THE outcome of a legal case brought by the television production company responsible for the BBC classic Only Fools and Horses has forced the cancellation of a tribute show due to be staged at Barnard Castle’s arts centre next month.
However, the good news for those planning to see Phoney Fools and Horses on September 23, is that a Fawlty Towers tribute show has been lined up in its place.
Officials at That’s Entertainment Productions, the company behind Phoney Fools and Horses say they were “devastated” at having to shelve the show.
The move was prompted by a legal case brought earlier in the year by Shazam, the television production company founded by Only Fools’ late writer John Sullivan and centred on who owns the copyright to the characters from a fictional work, and whether it is possible to in effect produce new Only Fools And Horses material without permission from the author of the original scripts.
The judgement found in favour of the production company, but the decision is going to appeal.
A spokesman for That’s Entertainment Productions said: “Following a recent court judgement against worldwide Only Fools and Horses tribute shows, we are devastated that we are prevented from bringing our popular show.
“Whilst this judgment awaits appeal, we are thrilled that we can offer our alternative and well-loved production of Phoney Towers.”
Phoney Fools and Horses ticket holders have been informed of the situation and offered tickets to Phoney Towers
“As a tribute to Fawlty Towers, this will feature the same talented cast in a whole range of hilarious characters,” added the spokesman.
Based around the classic 1970s TV show, Phoney Towers is a tribute show performed in the style and variety of Fawlty Towers.
Producers promise “all your favourite characters in new adventures and mishaps, and some unexpected surprise guests.”
The That’s Entertainment Productions spokesman added: “Our show is inspired by the classic BBC comedy Fawlty Towers.
“Please note, that the content of our show is entirely original, and no use is made of the scripts or other materials from the TV programmes.
“We are not linked to or authorised in any way by the BBC or others involved in the TV programmes” .
Details of Phoney Towers, which is suitable for ages 12-plus, are available at www.thewitham.org.uk.
![A COUNTY councillor is backing a campaign to get a pedestrian crossing in Staindrop. Frustrated parish councillors in the village summoned their county council representative Cllr George Richardson to their latest meeting to discuss several issues, including the call for a safe way to cross the A688. Earlier this year their request for a crossing was turned down by the county council’s highways officers. Parish council chairman Jonothan Raper described the reasons for the refusal as “spurious” and called on Cllr Richardson to support their campaign. He added: “One of the arguments they made was there is no clear line of desire when they studied the village – well this isn’t a clear line of desire because there isn’t a crossing, people cross whenever they can. “When the lollipop person was there, one of the things I noticed was people would walk all the way down to the lollipop person to cross the road to go to the shop or to go to the school.” He added a problem of parking at the primary school is exacerbated because people are too afraid to walk their children across the road. Cllr Richardson said he had supported previous attempts for a crossing point with the first being made about 15 years ago. He added: “We went fairly well down the road with that and they looked into it. The only recommended place was where the bus stop is and to get the visibility splays, people on the other side of the road would lose their parking. “That didn’t go down well so it just died a death.” Cllr Raper said he suspected the real reason for the officers’ refusal was the cost of installing a crossing. He added that much of the cost could be recovered from savings made on not having to employ a lollipop patrol. Cllr Raper said: “A lollipop person only provides a benefit of crossing for three hours of the day. You are getting 21 extra hours of crossing time [with a pedestrian crossing].” Cllr Richardson said he would raise the issue with the county council’s cabinet member for highways, Cllr John Shuttleworth.](https://teesdalemercury.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/georgeR-120x86.jpg)
