Bugsy Malone At Mayflower Theatre, Southampton Review

Reviewed by Joanne Hughes

A musical with all the right ingredients – captivating songs, superb dancing, gangster rivalry, innocent romance and, of course, splurge guns and custard pies – who couldn’t love it!

Alan Parker first wrote this enchanting story as a movie screenplay which became an instant hit when it appeared on the screens in 1976. Blending the winning combination of the gangster movie and the musical, Parker struck gold by casting only children, creating a much-loved film which appeals to all. Following the film’s success, the screenplay was transformed into a theatre script and Bugsy Malone -The Musical was born.

Buzzing with excitement, the theatre auditorium was a throng of expectant patrons. As the musical opened, we were completely bedazzled by the sparkly sequined dresses, impressive set, superb music, spectacular dancing and infectious energy.

Based in New York in the prohibition era of the1920s, Bugsy Malone is the story of two half-witted rival gangs, one led by Fat Sam and the other by Dandy Dan, both vying for control. With Dandy Dan having the new Splurge gun weapons, Fat Sam’s gang is quickly diminishing and things get pretty desperate, so Fat Sam decides to steal Dandy Dan’s ammunition and engages the help of Bugsy Malone. Bugsy, a one-time boxer, has fallen for Blousey – a would-be singer – and agrees to do the job for the money to buy Blousey the tickets to Hollywood that he’s promised. Enlisting a bunch of down and outs and Leroy Smith (who packs a mean punch), Bugsy manages to secure the new shipment of Splurge guns. An enraged Dandy Dan swears vengeance and an all-out showdown ensues with an explosion of Splurge, custard pies and flour bombs!

Drew McOnie’s choreography of the show was imaginative and spectacular, in particular the numbers that accompany “So You Wanna Be A Boxer” and “We Could Have Been Anything”. The set design was a masterpiece, transferring from inside Fat Sam’s Club to a restaurant, Dandy Dan’s abode, the Docks and the Boxing Club, with tables swooping down from above, the optics bar appearing and disappearing behind a set wall and a peddle-car seemingly racing forwards due to some very clever lighting. To add to this, the costumes were just ‘Wow’ – full of glitz and glamour.

However, it is the cast that make this musical a showstopper – with the leading roles being played by children, complemented by an adult ensemble. All the young performers shone out, regaling us with astounding singing (notably from Tazia-Faye Katsande as Tallulah, and Ellis Sutherland as Fizzy), an abundance of energy and guffaws of laughter – especially Charlie Burns (Fat Sam)’ Change of Scene’ set.

Ending with a standing ovation from the toe-tapping, song-singing audience, this is a gem of a comedy musical, which shouldn’t be missed!

Bugsy Malone is playing from now until 28th August at the magnificent Mayflower Theatre, which is centrally located in Southampton, and within easy walking distance from the main railway station, car parks, restaurants and eateries.

Tickets can be purchased from https://ticketing.mayflower.org.uk – or call the box office on 02380 711811 – and are priced between £19.50 to £39.50 though certain discounts and concessions may apply (see https://www.mayflower.org.uk/your-visit/booking-information/offers-discounts-and-groups for further details).

Rating: 5/5