A former Soham Village College student and member of the town’s theatre group with an “incredible sense of humour” will play Rodney Trotter in the upcoming musical production of ‘Only Fools and Horses’.

Ely Standard: Ryan Hutton (centre) plays Rodney Trotter in the new musical production of Only Fools and Horses. 1Ryan Hutton (centre) plays Rodney Trotter in the new musical production of Only Fools and Horses. 1 (Image: Archant)

After giving up his passion for football to focus on theatre, Ryan Hutton joined Viva Soham as a teenager and starred in several productions with the group. He later studied at Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts based in London

Viva Soham’s theatre producer, Joshua Schumann, said: “Ryan performed in a number of shows with Viva including Godspell and I Love You, Your Perfect, Now Change, which were performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

“Ryan was a wonderful member of Viva and his incredible sense of humour and his comic timing will remain in many of our memories and I am sure it will stand him in good stead for this new role.

“With a passion for sport, particularly football, Ryan had to make a difficult choice between spending his time on stage or on the pitch as the two worlds collided and time did not allow for both.

“I am so pleased he chose the stage as it was apparent from early on that his vocal talents and acting skills were exceptional.

“We wish Ryan all the very best with this project and we are understandably proud that another one of our members has excelled at the highest level in the professional world of theatre.”

Ryan will take centre stage alongside Tom Bennett (Del Boy) and Paul Whitehouse (Granddad). The musical also features more than 20 original songs and a live band will perform throughout.

Featuring cherished material from the TV series, the laughs, dodgy dealings and unforgettable moments to boot, join the trio as they take the audience on a trip back to 1989.

“Get reacquainted with Britain’s most loveable rogues and experience the classic comedy brought to life once again through an ingenious and hilarious original score; an idea so inexplicably pukka it surely proves the old adage that he who dares wins,” say promoters.

The musical, which is written by Paul Whitehouse and Jim Sullivan, and features musical contributions from Chas n Dave, opens at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in London on February 9.