Bugsy Malone At Leeds Grand Theatre Review

Reviewed by Jenny Bray

Wow! This is the very first tour of Bugsy Malone, a show where the majority of the cast are young actors, some of primary school age.

The musical is an adaptation of the 1976 film of the same name, by Alan Parker. The film was entirely made up of child actors, including a 12 year old Jodie Foster. The music was provided by Paul Williams. Interestingly, the film was shot in England. It has previously been on at individual theatres but has never toured before.

The setting is the prohibition era in New York where gangs fight to be top of their game, namely Fat Sam versus Dandy Dan. However, this is a show that was originally written for Alan Parker’s four children to enjoy, so although it centres around gangs and crime, it also involves custard pies and then new fangled splurge guns that shoot out cream, making it much more palatable for younger audiences. The age guide is 6+ so there’s a whole lot of wholesome fun and gags included and no swearing, which is handy to know if taking your child/ren with you as I did. It’s also on slightly earlier at 7pm and is only a 2 hour show, including the interval. I was less concerned about this with it still being the school holidays but it is good to know for shows on once they’re back in school and/or for those with a child or children that flag early.

Bugsy (Shaun Sharma) appears early on in Fat Sam’s (Isham Sankoh) speakeasy and is smitten with Blousey (Delilah Bennett-Cardy) when she first arrives hoping to audition. When Fat Sam’s men end up somewhat depleted, he manages to rope Bugsy in to helping him with a job, which he does as he wants the money in order to be able to take Blousey to Hollywood as she dreams of being an actress and not just a singer.

The differing heights due to differing ages seemed a little odd at first, ie. a rather shorter Bugsy wooing a somewhat taller Blousey. However, as the heights are all over the place, you soon get used to it. Kudos to the younger ones involved in the show, for this one; Shaun Sharma as Bugsy, Kit Cranston as Dandy Dan, Elliott Arthur Mugume as Fizzy and Cherry Mitra as Lena/Babyface. The children involved brought extra energy to the performance when enthusiastically performing their parts. Faith Ifil as Tallulah successfully acted much older than her actual age with perfected attitudes for the role and came across really well with her soulful songs.

Isham Sankoh as Fat Sam had the biggest stage presence for me, working the stage and the audience, especially during his ‘solo’ of sorts… My children’s favourite characters were Fat Sam and Bugsy, for their parts and stage presence during the show.

I especially enjoyed the song ‘Bad Guys’, the part when they first start the song as if startled by the stage light made me giggle; ‘we could have been anything we wanted to be…’.

The stage setting starts as black with black stairs and balustrades, which change from being part of the inside of Fat Sam’s to being outside on the street and various other places. Extra set descends from the ceiling when needed, including tables at Fat Sam’s and punch bags for Sluggers Gym, meaning there are minimal pieces of set that are wheeled in and out.

I particularly enjoyed the part where Bugsy is driving Fat Sam and the car comes on stage and also the final scene before the interval, where fight moves are highlighted with clever use of strobe lighting.

Costumes ranged from fitted matching suits for most of the men to 1920’s style cabaret type dresses and sparkle for the singers and more demure dresses for Blousey initially and for other characters.

Leeds Grand is easy to find, with lots of parking choices nearby. We parked in the Templar Street car park, which is only £3 for the evening after 7pm and only about a 3 minute walk from the theatre. There are bars to order pre-show or interval drinks from as well as ice cream available in the interval.

Despite the content, the show is light hearted and uplifting. It’s neither the best plot nor the best songs I’ve seen and heard as part of a musical but it was definitely worth the trip and is a great family orientated show which will deliver fun to many audiences.

There are 3 children cast for each main part, so it is worth noting that you may not see the same cast that I have mentioned in this review. However, based on casting I’ve seen, it’s highly likely that the others involved will be as equally talented.

Rating: I rate it a 4/5

Bugsy Malone is on in Leeds until this Saturday (4th September) and then has an extensive UK tour across the remainder of 2022 and through in to 2023! Full tour details can be found at www.bugsymalonethemusical.com

Tickets cost from £24.50 to £46.50

Bugsy Malone is on at the Leeds Grand Theatre between 30th August and 4th September 2022.
For more information or to book tickets visit Leeds Heritage Theatres, contact boxoffice@leedsheritagetheatres.com or call the Box Office on 0113 243 0808

Leeds Heritage Theatres, 46 New Briggate, Leeds, LS1 6NZ