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Picture
 REVIEW
​Alleyn Court Preparatory School present
BUGSY MALONE
a play by Alan Parker
Palace Theatre, Westcliff on Sea
20th-22nd March 2019 
Picture hard-living, hard-drinking, hard-fighting gangs in a blood-filled turf war in New York during the Great Depression and Prohibition of 1920’s.  Add a healthy dose of slapstick comedy in the vain of Laurel and Hardy and Benny Hill (with an infusion of innocence instead of innuendo) and eureka! – you have Bugsy Malone, the musical gangster comedy stage show that has been a family favourite for, would you believe, more than 4 decades.

This light-hearted spoof of Caponian New York, complete with splurge guns and pedal cars, is the landmark collaboration of Alan Parker and Paul Williams.  Parker skilfully creates a child friendly representation of history without horror and elimination without extermination, in his portrayal of rival gangs battling to become ‘top dog’. This is complemented by Williams’ Oscar winning “Best Original Song Score”, in which he combines music of a 1920’s speakeasy ambience with the energy and vitality required to engage the young cast and audience for whom this show is primarily intended.

In this production by Alleyn Court the audience was treated to a performance of such excellence that one had to frequently remind oneself that the cast is that of prep school age and not one that is much older and more mature.  Clearly the children were wholeheartedly committed to and enjoyed their performance and so the huge feel good factor was not in the slightest diminished by the one or two technical hitches and performance slips that I have every confidence will be honed and perfected as the week progresses.

‘Bugsy’ is a landmark screen and stage show which produced a springboard to many stars.  The career of the hugely talented Jodie Foster and her outing as the first Tallulah is well documented.  However, significantly less mention is given to actors such as Bonnie Langford (who needs no introduction); Mark Curry (Blue Peter, Catchphrase, Bread, Doctors, Last of the Summer Wine and London’s Burning);
Andrew Paul (The Bill’s Dave Quinan, Where the Heart Is, Eastenders, Morse, Lewis and Endeavour); Scott Baio (Happy Days, Diagnosis Murder) and, Catherine Zeta Jones (1st Stage Production’s Tallulah)

So, one is left to wonder how many of tonight’s fabulous cast might tread the boards or grace the screen in the future.  Certainly, notable performances by all the principals would indicate that where there is the aspiration and determination, together with the appropriate mentoring and training, everything is possible.  This said, particularly outstanding performances, that could be said to have outshined the Super Trouper, were given by Gabriel Williams (Bugsy Malone), Alice Traynor (Blousey Brown), Finlay Harlett (Leroy) and the show stopping Isabella Domingo (Fizzy).

The ensemble, (who were all brilliant and looked stunning with the help of fabulous costumes, props and set design) produced a full vibrant sound that any ensemble would be proud of.  The two gangs were lively and hilarious with convincing moves and great comedic timing. The dancers gave a confident and well synchronised and entertaining performance but equally demonstrated good timing and flowing movement individually where choreographed.

The band, under the highly capable direction of Mr Ashton Moore, comprised mainly of local musicians, who gave the professional performance one might expect.  Specific mention to two exceptions must be made. Rosie Dunn and Lucas Mahal, students at Southend High School for Girls, were not remotely overawed by performing with such a high-quality band on a professional stage.

It is clear that no production of this type is accomplished without the skills, industry, commitment and attention to detail of a raft of unseen personnel - not least the stage crew who among other things hilariously cleared the resultant ‘splurge-dowsed-carnage’ after each ‘fight’ scene.  These unsung heroes should bask in the glory of not only being facilitators a fabulous evening’s entertainment, but of education at its best - an experience, development and learning that no classroom ‘chalk and talk’ can ever produce. And so, my ‘hat comes off’ to Headteacher, Mr Snow, Mr Ashton Moore and Mrs Kate Wells (together with a whole host of others) for their visionary enterprise, in pulling off what can only be described as a tour de force.

Charles Champlin of The Los Angeles Times described the 1976 original screen version of ‘Bugsy’ as “....a rare, original, tuneful, light-hearted, charming and preposterously innocent family film.”  I can say no better of the outstanding stage performance given by Alleyn Court Preparatory School.

​Review:  Charles Sluddon
Photo Credits: Stephen Hawke for Alleyn Court Preparatory School

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