One of the UK’s best-loved sitcoms of all time has been turned into a smash-hit musical stage show, and it’s heading out on a nationwide tour next year.
There’s absolutely no denying how iconic Only Fools and Horses is.
First hitting our screens back in 1981, and running for seven series – as well as countless Christmas specials – up until 2003, the BBC sitcom starring David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst about two black market traders, the Trotter brothers, who buy and sell anything and everything with a dream of becoming extremely rich someday, has a special place in the heart of many Brits.
Not only was the show beloved by viewers, it was also critically-acclaimed and scooped several TV awards in its time, including BAFTAs, National Television Awards, and more, and was also voted Britain’s Best Sitcom in a 2004 BBC poll.
But would you have ever imagined the show could be turned into a musical stage show? Well it has – and it’s become an absolute record-breaking smash hit on the West End.
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🍻ONLY FOOLS & HORSES THE MUSICAL🍻
The Trotters are on the road after a record-breaking 4 year run in London’s West End! Don’t miss the UK’s funniest show at the Opera House! Book now and join us in the Nag’s Head!
Following a four-year run down in London, Only Fools and Horses The Musical has announced that Del Boy, Rodney, Grandad, Cassandra, Raquel, Boycie, Marlene, Trigger, Denzil, Mickey Pearce, Mike the Barman, the Driscoll Brothers, and all the rest of the gang are hitting the road in 2024 and 2025 for a major tour of the UK and Dublin.
And, of course, they’ll be paying a visit to us here in Manchester around this time next year.
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The acclaimed home-grown musical – which has played over 1,000 performances at London’s Theatre Royal Haymarket – is everything you know and love about John Sullivan’s legendary TV show… but on stage.
An Only Fools and Horses musical is coming to Manchester next year / Credit: Only Fools and Horses The Musical
Directed by the originating West End director Caroline Jay Ranger, and with a script and original score written by John’s son, Jim Sullivan, alongside comedy giant Paul Whitehouse, Manchester audiences are being told to prepare for the classic comedy to be brought to life on stage.
There’s said to be an “ingenious script” and 20 hilarious songs in the show.
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With musical contributions from actual Chas & Dave, the beloved theme tune as you’ve never heard it before, and an array of brand-new songs that are said to be “full of character and cockney charm”, the show is described as being “a feel-good family celebration of traditional working class London life” and a “right ol’ knees-up”.
The smash-hit stage show is going on a UK tour after a record-breaking West End run / Credit: Supplied
The tour kicks off in Bromley in September 2024, and then travels to over 30 towns and cities up and down the country – including Manchester – all before culminating in Dublin at the end of June 2025.
Casting for the show is set to be announced in early 2024.
Only Fools and Horses The Musical will take to the stage at Manchester Opera House from Monday 11 – Saturday 23 November 2024, and tickets are now on sale starting from as little as £13.
Featured Image – Only Fools and Horses The Musical
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Loyle Carner announces special headline show at The Warehouse Project 2024
Danny Jones
The Warehouse Project lineup just keeps getting better as Loyle Carner has just been announced as the latest addition to the 2024 calendar.
One of the biggest hip-hop artists in Britain, Loyle Carner is heading back to Manchester just a few months on from smashing his outdoor gig at Castlefield Bowl to play an even more iconic local venue.
Set to land at Depot Mayfield this autumn, the show has been specially curated by the London-born rapper himself, featuring some of his favourite up-and-coming artists and putting on a much later performance than you’d be treated to at one of his usual tour shows.
Loyle until late followed by more music, DJ sets and partying until the early hours. Need we say more?
The 29-year-old won’t be taking to the stage until around 11pm and, in many ways, most of the fun is still yet to come longer after he exits the stage.
As you can see, the poetic musician is set to be joined by Brighton-based and thisisnq-managed duo, Frankie Stew and Harvey Gunn, but that is just the tip of the iceberg.
The Concourse stage will also hosted by Deviation with Benji B & Judah, Children of Zeus, and a number of other special guests – you’ll just have to wait and find out who they are like the rest of us.
But perhaps the biggest artist crashing the lineup is the legendary Yasiin Bey: real name Dante Terrell Smith, a.k.a. the iconic Brooklyn rapper, actor and hip-hop icon formerly known as Mos Def.
Yes, this night will see the old school collide with the genre’s next generation for an unforgettable night over in Mayfield and you do not want to miss it.
We also just can’t wait to see the Manc crowds giving off this energy again:
Pre-sale for Loyle Carner at WHP goes live on Thursday, 5 September from 10am, with general admission available from the same time on the following Friday, 6 September.
Sign up for early access online and you can be ready to grab your tickets for what we’re sure will be another magical night of live music Manchester show HERE.
And if you want to know what we made of his last visit to 0161, you can read all about it below.
Featured Images — Sirus Gahan/Jody Hartley (supplied)
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Three legendary Manchester venues to be ‘resurrected’ for special Halloween club night at Victoria Baths
Emily Sergeant
Three of Manchester’s most legendary old nightclubs are to “resurrected” for one night only this Halloween.
Returning for a “fright night of thrills” after a sell-out debut in 2023, this is your chance to travel back to a time when South, Jilly’s Rockworld, and The Tiger Lounge were still standing, as the three iconic venues will unite for The Silence of the Baths: Back from the Dead.
Manchester icon Clint Boon will be joined by Mikee Diablo and Max Oblivion for the one-off event at Victoria Baths in October.
The stunning Grade II-listed building is set to “show its darker side”, as the pool halls, Turkish Baths, and labyrinth of spaces undergo an epic Halloween makeover – with 100 spine-tingling skeletons, nine-foot high unearthly ghosts, a cauldron of 1,500 bats, and 500 watchful eyes.
Three legendary Manchester venues are to be ‘resurrected’ for a special Halloween club night at Victoria Baths / Credit: Chris Payne (via Supplied)
In case you’re unfamiliar with the three venues, Jilly’s Rockworld was institution with a reputation that went way beyond the city before it closed in 2010, while The Tiger Lounge was described as more of a movement than a club night, and the nights at South were often deemed “unforgettable”… and now, they’re back for more.
The trio of DJs will “manifest the spirit of Manchester’s past club scene” in a silent disco from the balcony above the Sports Hall on the night, each with their own channel.
While you relive your youth and dance the night away, a selection of “terrifying elixirs” will be bubbling on the Victoria Baths’ bar to choose from, including beers, spirits, and creepy cocktails, and for those with the ‘monster munchies’, there’ll also be plenty of tuck-shop style snacks to tuck into.
Fancy dress is encouraged, and there’ll be ‘spooky swag bag prizes’ for those who impress.
Tickets are now on sale for the special one-off spooky event / Credit: Chris Payne (via Supplied)
The Silence of the Baths: Back from the Dead will take over Victoria Baths on Saturday 26 October, with doors creaking open from 7pm, and tickets are now on sale here and setting you back £16 each (plus a booking fee).
The event sold out last year, so early ticket purchase is recommended.
All ticket purchases for Halloween events support the work of Victoria Baths Trust to preserve Victoria Baths, so that communities can continue to enjoy this inspiring building.
Emily Sergeant -
30th October 2023 
