Since its debut as a movie in 1976, gangster musical comedy Bugsy Malone has quick change into a household favorite, capturing audiences imaginations around the globe. Written by Alan Parker, with music and lyrics by Paul Williams, London audiences can as soon as once more be a part of Fat Sam, Dandy Dan, Tallulah, Blousey and Busgy on their adventures this festive season because the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre’s Olivier award-nominated manufacturing performs Alexandra Palace for a strictly restricted run.
Welcome to New York 1929! A metropolis stuffed with mobsters, showgirls and dreamers. Rival gangster bosses Fat Sam and Dandy Dan are at loggerheads. The custard pies are flying and the new-fangled “splurge” gun is inflicting mayhem. Enter Bugsy Malone, a penniless one-time boxer and all-round good man. All he desires is to spend time together with his new love, Blousey, however can he resist seductive songstress Tallulah and keep out of bother lengthy sufficient to assist Fat Sam defend his enterprise? Packed with immediately recognisable songs together with My Name is Tallulah, You Give A Little Love and Fat Sam’s Grand Slam, this fun-filled and riotous musical comedy provides the proper deal with for all of the household.
Directed by Olivier Award-winning Sean Holmes and choreographed by Olivier Award successful Drew McOnie, this manufacturing of Bugsy Malone The Musical stars a proficient solid of younger performers aged between 9 and 16 within the main roles, supported by an ensemble of grownup performers. The mixed firm of thirty-nine actors (together with three groups of seven children) are joined by a stay band of seven musicians. The grownup solid is all exceptionally proficient, taking part in a number of singing and dancing roles supporting the younger actors and looking out like they’re having a wonderful time all through. The younger solid on press evening was made up of Albie Snelson as Fat Sam, Jasmine Sakyiama as Tallulah, Gabriel Payne as Bugsy, Mia Lakha as Blousey, Aidan Oti as Fizzy, Cherry Mitra as Lena/Babyface and Desmond Cole as Dandy Dan.
Aidan Oti as wannabe performer Fizzy and Cherry Mitra as Lena/Babyface soften your coronary heart with their characters, so enjoyable and earnest. Desmond Cole as Dandy Dan stepped into the position completely and performed a splendidly corrupt gangster having as a lot enjoyable all through. Mia Lakha as Blousey was splendidly solid, commanding the stage with a candy presence that match her ingenue character completely. Gabriel Payne as Bugsy was unimaginable. Walking with swagger and confidence, you couldn’t assist however smile each time he took the stage performing the proper likeable clever man. Jasmine Sakyiama as Tallulah was sensational, half narrator half scene-stealing showgirl her My Name Is Tallulah on the prime of Act Two was a showstopper as her highly effective voice stuffed Alexandra Palace fantastically, reminding the viewers of a younger Ariana DeBose. Albie Snelson as Fat Sam was completely hilarious. Holding the viewers within the palm of his hand, his comedic efficiency was a spotlight of the night and I can’t wait to see the place this younger performer goes.
Sean Holmes’s course of this Bugsy Malone is absolute perfection. From working with the younger actors sight traces, to giving them the arrogance wanted to carry out their characters with finesse, by means of to the supply of traces and jokes, Holmes hit the nail on the pinnacle each time. Combined with multi-award-winning worldwide stage designer Jon Bausor’s set, this Bugsy is the last word manufacturing. So slick {and professional}, with a run time of just below two hours (together with interval) this can be my favorite manufacturing of the festive season to date.
Running simply till January fifteenth earlier than persevering with on its UK Tour, be sure to Give a Little Love and see Bugsy Malone at Alexandra Palace this Christmas.
★★★★★
Reviewed by Stuart James