A great day out at Beaulieu

A great day out at Beaulieu

Review: Tom Gates Live on Stage!

Review: Tom Gates Live on Stage!

October 8

Only Fools And Horses is back – and this time it’s musical!

Only Fools And Horses is back – and this time it’s musical… and comedy legend Paul Whitehouse will be playing Grandad!

John Sullivan’s iconic and record-breaking television series has been turned into a brand-new, home-grown West End musical spectacular. With a script and original score by John’s son, Jim Sullivan and comedy giant Paul Whitehouse, prepare to get reacquainted with Britain’s most loveable rogues and experience the classic comedy brought to life once again through 20 ingenious and hilarious songs.

Paul Whitehouse will star alongside with Tom Bennett as Del Boy and Ryan Hutton as Rodney in this unique showstopper, featuring cherished material from the TV series.

Paul said: “This was the last project that John Sullivan was working on when he died – he was just starting to develop Only Fools as a musical – so when writing it, Jim and I have remained very faithful to the feel and scripts of the TV series, but also highlight some contemporary issues.

“We’re very conscious of the Only Fools legacy and that it’s so fondly remembered by people of almost all ages, so we’ve tried to incorporate everyone’s favourite moments from the TV shows and of course, all the great characters – but this time it’s with songs.”

The show takes a trip back to 1989, where it’s all kicking off in Peckham. While the yuppie invasion of London is in full swing, love is in the air as Del Boy sets out on the rocky road to find his soul mate, Rodney and Cassandra prepare to say ‘I do’, and even Trigger is gearing up for a date (with a person!). Meanwhile, Boycie and Marlene give parenthood one final shot and Grandad takes stock of his life and decides the time has finally arrived to get his piles sorted.

With musical contributions from Chas n Dave, the beloved theme tunes as you’ve never heard them before and an array of comic songs full of character and cockney charm, you’re guaranteed to have a right knees-up! Only Fools and Horses The Musical is a feel-good family celebration of traditional working-class London life and the aspirations we all share.

Directed by Caroline Jay Ranger, Only Fools and Horses The Musical will also feature many of the hugely loveable characters from the TV series: Raquel, Denzil, Mickey Pearce, Mike the Barman and the dreaded Driscoll Brothers.

Only Fools and Horses The Musical will be a truly cushty night out. Only a 42-carat PLONKER would miss it!

The show opens at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in February. Previews from 9 February 2019. Press Night 19 February 2019

Tickets are on sale from today. To book go to onlyfoolsmusical.com – you know it makes sense!

 

August 2

Sir David Jason heads to the USA for new series

David Jason: My Life On Screen – David Jason

Sir David Jason is heading off on a trip along the west coast of America by road, rail and air exploring both the rich heritage of iconic American transport and glimpsing the high-tech future on offer for a new TV series.

Train buff, one-time mechanic and pilot Sir David Jason will embark on an epic month-long journey in this special travel documentary series. It will take him north to south, from Seattle to Los Angeles, travelling on the iconic Amtrak Coast Starlight train.

It’s the biggest and best train he’s ever been on, hugging the majestic west coast of the USA in all its 28-stop, 1,300-mile glory; truly the realisation of his lifelong ambition.

David said: “All my life I’ve been obsessed with planes, trains and automobiles. And, of course, I’m well known for my association with the odd motor (including a certain three-wheeler). The west coast of America has seen – and is still witnessing – some of the greatest innovations in transport history – I can’t wait to find out for myself how they do things over there. It’s going to be fun, it’s going to be entertaining, and I get the feeling I’m going to learn a great deal about this part of the world on my journey too.”

This all-American travel experience captures numerous pit stops and excursions along the way as David disembarks for a series of encounters discovering the unique, pioneering history of the West Coast. A huge fan of all things mechanical, David also time travels between experiencing astonishing feats of engineering of the past to cutting edge technology of the near-future – everything from riding 100-year-old cable cars and Harley Davidson motorbikes, to flying on a legendary DC3 vintage airliner, driving the latest American Super Truck and investigating the prospect of sub-orbital space flight.

Executive Producer Mike Blair said: “This is a route that not only takes in some of the must-do ‘bucket list’ all-American travel experiences, but also reveals just how this part of the world has led the way in innovation. Everything there is bigger, better, faster… we’re so looking forward to going with David on this journey of a lifetime.”

David Jason: Planes, Trains & Automobiles will air on Gold in 2019.

Photo: UKTV
November 11

WARNING: Beware “fake” poppies being sold on eBay

Internet giant eBay is making money from fake poppy badges sold by unscrupulous sellers on the auction site.

People are being misled into thinking that charities like The Royal British Legion are benefiting when they buy the metal badges and brooches.

But the imitation badges have nothing to do with charity – and proceeds go into the pockets of sellers with eBay taking a cut of the sale.

If a trader is selling brooches featuring the Legion’s trademarked two-petal poppy without an agreement in place, then the Legion can take a number of different actions, ranging from reporting the trader to their local Trading Standards Officer or sending the trader a formal cease or desist letter.

The Legion has a number of registered trademarks, including the Legion’s iconic two-petal poppy. Anyone using the Legion’s trademarked poppy on their products without the Legion’s consent is acting unlawfully, and the Legion will take action to stop this infringing behaviour.

Alternatively, if a trader states that a donation will be made to the Legion for the sale of any their products can only do so if they have entered into a formal agreement with the Legion.

A breach of the Legion’s trademarks can range from traders unlawfully selling any product featuring the Legion’s trademarked two-petal poppy, or any trader dishonestly stating that a donation will be made to the Legion from the sale of any of their products.

Ebay traders are getting around these rules by selling very similar badges – some bearing the words Lest We Forget – which are clearly aimed to hoodwink purchasers.

A spokesman for The Royal British Legion said: “The Royal British Legion offers a number of poppy accessories which raise much-needed funds for our charitable work. By donating for a poppy through our official channels or corporate partners, the public can rest assured that their money will go towards supporting our Armed Forces community.

“Poppies are widely available across England, Wales, Northern Ireland from Legion approved Poppy Appeal volunteer collectors who will be wearing official ID, or online through the Legion’s website.

“Poppy accessories offer another way to wear the poppy which also help to raise funds to continue our work. These are available via our corporate partners and Poppy Shop.”

Ebay says it works closely with The Royal British Legion and takes down any listings that are reported to it by them.

A spokesperson added: “Every year we work with the Royal British Legion, hosting an area of their official poppy products on our site. We remove items at their request.”

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