Bugsy Malone

This piece is a real treat for youth groups, both for cast and audiences, who I am sure enjoy themselves in equal measure...and Rising Stars rose to the occasion with energy and style. With over fifty (50 !) young people engaged on stage, this show was a real m ammoth task for the production team! They, I am sure, were proud of the result...

 We opened to a superb overture from a ten piece band who excelled throughout without over powering the young singers. The scene was set with the evocative ‘picture’ of Fat Sam’s Café and the its seedy clientele leading to the Speakeasy Dancers (Eloise Bartram, Fay Bishop, Alice Cushing, Ophelie Ribery-Doyle, Rebecca Walter) who were immaculate and, with some creative choreography, set the standard matched by the Speakeasy Singers (Emma Jordan, Gemma Tovell, Daisy Tyrell-Kent) who showed their style and outstanding singing prowess especially with  some tricky harmonies. Singing throughout was of a high order. Fat Sam himself (Sam Howlett) was the well interpreted and concerned Club Owner with a very busy Janitor, Fizzy (Jessica Tovell) adding a nice touch of humour.

 Now of course we have the two opposing gangs to ‘enjoy’ the mayhem; Fat Sam’s with Bugsy Malone (Thomas Finch) one of only three male gangsters (I would never have guessed!) who led his motley crew with dedication and confidence. His ‘girlfriend’ Blousey Brown (Holly Smith) was the suitably insecure jealous type and showed her displeasure at the attentions of Club Singer Tallulah (Jennifer Steed) as she ‘chased’ Bugsy with a feisty performance. We had the ever so slightly dim but very entertaining Knuckles (Lydia webb), loved the cracking effect! Ritzy (Michi Bezant), Angelo (Chloe Dix), Snake Eyes, great glasses, (Connor Langford). Louis ( Laura Ellis), each giving their all to the cause with decent accents and strong‘deaths’.

 Then in opposition and equally committed were Dandy Dan’s Gang, they also had names to suit their ‘poisanalities’.. Dandy (Oliver Walter), Bronx Charlie (Darci Boyne), Laughing Boy (Madeline Finch) Benny Lee (Rose Baker)Yonkers (Katie Ray), Shoulders (Amelia Parker).and ‘cute’ Doodle (Emily Steed). All relished the misinformation, mayhem and murder and it is hard to imagine that this tale was actually based on real life American ‘gangland’ experiences as the  true carnage is so graphically portrayed with splurge guns gushing their deadly gunge (Oh what fun!!), with no misfires...except poor old Knuckles..or was he stitched up!? No doubt tame compared to today’s computer games! There were some great cameos from the Police (Doeke Dobma, and George Etteridge), Opera Diva Lena Marrelli (Lucy Carroll), Boxer Leroy Smith (Zak Poll) and his Manager (Tom Oldman)... I particularly liked the Photographer...(?) who popped up to record each and every ‘newsworthy’ massacre! The set was well considered and I must compliment the Stage Crew on the slick changes. Costumes were detailed and reflected the era in which this tale is set. The whole cast, who were on the younger side of this youth category, showed  real energy and enthusiasm which was conveyed to the appreciative audiences with full houses most nights!

 This was a really strong production from a group who, after all, won the NODA Best Production Shield (Adult and Juniors!) last year for their ‘Les Miserable’, School Edition, and received a nomination this year for ‘Back to the Eighties’. Keep it up!

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