The Stage

Fings Ain’t Wot They Used T’Be

Published Monday 16 May 2011 at 10:05 by Mark Shenton

The Union is fast becoming the National Theatre of fringe musicals, offering a home to interesting revivals and the occasional new work. Established performers are now joining the bright young talent that is emerging from here, too. Now Lionel Bart’s 1959 musical Fings Ain’t Wot They Used T’Be - originally premiered at Stratford East just ahead of the triumph of Oliver! a year later - proves to be another fascinating rediscovery.

A scene from Fings Ain't Wot They Used T'be at the Union Theatre, London Photo: Scott Rylander

You could say musicals ain’t wot they used t’be, either - we’ve come a long way in the half century since this show premiered. But this cheerfully chaotic, scrappy show about scrapes and japes in the Soho underworld has spit, spivs and spirit. Phil Willmott’s production, and especially Nick Winston’s sparky, vibrant choreography, harnesses its energy perfectly.

As always at this address, resourcefulness replaces resources, and a teeming cast of 20 give the show wit and a bit of grit. Hannah-Jane Fox, in a role that originally made a star of Barbara Windsor, is pretty and poignant as a tart with a heart, with Neil McCaul bringing a scarred ruggedness to her small-time gangster boyfriend whom she yearns to be made an honest woman with. She might, of course, fail to ever make him an honest man - there are shades of Miss Adelaide and Nathan Detroit from Guys and Dolls in this relationship.

With buoyant musical direction from Barney Ashworth on piano, with AJ Brinkman on double bass and the cast providing more musical support, there’s plenty to relish and ravish the eye and ear.