Photo Flash: In Rehearsal with FINGS AIN'T WOT THEY USED T'BE, Beg. Tonight at Theatre Royal Stratford East

Mark Arden as Fred, Ryan Molloy as Horace, Stefan Booth as Tosher, Christopher Ryan as Red Hot, Vivian Carter as Myrtle, Stevie Hutchinson as Ted/PC 2, John Olohan as Paddy, Gary Watson as Norman/PC 1 and Joanna Woodward as Margaret join the previously announced BAFTA nominated Jessie Wallace (EastEnders) as Lil, Gary Kemp (The Krays/ The Bodyguard/Spandau Ballet) as PC Collins, Sarah Middleton as Rosie, Ruth Alfie Adams as Brenda, Will Barton as Percy and Suzie Chard as Betty to complete the cast of Fings Ain't Wot They Used T'Be. Scroll down for a first look at the cast in action!

Coinciding with Joan Littlewood's Centenary, and alongside the new production of Oh What a Lovely War, Fings Ain't Wot They Used T'Be is returning to Theatre Royal Stratford East in a new version by Olivier-nominated Elliot Davis (Loserville, Soho Cinders). The show will be directed by the multi award-winning Terry Johnson (Oh What A Lovely War, Duck House, La Cage Aux Folles, End of the Rainbow, Little Voice), withAdam Lenson as associate director, set and costume design by William Dudley, lighting design by Ben Ormerod, sound design by Gareth Owen and choreography by Nathan M Wright. The production will run from 8 May to 8 June with press night on Tuesday 20 May. Fings Ain't Wot They Used T'Be is produced by Theatre Royal Stratford East, Elliot Davis, Paul Tyrer & Jamie Clark for The Booking Office, and Ros Povey Productions with casting by David Grindrod Associates.

This famous show was initially developed in 1959 by Joan Littlewood and her Theatre Workshop Company at Theatre Royal Stratford East,before transferring 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 popular hit song by Max Bygraves.

Set at the end of the 1950s, preceding the birth of rock and roll and the Beatles, Fings Ain't Wot They Used T'be is a witty and warm-hearted musical set within an East End underworld of gamblers, spivs, prostitutes and Teddy boys. Written by ex-con Frank 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.

Fings Ain't Wot They Used T'be will run from today 8 May - Sunday 8 June 2014. Performances Tuesday - Sunday at 7.30pm (excl.Sun 11 May), Weds Mats: 21 May, 28 May, 4 June at 2.00pm, Saturday & Sunday Mats at 3.00pm. Tickets start from £7 to £38, with concessions available on all performances. Group discount available: 10 for 9 (full price seats only). To book tickets call the Box Office on 020 8534 0310, visit www.stratfordeast.com or book in person at Theatre Royal Stratford East, Gerry Raffles Square, London E15 1BN. ACCESS PERFORMANCES: Audio: 23 May, Signed: 28 May, Captioned: 30 May. Please note, this production is suitable for ages 13+.

Photo Credit: Robert Day

To post a comment, you must register and login.