Iconic Musicals: GREASE and Only Fools and Horses The Musical Head to the UK and Ireland in 2024

Musical enthusiasts and fans of iconic productions, get ready for a spectacular treat in 2024 as two timeless classics, GREASE and Only Fools and Horses The Musical, are set to captivate audiences in the UK and Ireland. Directed by Nikolai Foster and choreographed by Arlene Phillips, GREASE will take you on a nostalgic journey filled with unforgettable songs and memorable characters. Meanwhile, Only Fools and Horses The Musical, which enjoyed a record-breaking run in London’s West End, brings the beloved Trotters back to life with the help of a script by John Sullivan’s son, Jim Sullivan, and comedy legend Paul Whitehouse. This article explores the history, highlights, and tour dates for both of these remarkable musicals.

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The Timeless Appeal of GREASE

GREASE originally graced the stage in 1971, opening in Chicago before making its way to Broadway in 1972. It quickly became a sensation, earning seven Tony Award nominations, including one for Best Musical. The production ran for eight years, providing a platform for emerging talents such as Peter Gallagher, Patrick Swayze, and John Travolta. Notably, Richard Gere understudied various roles before ultimately taking on the role of Danny Zuko in the 1973 London premiere.

After its initial success, GREASE returned to the West End, debuting at the Dominion Theatre in 1993 before moving to the Cambridge Theatre in 1996. It made yet another triumphant return in 2007, this time at the Piccadilly Theatre. These multiple comebacks speak to the enduring popularity of the musical and its ability to capture the hearts of audiences across generations.

The 1978 film adaptation, starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, further solidified GREASE’s place in musical history. The film is the fourth highest-grossing live-action musical of all time, featuring beloved songs like “Summer Nights,” “Greased Lightnin’,” “Hopelessly Devoted To You,” and “You’re The One That I Want.”

The GREASE UK and Ireland Tour Dates

Here are the eagerly anticipated tour dates for GREASE in 2024:

12 – 20 April: Bromley Churchill Theatre
23 April – 4 May: Dublin Bord Gais Energy Theatre
7 – 11 May: Hull New Theatre
13 – 18 May: Royal & Derngate Northampton
21 – 25 May: Ipswich Regent Theatre
27 May – 1 June: Liverpool Empire Theatre
3 – 8 June: Norwich Theatre Royal
10 – 15 June: Newcastle Theatre Royal
17 – 22 June: Glasgow Kings Theatre
25 – 29 June: Edinburgh Playhouse
2 – 6 July: Aberdeen His Majesty’s Theatre
15 – 20 July: Birmingham Alexandra
23 – 27 July: Truro Hall for Cornwall
29 July – 3 August: Bradford Alhambra Theatre
5 – 10 August: Milton Keynes Theatre
12 – 17 August: Eastbourne Congress
19 – 24 August: Blackpool Opera House
27 – 31 August: Royal Concert Hall Nottingham
2 – 7 September: Cardiff Wales Millennium Centre
16 – 21 September: Bristol Hippodrome
24 – 28 September: Oxford New Theatre
30 September – 5 October: Dartford Orchard Theatre
8 – 12 October: Manchester Palace Theatre
21 – 26 October: High Wycombe Swan Theatre
29 October – 2 November: Southampton’s Mayflower Theatre
5 – 9 November: Southend Cliffs Pavilion
11 – 16 November: Sheffield Lyceum

Star casting for GREASE will be announced soon, adding to the anticipation for this incredible tour.

Only Fools and Horses The Musical: A Beloved Classic

Moving from the iconic GREASE to another beloved classic, Only Fools and Horses The Musical brings the legendary Trotter family back to life in a hilarious and heartwarming production. This critically acclaimed musical was an absolute sensation during its four-year run in London’s West End, playing over 1,000 performances at the prestigious Theatre Royal Haymarket.

This home-grown musical spectacle is based on John Sullivan’s record-breaking television show. The script and original score for the musical were penned by John’s son, Jim Sullivan, and the celebrated comedian Paul Whitehouse. It’s an ingenious combination of cherished material from the beloved TV series and 20 hilarious songs that truly capture the essence of the classic comedy.

Directed by the originating West End director, Caroline Jay Ranger, this tour promises to take audiences on a journey filled with laughter, nostalgia, and unforgettable characters. It’s a chance to revisit Britain’s most lovable rogues and experience their classic comedy brought to life on stage.

Only Fools and Horses The Musical is a show that has garnered praise from fans and critics alike. The Sun awarded it five stars, describing it as “One Del of a show!” The Daily Mirror labeled it “a treat for Trotter fans” in their glowing five-star review. The Sunday Times acknowledged it as “a blast from our wide-boy past” and an adaptation of the 1980s BBC television comedy, giving it four stars. The Evening Standard lauded it as “an unashamedly British night out” and “a jubilant lovely jubbly!” The Daily Mail encouraged its readers to “raise a glass of ‘Tittinger’ to Del Boy and Rodney as Only Fools and Horses storms the West End!”

The Only Fools and Horses The Musical UK and Ireland Tour Dates

Here are the much-anticipated tour dates for Only Fools and Horses The Musical in 2024:

23rd – 28th September: Bromley Churchill Theatre
30th September – 5th October: Southend Cliffs Pavilion
7th – 12th October: Bradford Alhambra Theatre
14th – 19th October: York Grand Opera House
21st – 26th October: Wolverhampton Grand Theatre
28th October – 2nd November: Glasgow Theatre Royal
4th – 9th November: Edinburgh Playhouse
11th – 16th November: Manchester Opera House
18th – 23rd November: Manchester Opera House
25th – 30th November: Sunderland Empire Theatre
2nd – 7th December: Stoke Regent Theatre
11th – 14th December: Brighton Dome
17th – 23rd December: Hammersmith Eventim Apollo
27th – 29th December: Hammersmith Eventim Apollo
30th December – 5th January: Hammersmith Eventim Apollo
7th – 11th January: Ipswich Regent Theatre
13th – 18th January: Norwich Theatre Royal
20th – 25th January: Llandudno Venue Cymru
27th January – 1st February: Bristol Hippodrome
3rd – 8th February: Bristol Hippodrome
10th – 15th February: Newcastle Theatre Royal
17th – 22nd February: Newcastle Theatre Royal
24th February – 1st March: Northampton Derngate Theatre
3rd – 8th March: Southampton Mayflower Theatre
10th – 15th March: Oxford New Theatre
17th – 22nd March: Milton Keynes Theatre
24th – 29th March: Milton Keynes Theatre
31st March – 5th April: Birmingham Hippodrome
7th – 12th April: Birmingham Hippodrome
14th – 19th April: Canterbury Marlowe Theatre
21st – 26th April: Nottingham Concert Hall
28th April – 3rd May: Blackpool Grand Opera House
5th – 10th May: Truro Hall for Cornwall (On Sale Soon)
12th – 17th May: Cardiff Wales Millennium Centre
19th – 24th May: Plymouth Theatre Royal
26th – 31st May: Sheffield City Hall
2nd – 7th June: Leeds Grand Theatre
9th – 14th June: Liverpool Empire
16th – 21st June: Liverpool Empire
23rd – 28th June: Belfast Opera House
30th June – 5th July: Dublin Bord Gais Energy Theatre

Casting for Only Fools and Horses The Musical will be announced in early 2024, building excitement for this epic tour.

In conclusion, 2024 promises to be a remarkable year for musical theater enthusiasts in the UK and Ireland, with GREASE and Only Fools and Horses The Musical taking center stage. Both productions, steeped in history and adored by generations, offer a chance to relive classic moments and create new memories. Don’t miss out on these iconic shows as they embark on their tour, bringing joy, laughter, and unforgettable melodies to audiences across the region.