“Only Fools and Horses” at Nottingham Concert Hall on Tuesday night was an absolute belter—one of those rare nights where you’re grinning from ear to ear.
The cast nailed it. Seriously, Del swaggered onto the stage and you could almost smell the Peckham market stalls. Rodney was gormless in all the right ways, and Grandad had everyone in stitches just by sitting there and piping up at the perfect moment. It was like being dropped into your favourite pub with the old gang, pints and dodgy deals included.
The jokes came thick and fast—some daft, some sharp, but all bang on. You could tell everyone on stage was having a laugh, which just made the whole thing more infectious. The audience joined in with the catchphrases, roared at the classic moments, and gave a proper East End cheer when the chandelier gag came around.
But “Only Fools and Horses” is more than just a string of laughs. This franchise has always been a mirror for working-class Britain, especially in the face of changing times and shifting politics. Set against Thatcher-era economics and a rapidly changing London, the original show wasn’t afraid to poke fun at the “yuppie” dream and the scrappy hustle of trying to get by. Watching it live, you realise how the story of Del and Rodney—two triers refusing to give up—still resonates in a country where the odds often feel stacked. It’s comfort, rebellion, and a bit of hope, all rolled into one.
It wasn’t all about the laughs, either. There were moments that got you right in the feels—reminders that these characters are more than just punchlines. By the end, you half expected to bump into Uncle Albert at the bar.
In short, whether you’re a die-hard fan or just fancy a good night out, this show delivers. To borrow a phrase from the main man himself—lovely jubbly.
