Bugsy Malone

34 youngsters, aged 8 -15 years, transported us back to Prohibition Era New York – a world full of gangsters, their molls and showgirls with names like Doodle, Cagey Joe, Bronx Charlie and Babyface. Good use was made of the multi-level set with the addition of a few props making the changes between the speakeasy, Sam’s office and the outdoors scenes relatively easy – I particularly liked the large vintage-style pedal car in the park scene. The audience really liked the slapstick scenes with the custard pies and the splurge guns - as did the actors! Costuming was colourful as well as being appropriate to the era and the characters. The singing by the chorus in the large ensemble numbers like “Fat Sam’s Grand Slam”, “Down and Out”, “Bad Guys” and the finale “You Give A Little Love” was strong and the dancing well executed. The 9 piece orchestra handled the jazz and blues music of the score well and supported and never overpowered the youthful voices of the actors. Amelie Lot in the title role of Bugsy Malone gave a very strong acting performance and sang well in her solo “Bugsy Malone” and in the duets with Blousey and Leroy. As Bugsy’s love interest singer Blousey, Olivia Alexander was another who gave a strong performance and I particularly liked her rendition of the reflective “Ordinary Fool” in Act 2. 14 year old Issac Masson as Fat Sam, in his bright red suit, commanded the stage in every scene he was in with strong acting, a powerful voice and a good sense of comedy timing. As his moll Tallulah, Bella Hunter looked and played the part as to the manner born and her number “My Name is Tallulah” with the Showgirls that opened Act 2 was delightful. Strong support was given by Carla McKenzie as rival mob boss Dandy Dan, Ellie Newlands as janitor Fizzy, Dee Lawson as Knuckles (of the loud cracking variety), Georgie Reid as boxing trainer Cagey Joe, Rebecca Paul as Leroy the boxer and Rebecca Shirren and Charlotte Gibson as the inept cops Captain Smolsky and Officer O’Dreary. Well done everyone at Haddo Children's Theatre for a most enjoyable evening.

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