EXCLUSIVE : Interview with John Sullivan
On the new prequel: Rock n Chips
Well John thanks for allowing me to come down today to Pinwood Studios to see some of the filming of the new show Rock ‘n’ Chips. It all looks very exciting with some great casting. I particularly like the idea of Phil Daniels playing Grandad. It seems such a natural choice.
Well that was down to Gareth Gwenlan actually. it’s funny because Phil was concerned about getting Grandad’s voice to match Lennards’, but then he realised he has 25 years worth of smoking to catch up on to match that lovely gavel voice.
It would be nice to hear a little bit of background as to how it all came together.
The background to Derek Trotter, his family, who he was and where he came from was in my head as early as 1979. Over the years I’ve always had the storyline you’ll be seeing in this show kind of bubbling away underneath everything that has happened to the Trotters since 1981. It brings together some of the revelations mentioned in the last episode of Only Fools, ‘Sleepless in Peckham’. Rock ‘n’ Chips is set before Rodney was born and before the Trotters move in to Nelson Mandela House. Remember as this is set in the 1960’s so it wouldn’t have been called Nelson Mandela House back then.
Oh, I’ve just noticed what you mean, that set over there in the back corner looks very familiar?
Yes that’s the brand new Trotter Flat. You’ll see them move in to it during the show.
Some of the locations shots were filmed in Greenwich, Isn’t that where the Krays was filmed? That area does look very post war London.
Yes the location people did very well finding these places to film especially the prefabs, they are original with people still living in them. In fact they are hoping that the exposure we give them will help in their plight to stay in their homes. Of course the Trotters are not living in Greenwich they are living on the Deptford/Peckham border.
Any little clues as to the plot?
The show centres on the relationship between Del’s mum Joan (Kellie Bright) Reg, (Shaun Dingwall) and of course Freddie Robdal (Nick Lyndhurst). The Trotters are living in a two up two down in Orchard Street which incidentally is similar in name to a street I was born on. Joan of course is working several jobs to make ends meet, Reg is a painter and decorator floating from one job to the next, this is before Ted’s (Grandad) serving hatch period so he is unemployed. Freddie has just been released from prison when he bursts into Joanies life.
Wow is Del Boy or Reg aware of this in the show?No not at all. And this of course is born out over the last 28 years of Only Fools and Horses.
I noticed it seems quite a serious show?
Yes it’s not a sitcom at all, it’s more of a comedy drama.
Having watched Nick playing Freddie I can’t imagine him sitting on a detonator, he seems very shrewd.
Ha, that’s if he knows it’s there of course but yes Freddie is very shrewd, you’ll have to wait to see how that develops.
So without giving too much more of the story away, do you think this could extend to a series? Or do we see the demise of Freddie at the end of the show?
Well again this set before the gold bullion storyline. So Freddie will not be dying at the end. At the moment all it’s going to be is a 90 minute show. After the broadcast we will wait to see what direction it will take, if any.
The possibilities are endless. Can you imagine all the lads going on a jolly boys outing?
Funny you should say that, as they do go on a Jolly Boys to Margate in this show. But of course Margate is totally different now to how it would have been in the 1960’s, especially as the fairground has now burnt down so there was not a lot we could do there. But you will see them all on the charabanc en route.
Can we expect to see any familiar names that we’ve grown used to?
Yes there’s Albi Littlewood, Aunt Reen, Jumbo Mills, Jelly Kelly etc etc
Uncle Albert?
No, this is set during the period when Albert and Ted didn’t speak. Albert is probably away at sea anyway.
Anyone we know running the Nags Head?
Yes Bobby Bragg actually, Bobby has been the Only Fools and Horses audience warm up man for almost 30 years, we were very pleased to give him the part.
How do you keep all the history of the Trotters, the family tree and storylines running? Is it all In your head or on the computer?
I’ve notes written all over the place, some going back to the 1970’s, and a lot of it is in my head.
What part of production do you enjoy the most? The filming, the casting, the writing?
The editing for me is the most fun part. I sit down with Director Dewi Humphries (who did The Green Green Grass), Gareth Gwenlan and Chris Wadsworth, I really enjoy that part. It should all be finished December 19th.
So in time for Christmas?
No I think it’ll be too soon for that, also not too sure if it’s a Christmas day kind of show, we’ll put it to the BBC and see what they come up with.
What do you plan to do about the theme tune? Will you continue your tradition of writing/singing you own?
No they’ll be no theme tune for this, just lots of very relevant music, Reg Trotter is a big Adam Faith fan, so I think that’ll give you a feel as to what I mean.
Echoes of ‘Someone Else’s Baby’?
Exactly.
That was all I managed to get as John had to run off for one emergency or another. But for me it was a strange and emotional experience to watch what was of the Trotters before we all got to know them, seeing the smog filled South London streets and Freddie Robdal appearing out of the smoke was very atmospheric. I over heard Nick saying something like ‘same props, different show’ when looking at the Trotter kitchen sideboard. It was strange too chatting to Phil Daniels who’ll be playing my kind of anti hero Grandad. It was a shame that on the day I was there the actors playing Del Boy, Denzel, Trigger and Boyce were not filming. So I don’t really know much about them apart from what I have already seen in the newspapers. I did manage to pinch a couple of copy script segments that were lying around but obviously can’t mention anything I’ve read in those. But it’s fantastic reading Del Boy, in his pre French days, and his friends, including Jumbo Mills, interacting with each other and its interesting to notice how Del Boy is very protective of his mum even as a teenager. The characters are very, very consistent with the ones we already know, it seems a very natural step (back), almost like walking back in time, the emotions were that strong for me whilst walking around the sets while everyone was on a lunch break. I can actually say I’ve been in the Trotter Flat before Del Boy has, as they hadn’t filmed that part then. It really is going to be an awesome show, pure Sullivan in fact and no way it could ever be ‘Someone Else’s Baby!’
Note ‘Someone Else’s Baby’ was the song Reg was singing in Thicker than Water again an example of the consistency running through the show.
I have seen 3 of them, the ist one, 5 gold rings, and fred and the pussycat ( I think it was) but where were the prefads? and on youtube I have seen the jolly boys outing with Freddy robdall anbd del the younger, but has it been shown on TV yet. I love the show.
RIP John Sullivan! and thank you
I don’t think that the prequel fitted very well. Compared with the main series I thought it had too much of a chill wind going through it and was far too gritty.
I’m not saying it was a bad show though. If it was a pilot for something else I’d say it was top notch but it didn’t sit right to me to go with Fools And Horses proper.
Excellent show really enjoyed it. Where were the prefab scenes shot? I used to live in Catford, where they filmed there?
Yes loved some of the references hopefully John will continue with the Freddie the frogs Robbery, the sad demise Albie Littlewood, the burial of Alfred Broderic (that would be hilarious), and hopefully a young uncle albert as a ladies man.
Hopefully the BBC will support this also will be ever meet Monkey Harris, Sunglasses Ron and Paddy the Greek!
Let hope so
R&C was sensational in it’s own right and a true compliment to Only Fools!!
Congratulations Mr. Sullivan!!!!!!
what can i say , top class lets have some more of this
what a show fantastic fantastic i hope you do a series looking forward to the next
Another Jolly Boys outing reference
I just can’t wait for this!