Review: BUGSY MALONE, Birmingham Repertory Theatre
Photo credit: Johan Persson
Forty six years after Alan Parker’s Bugsy Malone hit our cinemas, this fun loving gangster musical finally embarks on its first national tour. Though it has had several London revivals, Theatre Royal Bath Productions, Birmingham REP and Kenny Wax combine forces to assemble 39 performers whom create three rotating casts of 25 per performance for this national tour. Every element of this production is sublime.
The story is guided by Tallulah, the ”trophy wife” of Fat Sam and star of his Speakeasy. Dandy Dan attempts to take over Fat Sam’s territory and is quite successful thanks to superior warfare, the splurge gun (replace bullets with angel delight and you have the deadliest weapon). Fat Sam recruits Bugsy Malone to help steal the weapons and protect his territory. Bugsy is a lovable rogue, who falls in love with the new showgirl in town Blousey; Bugsy agrees to help Fat Sam for payment, which he will use to buy train tickets to New York to help Blousey achieve her dream of becoming a star.
Jasmine Sakyiam confidently opens the show as Tallulah. She exudes sass as she introduces you to the glorious and effective set, designed by Jon Bausor. We start backstage at the speakeasy, vast spaces of darkness, moody stairwells and forgotten corners are swiftly transformed to the neon bottled, gold dressed tables in the bar out front. The set seamlessly moves through well-defined locations with the help of the talented cast.
Mia Lakha as Blousey is well balanced against Sakyiam’s Tallulah. The two female leads are stunning in voice and stage presence. Lakha’s rendition of ‘Ordinary Fool’ is particularly spine tingling. The rivalry between the two is beautifully minimal, each allowing the other to hold space leaving the true fighting to the egotistical men.
Albie Snealson has fantastic comic timing in the role of Fat Sam and Desmond Cole is deliciously mean as Dandy Dan. With excellent direction from Sean Holmes, the two gangsters are sincere in their approach to their rivalry. This is adult gangster rivalry, the only difference, instead of bullets, its splurge.
One cannot write a review of Bugsy Malone without celebrating the title character. Gabriel Payne delivers this role with a charm that could sell ice to the eskimos. This suave and sleek performer is incredibly lovable. Aidan Oti as the lovably loyal Tizzy is also a delight. His performance of ‘Tomorrow’ has you clutching your pearls.
Every member of the production team and cast are deserving of personal mention and praise. Something magical takes place when every single element is not perfect but works in perfect harmony with everything else. One particular element must be mentioned: Drew McOnie’s choreography is exceptional. Clever and nuanced, each musical number is easily defined by its own style yet creates a complete picture of unity and harmony. Furthermore, the fitness of the cast to be able to deliver such incredible dance pieces that demand the highest of energy is simply breathtaking to behold.
This is one, Besties, that you really would be stupid to miss out on. Get your tickets, get them now, we will be returning to see it again. One of the best musicals we’ve seen this year.
Bugsy Malone plays at Birmingham Rep until 14 August, with tickets available here.
*Please note that the cast rotates, meaning you won’t necessarily see those performers reviewed above.