Bugsy Malone

‘Bugsy Malone’ provided a good project for the company’s new youth directors to cut their teeth on: it was clear that everyone enjoyed themselves, both onstage and off, from the energy and enthusiasm of the smallest performer to the skill and smiles of the eldest, all was a buzz of anticipation and enjoyment.

Bugsy himself gave an accomplished performance; he sang and spoke well and was a confident storyteller, leading us through the complexities of the plot with ease.  Fat Sam was loud, rough and tough, desperate to keep control, a perfect foil for the smooth Bugsy and the cool and sophisticated Dandy Dan, controlling his gang with a flick of the wrist.  Blousey Brown’s singing had an unexpected maturity: ‘Ordinary Fool’ was a pleasure to hear, and her diction, like that of the delightful Radio Announcer, was very clear.  Tallulah played the club singer well, with her sinuous moves and sultry voice, while Fizzy tugged at the heartstrings as he dealt with broken dreams and constant rejection.  Always one step behind, Police Captain Smolsky and his anxious sidekick O’Dreary were well-drawn, with O’Dreary’s miming of the over-full bowl of plaster particularly good (and an excellent and professional recovery from her fall).  Characterisation of Bangles was very strong indeed, and there were attitudes we could all recognise amongst the catty girls in the powder room, who went on to smirk and gloat oh-so-believably as Blousey returned to Fat Sam’s. 

Everyone onstage was involved in the action at some level, with interesting interactions amongst the clientele at Fat Sam’s and at the fight, with the youngest boys putting on an amusing fight sequence downstage, as a trainee skipped energetically throughout ‘So You Wanna Be A Boxer?’   Auditionees for the Lena Marrelli Show were most entertaining, and really should have got the job!  Down and Out was interestingly-staged and the company maintained even pace and control throughout the number. The dance duet in ‘Tomorrow’ had just the right tone of gentle wistfulness, and the young violinist brought a touch of poignancy whenever she appeared.

Beautifully-costumed dancing girls and smartly-dressed hoodlums, the youngest recruit and teenagers alike, everyone exuded enthusiasm – particularly in the final splurge battle, when there was so much foam onstage that skating became a regular occurrence.  Actors can sweep the stage in this situation to avoid accidents, or stage management could make an appearance.  Scene changes were sometimes ponderous, and do take care that heavy accents don’t obscure the words.  Although this is a spoof and we don’t expect it to be too serious, take advantage of the opportunities the plot provides to create tension or to demonstrate emotion.

With several rising stars in the company and new directors to carry the torch, the future for SMTC and its youth group looks bright.

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