Bugsy Malone
Summer Youth Project
Palace Theatre, Southend-on-Sea
THU 8 - SUN 11 AUG
Summer Youth Project
Palace Theatre, Southend-on-Sea
THU 8 - SUN 11 AUG
The Palace Theatre Summer Youth Project brings Bugsy Malone to Southend!
From the moment a menacing line of gangsters casually swagger from the darkness at back of the stage and the lights go up to reveal BUGSY MALONE's name lit aloft, you realise that this is going to be a show which is reliant as much on its tech team as it is on its performers.
The joy of the Summer Youth Project is that you don't have to be performer to get involved. Now in its 12th year, the SYP have consistently brought a group of around 80 kids together to put on a show within a 2 week timeframe. It never ceases to astound me just how they manage it; and it's only due to the fact that I was involved with one of the shows myself many years ago, that I can fully appreciate just how hard the production team, directors, choreographers, musicians, actors, wardrobe, chaperones and of course the technical team really work in order to produce the standard of show that would usually take any other group at least six months to put on.
The joy of the Summer Youth Project is that you don't have to be performer to get involved. Now in its 12th year, the SYP have consistently brought a group of around 80 kids together to put on a show within a 2 week timeframe. It never ceases to astound me just how they manage it; and it's only due to the fact that I was involved with one of the shows myself many years ago, that I can fully appreciate just how hard the production team, directors, choreographers, musicians, actors, wardrobe, chaperones and of course the technical team really work in order to produce the standard of show that would usually take any other group at least six months to put on.
Bugsy Malone is the perfect show to put on for a youth group as it's famously played by children. In the film version, Jodie Foster made a cracking Tallulah and Scott Baio, every schoolgirl's crush at the time, was Bugsy. The stage version, as with the film, has children playing the roles of gangsters based in New York and shows the rise of Bugsy Malone during the battle of power between Fat Sam and Dandy Dan. The biggest difference here is that unlike Scarface or Goodfellas, this gangster tale is a huge tongue in cheek spoof with splurge guns and whipped cream substituted for machine guns and bullets. There are specials on the rocks served up at Fat Sams instead of alcoholic beverages which all adds to the show's appeal and making it hugely amusing.
All the familiar songs are here, Fat Sam's Grand Slam, Tallulah, So You Wanna Be a Boxer, Only a Fool and of course the finale number Give a Little Love and the cast certainly give it their all in every number.
Monty Irving makes for a handsome, sweet talking Bugsy, has no trouble holding a tune and shows great stage presence. Eve Glenister is an exquisite Blousey Brown and really gets to show off her vocals in I'm Feeling Fine and Only a Fool; she reminded me very much of musical theatre star, Frances Ruffelle back in the day, which I think is no bad thing. All the principal players did a great job in their roles really displaying some great characterisations but I have to say my jaw nearly hit the floor when I heard Jacob Browne's rendition of Tomorrow in his role of Fizzy. My goodness that kid has some pipes!
Marc Mollica takes on the role of director once again and as always manages to get every child on the stage involved, no matter how big or small their role; from Bugsy to Baby Face, everyone has their character down to a tee.
I was especially impressed with the choreography in this production and am always astounded at just how on earth anyone can produce such brilliant dance routines in such a short space of time. The flappers in Fat Sams Grand Slam were wonderful to watch and the final scene with the whole of the cast on stage was nothing short of genius. I take my white Fedora hat off to Vikki Bussell and Douglas Yolland, assisted by Mia Bloomfield, who have teamed up once again to produce some stunning sequences here.
All the familiar songs are here, Fat Sam's Grand Slam, Tallulah, So You Wanna Be a Boxer, Only a Fool and of course the finale number Give a Little Love and the cast certainly give it their all in every number.
Monty Irving makes for a handsome, sweet talking Bugsy, has no trouble holding a tune and shows great stage presence. Eve Glenister is an exquisite Blousey Brown and really gets to show off her vocals in I'm Feeling Fine and Only a Fool; she reminded me very much of musical theatre star, Frances Ruffelle back in the day, which I think is no bad thing. All the principal players did a great job in their roles really displaying some great characterisations but I have to say my jaw nearly hit the floor when I heard Jacob Browne's rendition of Tomorrow in his role of Fizzy. My goodness that kid has some pipes!
Marc Mollica takes on the role of director once again and as always manages to get every child on the stage involved, no matter how big or small their role; from Bugsy to Baby Face, everyone has their character down to a tee.
I was especially impressed with the choreography in this production and am always astounded at just how on earth anyone can produce such brilliant dance routines in such a short space of time. The flappers in Fat Sams Grand Slam were wonderful to watch and the final scene with the whole of the cast on stage was nothing short of genius. I take my white Fedora hat off to Vikki Bussell and Douglas Yolland, assisted by Mia Bloomfield, who have teamed up once again to produce some stunning sequences here.
No musical is complete without an MD and Paul Day has returned to inject his know-how into this production with a fine sounding orchestra.
A very special mention must go, of course, to the technical team who along with the performers in this production have also been learning the skills needed to not only light and sound the show but also make and provide scenery too. I always feel that the tech team can often be the unsung heroes of any production and so I feel it only right to give a big well done to Callum Adams, Megan Bishop, Grace Hayns, Leo Mathlin, Lorna Thompson, Charlotte Thorogood, Oliver Webb and Mattia Mollica who we don't see on the stage but they make sure that everyone on stage can be seen (and heard)!
I truly wish I could mention everyone because at the end of the day any production put on is a huge team effort and you get the sense that everyone involved in this year's Bugsy Malone is having an absolute ball bringing the show to its Palace Theatre audiences. The most fun, I have no doubt, must be all the splurging from those guns and oh boy does that stage get epically splurged. I wouldn't want to be the one who has to clear it all up, that's for sure!
You still have four more chances to catch this show which is great for small and older children alike and perfect for a summer holiday treat!
A very special mention must go, of course, to the technical team who along with the performers in this production have also been learning the skills needed to not only light and sound the show but also make and provide scenery too. I always feel that the tech team can often be the unsung heroes of any production and so I feel it only right to give a big well done to Callum Adams, Megan Bishop, Grace Hayns, Leo Mathlin, Lorna Thompson, Charlotte Thorogood, Oliver Webb and Mattia Mollica who we don't see on the stage but they make sure that everyone on stage can be seen (and heard)!
I truly wish I could mention everyone because at the end of the day any production put on is a huge team effort and you get the sense that everyone involved in this year's Bugsy Malone is having an absolute ball bringing the show to its Palace Theatre audiences. The most fun, I have no doubt, must be all the splurging from those guns and oh boy does that stage get epically splurged. I wouldn't want to be the one who has to clear it all up, that's for sure!
You still have four more chances to catch this show which is great for small and older children alike and perfect for a summer holiday treat!
Grab your tickets now!
Review: Kim Tobin
Photos: Tim Browne
Full Price £17.00, £16.00
Concessions £15.50, £14.50
www.southendtheatres.org.uk
Prices shown are inclusive of any applicable booking fees. Groups of 10+ please call 01702 351135 to buy fee-free.
Review: Kim Tobin
Photos: Tim Browne
Full Price £17.00, £16.00
Concessions £15.50, £14.50
www.southendtheatres.org.uk
Prices shown are inclusive of any applicable booking fees. Groups of 10+ please call 01702 351135 to buy fee-free.
