Bugsy Malone

Bugsy Malone is a show that gives young actors a chance to perform with gusto, but without too many demands on their emotional output. Centre Stage youngsters certainly had the chance to shine, and shine they did.

The title character was played very well by Regan Meadowcroft even if he was a shade too old for a part written for a younger actor.

Cameron Woolsey as Fat Sam was in his element, a really splendid role to play, and what a great job he made of it; ordering his side- kicks around with great authority.

Kaitlin McCann as Dandy Dan did very well in a part originally written for a male actor. She made the character her own, just wonderful along with tall girlfriend Louella (Beth Ford) A nice bit of casting.

Bethany Freer as Blousy Brown was a natural in this role along with such a good singing voice, as had Lucy Sansom as Tallulah.

Monty O’Sullivan as Knuckles; Jack Greenaway as Leroy Brown/Barman & Ventriloquist; Matt Pile – Rowland as Fizzy Jess; Greenaway as Lena Marelli/Bronx Charlie; Jack Woodthorpe as Snake Eyes/barman; Max Johnson as Smolsky; Lisa England as O Dreary; Jack Arthur as Cagey; Joe/Ritzy/Marbini as the Magician, Edie Stratford as Louis, Jess Langley as ‘laughing boy’, and Grace Fielder as Shoulders along with Logan Bartlett as Benny Lee/Oscar De Velt; Toby Hill as Doodles/Baby face; Emma Chudley as Bangles; Lucy Vincent as Tillie; Chloe Lomax as Velma; Luella Lewis as Loretta; Millie Reynolds as Dott; Alice Gittoes-Davies as waitress at Fat Sam’s; Isabelle Moore as waitress as Fat Sam’s; Holly Thompson as Waitress at Fat Sam’s; Jasmine Woosley as Waitress at Fat Sam’s; Rosie Hodgson as Scoop Seymour/Radio Announcer; Sylvie Hodgson-Smith and Josh Lees as Shady, all deserve a mention as everyone did well working as a team. Principals and chorus, one cannot do without the other! The Juniors, Sophie Butler, Tilly Clarke, Jack Gittoes-Davies, Olivia Hill, George Killoran, Alice King, Issy Lees, Mia Lomax, Daisy Moore, Zoe Nicholas, Ella Skinner, Emily Stewart and Charlie Tate obviously enjoyed every minute. The future of Centre Stage is assured if these youngsters continue to show the same enthusiasm in future shows.

I particularly liked the touches that Helen added after the “splurge” attacks. The individual comments that each “victim” made were amusing and covered what can be the awkward moments of leaving the stage after supposedly fatally “splurged” I understand the young actors came up with these comments themselves.

Rachel Worsley did a great job, as always, with the choreography and the simple set was good. Jeremy Rawlings and his band, placed strategically in Fat Sam’s speakeasy, became an integral part of the show and performed excellently.

The lighting was cleverly used in scene changes, the dialogue was slick and seamless with the changes of scene. Super costumes and the green sparkly outfits for the dancers dazzled.

Thank you Centre Stage for giving the audience a joyful and thoroughly happy evening.

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