Bugsy Malone
About the Production
Based on the 1976 movie written and directed by Alan Parker, ‘Bugsy Malone’ is a comedy / musical about gangsters, an unlikely combination.
Set in New York during the prohibition era, ‘Fat’ Sam Staccetto runs a criminal empire, running illicit sarsaparilla and other rackets, as well as the ‘Grand Slam’ Speakeasy. When Roxy Robinson, one of Sam’s best men, is taken out by rapid-fire, whipped-cream shooting ‘Splurge’ guns, Staccetto puts the blame on the up-and-coming rival gang boss Dandy Dan, and all too quickly he’s proven right. Soon the city is gripped by a major gang war, and caught in the middle is Bugsy Malone, a none-too-successful boxing promoter, written off by Sam as ‘a nice guy…but a little too popular with the broads’. Bugsy has fallen for would-be singing star Blousey Brown, and between them they plan to leave town and head for California, but there’s the little matter of raising the money for the train tickets…
Mike Brown’s first stab at direction brought in a wealth of new young talent, with the ‘veterans’ dropped back to supporting and character roles. Containing big ensemble singalong numbers like ‘Fat Sam’s Grand Slam’, ballads such as ‘I’m Feeling Fine’ and ‘Ordinary Fool’ from Blousey Brown (Rachel Handler), not to mention ‘My Name Is Talullah’ from Kimberley Argles’ eponymous speakeasy chanteuse, the production provided a rousing evening’s entertainment and a springboard for Workshop’s younger talent.
The Cast
Behind the Scenes
Image Gallery
The Reviews
Gang Warfare in Coulsdon! Many Slain at Youth and Social Centre!
Relax, for the headlines are as spoof as Bugsy Malone, the stage version of that offbeat film wherein rival gangs fight it out with splurge guns, scores are settled with custard pies and the molls imbibe only soft drinks.
The Theatre Workshop production is not played with young children, as was the film, though two 15-year-old girls are the stars of an enjoyable show. Michael Brown directs with tongue securely in cheek; Mark Taylor is the accomplished pianist; and the company put the songs across with real style, especially the closing chorus, which sends the audience out on a happy note.
Although there are moments of slackness, one can only admire the generally high level of commitment. Innocent fun is the keynote. The audition scene made me laugh out loud, as did Chris Argles and Tim Young as the bungling cops. The wisecracking dialogue (“Keep your jokes behind your teeth”) is handled with skill and verve. Philip Gunstone is the amiable, soft-hearted Bugsy himself, and the rival gang leaders are played by Nathan Moughtin and Robert Del Toro, the latter amusingly barking out his frenzied orders to Glen Keary as his side-kick Knuckles.
And those two youthful stars? They are Rachel Handler and Kimberley Argles, as the molls Blousey and Tallulah. Both of them display genuine talent, especially in the singing department, and have impressive stage presence. Kimberley’s rendition of the wistful An Ordinary Girl is one of the best things in a lively show.
Donald Madgwick for The Croydon Advertiser
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