2 – 23 July
Alan Parker was making films for advertising before launching into a new role as a feature film director, eventually going on to win six Academy Awards, ten Golden Globes and ten BAFTAs. His career really took off after a long and tedious car journey home from a holiday in Derbyshire. To keep his children amused, Alan had made up stories about American gangsters, in particular one called Bugsy Malone. One of his sons suggested he cast children in the starring roles of a film – a lightbulb moment! The film Bugsy Malone was released to great acclaim in 1974, later adapted for stage at Her majesty’s Theatre, London in 1983. This production is a second outing for the successful Lyric Theatre revival, originally launched in 2015. To go by last night’s audience reaction, they are on to a winner.
The storyline is all you might expect – two rival New York gangs, one muscling its way into the other’s territory, against a backdrop of roaring Twenties song and dance. Dandy Dan has the upper hand over Fat Sam with his dastardly splurge guns – who can only watch as his team are methodically eradicated. If the tale seems a little hackneyed, the show is elevated by some outstanding performances and production values.
The central characters, Bugsy, Blousey, Fat Sam, Tallulah and Dandy Dan all present big shoes for very young actors to fill, especially on a stage as big as the Theatre Royal Bath. But tonight’s rotation of young talent didn’t disappoint, alongside an enthusiastic ensemble. The translation of choreographer Drew McOnie’s moves was impeccable – sharp and perfectly timed – the boxing scene in particular was stunning.
Jon Bausor’s inventive and flexible set worked stylishly and flawlessly with Philip Gladwell’s detailed lighting – the perfect backdrop. A dim New York backstreet morphs into Fat Sam’s glittering speakeasy bar, then the laundry where Sam’s gang try to snitch the splurge guns. A car chase scene with heavy strobe effects added to the energy of the piece.
There were many stand-out moments: Mia Lakha as Blousey wrenched a tear with her rendition of Ordinary Fool; Albie Snelson’s Fat Sam was always bursting with attitude; Jasmine Sakyiama’s Tallulah was sophisticated as Fat Sam’s moll; Desmond Cole swaggered as the impeccably tailored Dandy Dan; Cherry Mitra charmed as the put-upon Babyface while Aidan Oti nearly stole the show as the (ever-so loveable) caretaker of Fat Sam’s speakeasy club. But roaring into stardom has to be the wonderful, if momentarily diminutive, Gabriel Payne, who owned the stage throughout in a scintillating performance as Bugsy. He never ceased to be the centre of gravity in a glittering crowd.
The seven-strong band led by Connagh Tonkinson invested Paul Williams’s songs with real sparkle and kicked in hard for a finale that roused the house.
★★★★☆ Simon Bishop 13 July 2022
Photo credit: Johan Persson
