Theatre News

WWRY‘s Fox Stars in Fings Ain’t Revival at Union

Hannah Jane Fox, who created the role of Scaramouche in Queen musical We Will Rock You, returns to the stage to star in a major new revival of Lionel Bart and Frank Norman’s classic East End play with music Fings Ain’t Wot They Used T’Be.

The new production, directed by Phil Willmott, runs at the Union Theatre in Southwark from 13 May to 4 June 2011 (previews from 10 May).

Fings Ain’t Wot They Used T’Be revolves around Fred, a loveable rogue, who comes out of prison to find he’s not quite the king of the manor he once was. It’s set in London’s East End, where composer/lyricist Bart (best known for Oliver!) grew up, and is populated with a selection of gamblers, spivs, prostitutes, Teddy boys and girls, and other characters from London’s low-life.

Fox – who plays Lil, the role that launched the career of Barbra Windsor in 1960 – is best known for We Will Rock You, which she starred in for four years from its 2002 premiere and which won her the Whatsonstage.com Award for Best Actress in a Musical. Her other West End credits include Taboo. Fings Ain’t Wot They Used T’Be marks her return to performing after taking time out to have children and record an album.

Fings Ain’t Wot They Used T’Be was premiered by Joan Littlewood at her famous Theatre Workshop at the Theatre Royal Stratford East. It then transferred to the West End’s Garrick Theatre, where it ran for 886 performances.

The new production is designed by Oliver Francis Townsend, choreographed by Nick Winston and lit by Jason Meininger, with musical supervision and arrangements by Elliot Davis. It’s produced by Elliot Davis and Ellie Collyer Bristow.