Review: Bugsy Malone, at the Opera House, Manchester

Some pieces you find are synonymous with your childhood/teenage years. Ones that you may have heard about at school one way or another, and then nothing until they pop up out of the blue. 

That was the case for me and Bugsy Malone. 

Many of course will know the Alan Parker film, but I first knew of it when my high school performed it - I must have been 12/13 at the time. And of course, I haven't seen it on stage since. It is not one that gets produced very often. 

Until now, as the Lyric Hammersmith, Bath Theatre Royal and Birmingham Rep production announced that it would make Bugsy history: the show's first ever UK tour. 

It's New York in the 1920s: a dangerous game is playing out between gang leaders Fat Sam & Dandy Dan. Singer Blousy Brown falls for boxer Bugsy Malone. And everyone wants to get their hands on the feared splurge guns. 

It's like the Godfather - but played by kids and with whipped cream splatters instead of blood. 

Yes, this cast is predominantly played by a younger cast. And this is where it gets, in a way, it's biggest strength and weakness. 

Don't worry, I will get the weakness out of the way - and it's some of the writing. It is very goofy. The classic example is the scenes with Fat Sam's gangs. They're replies of "Yeah Boss!" or "You tell 'em Boss! are very Saturday morning cartoon. But then again, this is the thing: who watches Saturday morning cartoons? Kids.

The biggest strength, meanwhile, is that this is the show to showcase the future of musical theatre. 

While the ensemble parts are mostly played by recent graduates, all of the main roles are played by child actors; for some of them, it is their professional debuts! 

So, I would like to take the time to mention each of them by name (who I saw anyway): 

• Gabreil Payne as Bugsy Malone
• Delilah Bennet-Cardy as Blousy Brown
• Albie Snelson as Fat Sam 
• Fayth Ifil as the lead singer Tallulah, famously played by Jodie Foster, and by Sheridan Smith (Funny Girl) many years ago onstage
• Aiden Oti as the adorable Fizzy
• Ava Hope Smith as Lena/Babyface 
• And last but not least, Desmond Cole as Dandy Dan

Well done to all 

I have to admit though, it is a little bit bizarre to see these young kids interact with older actors. For example, when Leroy came into the scene, I could not take the scenes with him and Bugsy together seriously because of the huge height difference. 

While it may be logistically difficult to do this as this is a touring gig, I feel Bugsy Malone works best in a fully young-person's setting, such as a school or youth theatre. 

Does this mean I didn't enjoy it? Of course not, even though it didn't blow me away per se. Bugsy Malone is, more than anything else, fun and a lot of that is from the cast visibly having the time of their lives. 

I mean who wouldn't want to run around, sing a bunch of songs, shoot guns filled with whipped cream and throw custard pies at each other? 

Speaking of the songs, they're composed by Paul Williams, the same chap who wrote songs for many a Muppet project, including The Muppet Christmas Carol (my favourite Christmas film by the way), and the one, the only: The Rainbow Connection. 

I would hope some of you know numbers like Fat Sam's Grand Slam, or So You Wanna Be A Boxer, or My Name Is Tallulah. They're so whimsical, and keep the show's spirit up: in short, incredibly fun. 

Would I recommend this? Yes, but a couple of things. 

First off, be aware if you're photo-sensitive in any way, as there is a section with quite a bit of strobe effects. 

Second off, is that it's kids who will appreciate this the most. Not just from the goofy antics and the splurge guns, but also from seeing all that talent, their age, on stage will I hope, be inspiring to them too. 

Bugsy Malone plays at the Opera House Manchester until tomorrow, before continuing its UK Tour.