Fings Ain’t What They Used T’Be opens on 20 May at Theatre Royal Stratford East. Picture: Roy Tan
Coinciding with Joan Littlewood’s centenary, Fings Ain’t Wot They Used T’Be has its official opening at Theatre Royal Stratford East this coming week in new version by Olivier-nominated Elliot Davis. The show is directed by the multi award-winning Terry Johnson, and Jessie Wallace and Gary Kemp lead the cast.
Fings Ain’t Wot They Used T’Be was initially discovered by Joan Littlewood, who began directing the show as a play, before engaging the legendary writer and composer Lionel Bart to write songs for the show. Known for his seminal work on Oliver! (written three years after Fings), Bart grew up in London’s East End and was renowned for his use of cockney wit and charm within his songs.
Now, with support from both the Lionel Bart Foundation and Samuel French Publishers, composer and writer Davis has adapted the original Frank Norman script with new material and songs from the popular and commercial Bart songbook, including ‘If I Say I Love You Do You Mind?’, the hit number Bart penned for Anthony Newley, ‘Living Doll’ and ‘Sparrers Can’t Sing’, a song he wrote for the 1963 Joan Littlewood directed film of the same name.
The show, developed in 1959 by Littlewood and her Theatre Workshop Company at Theatre Royal Stratford East, then transferred to the West End’s Garrick Theatre where it ran for 886 performances and won an Evening Standard Award for Best Musical. The show launched the career of Barbara Windsor and provided the name for the popular hit song by Max Bygraves.
Set at the end of the 1950s, preceding the birth of rock‘n’roll and the Beatles, Fings Ain’t Wot They Used T’Be is set within an East End underworld of gamblers, spivs, prostitutes and Teddy boys. Written by ex-con Norman, the show tells the tale of Fred, a loveable rogue, who comes out of prison to find he is not quite the king of the manor he once was.
When asked to describe Fings, Littlewood, described it as “Guys and Dolls but with its flies undone”. Davis adds: “Our production hopes to make Fings find its rightful place in the catalogue of great British musicals. Ultimately the goal is to take this production on a national UK tour for the benefit of audiences across the whole of the UK!”
BAFTA nominated Jessie Wallace (EastEnders) plays Lil and Gary Kemp (Spandau Ballet, The Krays, The Bodyguard) is PC Collins, with Sarah Middleton as Rosie, Ruth Alfie Adams as Brenda, Will Barton as Percy and Suzie Chard as Betty. In his first stage role since Jersey Boys, Ryan Molloy portrays Horace. Also in the cast are Mark Arden, Stefan Booth, Christopher Ryan, Vivian Carter, Stevie Hutchinson, John Olohan, Gary Watson and Joanna Woodward.
Set and costume design are by William Dudley and choreography is by Nathan M Wright. The production will run until 8 June (press night is 20 May) prior to a UK tour.
Fings Ain’t Wot They Used T’Be is produced with Elliot Davis, Paul Tyrer and Jamie Clark for The Booking Office, and Ros Povey Productions.
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