After previews started earlier this month, press night has now taken place for the production at Theatre Royal Haymarket. Paul Whitehouse is on board as Grandad, with Tom Bennett as Del Boy and Ryan Hutton as Rodney. But does the show live up to the huge legacy of the TV classic? The reviews are in.
The Guardian gave three stars in their critique, praising the humour but criticising the songs.
“The finest collection of vintage gags on the London stage should allow the show to make a fair amount of what Del Boy calls ‘lovely jubbly’,” they said.
“But, as a musical, a few too many of the songs are, to borrow again from the Trotter lingo, plonkers.”
The Telegraph also gave three – again praising the show’s comedy elements.
They called the show “endearing but theatrically under-achieved”, summarising that it has “ a script dripping with gags but a show that feels like a bodged job”.
The Evening Standard was more positive, giving four stars out of five.
“In an era of international musicals, this unashamedly British night out is a change and a treat,” they said.
Industry paper The Stage gave a three-star verdict, saying the production is “flimsy but enjoyable”.
The Independent gave the same score. They said: “I’m not saying that I crave a hip-hop version of To The Manor Born or Father Ted Goes Grunge.
“But a bit more artistic adventure than is evinced in this spin-off of Only Fools would be nice.
“The show is entertaining; it’s not a disgrace; I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. But “lovely jubbly”? Really? Don’t be a plonker.”
Only Fools And Horses: The Musical is on at London’s Theatre Royal Haymarket until August 2019.