In 1963 Brighton, out-of-work skiffle player Francis Henshall becomes separately employed by two men – Roscoe Crabbe, a gangster, and Stanley Stubbers, an upper class twit.

Complicating it further still is local mobster Charlie the Duck, who has arranged his daughter Pauline's engagement to Roscoe despite her preference for over-the-top amateur actor Alan Dangle.

Even further complications are prompted by several letters, a very heavy trunk, several unlucky audience volunteers, an extremely elderly waiter and Francis' pursuit of his two passions: Dolly (Charlie's feminist bookkeeper) and fish & chips.

Nicholas Hytner directed James Corden in the starring role of Francis Henshall, with associate director Cal McCrystal responsible for the physical comedy.

[2] The play contains songs written by Grant Olding and performed by "The Craze", in a "skiffle band" style.

[5] The run ended 25 February 2012 and subsequently transferred to the Theatre Royal Haymarket on 2 March 2012, with Corden's role being taken over by his first cover Owain Arthur.

Other replacements throughout the run would include Hugh Sachs as Harry Dangle, Angela Griffin as Dolly and Kellie Shirley as Pauline, reprising her role from the tour.

A second UK touring production starring comedian Rufus Hound in the lead role, began 25 October 2012 at Curve in Leicester, on a run through 4 November.

Richie Hart, Philip Murray Warson, Oliver Seymour Marsh and Billy Stookes formed "The Craze" for this tour.

[14] An Actor-Musician adaptation on the play featuring popular music of the 1960s began in June 2017 for a residence at Eastbourne's Devonshire Park Theatre.

On 15 September 2011, the production was broadcast to cinemas around the world as a part of the British National Theatre Live program.

[19] This recording was made available on YouTube for one week starting 2 April 2020, as the opening production of National Theatre at Home – a series of free broadcasts in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.