Lionel Bart’s heart-warming evocation of wartime London is a tuneful treat in Phil Willmott’s high energy production
Lionel Bart’s follow up to Oliver! may share an exclamation mark and a London setting but this time it’s personal. His community of East Enders living through the Blitz, both Jewish and non-Jewish, are based on folk he might have met, rather than the stereotype represented by Dickens’ Fagin.
Shedloads of cash were thrown at the original 1962 production, but for my money I suspect director Phil Wilmott’s stripped-back version is not just shorter, but sweeter than the epic Noel Coward called “twice as loud and long as the real thing”. For starters, it works beautifully in the intimate surroundings of Union Theatre, appropriately nestling under Waterloo’s railway arches, just as these 1940s Londoners seek shelter from the bombing on the platforms of mythical ‘Petticoat Lane’ tube station.
Aptly named Mrs Blitztein administers chicken soup and good cheer to those huddled around her, undeterred by the flack she gets from her neighbour and sparring partner Alf Locke, a gentile and Dad’s Army-type officious air-raid warden. Mrs B is the widowed Jewish matriarch at the heart of Bart’s narrative, trying to do the best by her family. She is said to be based on Bart’s own mum and Jessica Martin’s warm performance does her – and Bart – proud. Insults like "loud-mouthed cow" that she fields from Alf (nicely fulminating Michael Martin) might seem racist through a contemporary lens, but more likely he’s exasperated by this rival to his authority – and to his Petticoat Lane stall, for her pickled herrings do pull the crowds.
Mrs B tirelessly attempts to keep her children safe, fed and in order. Oldest daughter Rachel (luminous Danniella Schindler) is safely married to observant Mr Finklestein, but young Carol (appealingly vulnerable Caitlin Anderson) is falling for Alf’s gallant son Georgie (Connor Carson). Her oldest son Harry (convincing Robbie McArtney) is a wide boy, his head turned from long-term girl Elsie by the leader in the Women’s Auxiliary Ambulance Service, feisty married Joyce (terrific Eleanor Sandars). Worse, he’s fallen in with a pair of spivs and fallen out of love with the army. “My fine son is a crook on the run,” she laments.
So, along with her neighbours, Mrs B tries to adjust to events and keep up community morale – notably in the defiantly upbeat number ‘Who’s This Geezer Hitler?’.
What stands out is the celebration of Yiddishkeit (Jewishness) demonstrated in the second half, starting with a beautiful rendering of ‘Adon Olam’ (a closing song of Sabbath synagogue services) and continuing with the reality check of ‘Petticoat Lane on a Shabbos Ain’t So Nice’. And that's gleefully countered by the explosion of fun that is ‘Petticoat Lane on a Sunday Morning’ – Bart at his best.
The energy of the whole hugely talented company is infectious. They sing and dance up a storm, thanks to musical director Rosa Lennox and choreographer Daniel Maguire on Reuben Speed’s compact, versatile set. This timely rediscovery of Bart’s celebration of wartime spirit comes complete with music and lyrics to cherish and enjoy now, thanks to this fine, perfectly cast production.
By Judi Herman
Photos by Mark Senior
Blitz! runs until Saturday 7 March. 7.30pm, 2.30pm (Sat & Sun only). £22, £20 concs, £15 under-18s. Union Theatre, SE1 0LR. www.uniontheatre.biz
Listen to our podcast with Blitz! cast members on JR OutLoud.