger.

The bloke next to me had to muffle his laughter for fear of disturbing the audience, when Boycie and Marlene (Nicola Munns) went to the fertility clinic!

But leading the charge was the wonderful Sam Lupton as that David Jason favourite, Del Boy in probably one of the most evenly balanced casts I have seen for many a year.

They were all there: Del Boy, Rodney, Grandad, Trigger, Boycie and all those other Only Fools and Horses characters that have been the talking point in every British pub since 1981 when the series first aired.

“We are doing well compared to an Iranian pork pie merchant,” commented Del Boy and, thereafter, the one-liners flew thick and fast with lots of fresh material that genuinely had you laughing.

Interestingly, many of the actors were from pure theatre backgrounds, rather than ‘musical theatre’, evident not only from the programme, but also their tight, seamless and well-paced dialogue, essential for split second comedy.

Tom Major as Rodney, nailed the part in his professional debut, Philip Childs as Grandad was on the nose and Trigger (Lee Vg) and Craig Berry as Boycie were all, well, just cushty!

With Del Boy’s inappropriate ‘Franglais’ sprinkled throughout, this was an evening of nostalgic charm and, whilst this show will date as Only Fools and Horses diehards gradually shed their mortal coil, in the same way as Steptoe and Son has, despite its iconic status, right now this show is on the money: hilarious and well worth a few quid of your hard-earned cash my son.

An absolute tonic! Bonjour mon cheri and quelle fromage…..if you get my meaning?

Only Fools And Horses
Alhambra Theatre, Bradford
Until Saturday 12th October
Evening & Matinee Performances
Box Office: 01274 432000