Bugsy Malone

~~The show Bugsy Malone features music and lyrics by Paul Williams with Libretto by Alan Parker, it is based on the acclaimed 1976 British musical gangster film directed by Alan Parker, which is a pastiche of gang warfare films, that were loosely based on events in America from the early 1920s to 1931 during Prohibition, it has comedy, wit and poignancy and features only child actors.  The story centers on the war between rival gangsters Fat Sam and Dandy Dan as they cause havoc with the help of custard pies and splurge guns instead of bullets. We find ex-boxer Bugsy Malone reluctantly helping Fat Sam save his business empire, as he has fallen for would be singer Blousey Brown and needs the money for train tickets to Hollywood, while also trying to resist seductive speakeasy performer Tallulah at the same time

Director Jane Caterall and Producer Jill Heeks had some talented young performers at their disposal for this production, they included Ben Timberlake as Bugsy Malone who gave a strong confident central performance, he also coped well when things on stage did not go as expected. Ben was complimented very well by Yzzy Heyes who sang and acted nicely giving an enjoyable strong performance as Bugsy’s girlfriend Blousey Brown. Lizzie Worrall-Kaye was excellent as Tallulah, she had good stage presence and appeared to understand her character very well. The action was set mainly in a speakeasy owned by the powerful gangster Fat Sam played assertively with confidence by Sam Keenan, his enemy and rival gang leader Dandy Dan (with his camel coat) was played with style and good diction by Harry Cohen and there was also a sensitive performance by Joe Harrison as Fizzy the humble janitor with stars in his eyes who wants to be a tap dancer and sings “Tomorrow” one of the nicest songs in the show

The cast in the numerous smaller roles and the ensemble supported the principles cast very well, they worked hard and produced some very good characterisations of their own with some nice comedy moments and good comic timing. American accents were generally very good as was diction and clarity of words meaning the plot could be followed easily.
I am very glad to say that there was live music from a small band who played very well, supporting the cast excellently and playing at just the right level so that the singing could be heard, well done to Musical Director Lauren Mulholland. Choreography by Pearl Williams involved, some very effective steps and was performed by the cast with enthusiasm, also the speakeasy dancers performed their numbers brilliantly with the razzle dazzle of the era.
It was obvious some thought had gone into getting the excellent costumes just right, they also enhanced the production and I am sure helped the actors with their characterizations.

 Just a few constructive comments for the future, it was apparent that a great deal of hard work and expertise had gone into building the set with wonderful attention to detail especially the two cars which were stunning, but I did feel the number of scene changes was a little ambitious for the production and venue, as they effected the overall pace of the show which was quite slow at times, more practical alternatives may have been applicable such as using props with lighting, curtains or static sets for some of the scenes. I noted there was also props missing in some scenes and I must congratulate the young cast who coped very well in those situations. The microphones also pick up the actors breathing and a number of off stage conversations, although these conversations were funny. However, the audience appeared to enjoy the show and appreciated the hard work and talent that had gone into bringing this entertaining production to the stage. so well done to all involved, we look forward very much to seeing your future productions. Thank you for inviting us we had a lovely enjoyable evening.

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