• Business
  • Community
  • Crime
  • Education
  • Health
  • Politics
  • What’s On
  • Traffic & Travel
  • Weather
Bath Echo
  • Friday 1st December 2023
  • Subscribe
  • Opinion
  • Reviews
  • Letters
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Latest Issue
  • Jobs
Bath Echo

Bath, GB

  • Business
  • Community
  • Crime
  • Education
  • Health
  • Politics
  • What’s On
  • Traffic & Travel
  • Weather
Home
Opinion
Reviews

Review | Bugsy Malone – The Theatre Royal, Bath

Wednesday 13th July 2022 Bath Echo | Lifestyle Reviews

Share
Tweet
WhatsApp
Pin
Share

Alan Parker’s glorious film explodes on the stage with endless joy and energy in this glorious production starting its tour at the Theatre Royal Bath.

Mia Lakha as Blousey and Gabriel Payne as Bugsy with Bugsy Malone Ensemble | Photo © Johan Persson

For those never to have seen the film, children play gangsters in the hunt for the ownership of the splurge guns. It’s beautifully daft and the young cast relish the moments to stereotype the villains and heartthrobs of the era.

It is faultless, the youngest of the company are around 9. The talent is breath-taking and the winning smiles are utterly captivating.

Director Sean Holmes runs a watertight production coupled with the outstanding choreography of Drew McOnie, super cool and utterly convincing Fight Direction from Kate Waters and Maisie Carter – there is not a weak moment in this two-hour celebration of all that theatre has been missing.

It is most definitely a family-friendly feel-good show. The splurging dealt with great sensitivity and the humour is spot on.

Led by the extraordinary Gabriel Payne as Bugsy, whose Act 2 number almost stops the show, the cast are in full control throughout.

There are 3 companies on rotation, but opening night saw Mia Lakha as Blousey with flawless vocals, Albie Snelson as Fat Sam with outstanding comedy timing. His hoodlum counterpart Desmond Cole as Dandy Dan with stylish presence and Aidan Oti as a winning and delightful Fizzy. Jasmine Sakyiama was in fine fettle as the vampish Tallulah and Cherry Mitra glorious as both Lena and BabyFace.

These names will no doubt lead productions in the West End and further afield in time to come. The talent is spectacular but the warmth and love for the craft radiating off this cast would surely solve an energy crisis – if only it could be tapped.

There are moments in theatre where you realise you ache from smiling and are moved emotionally by the sheer pleasure you are watching.

This is one of these shows – don’t miss it. It should be on prescription. A great big splurging hit.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Reviewer: Petra Schofield

Share
Tweet
WhatsApp
Pin
Share
Next article Views being sought on latest active travel scheme proposals in Bath
Previous article Residents to help decide where community funding should be spent

Related Stories

Review | Twelve Angry Men – The Theatre Royal, Bath
Wednesday 29th November 2023

Review | Twelve Angry Men – The Theatre Royal, Bath

Review | Quiz – The Theatre Royal, Bath
Tuesday 21st November 2023

Review | Quiz – The Theatre Royal, Bath

Review | I’m Sorry, Prime Minister – The Theatre Royal, Bath
Thursday 16th November 2023

Review | I’m Sorry, Prime Minister – The Theatre Royal, Bath

...
Followers
Follow
...
Followers
Follow
...
Followers
Follow

Top Stories

Festive characters set to arrive at SouthGate shopping centre

Festive characters set to arrive at SouthGate shopping centre

Friday 1st December 2023
Donations to Bath Cats & Dogs Home appeal to be doubled

Donations to Bath Cats & Dogs Home appeal to be doubled

Friday 1st December 2023
Cold weather sees gritting teams head out across the district

Cold weather sees gritting teams head out across the district

Friday 1st December 2023
Support being offered for rough sleepers across the Bath area

Support being offered for rough sleepers across the Bath area

Thursday 30th November 2023
Warning issued over frozen pipes as temperatures start dropping

Warning issued over frozen pipes as temperatures start dropping

Thursday 30th November 2023
  • Business
  • Community
  • Crime
  • Education
  • Health
  • Politics
  • What’s On
  • Traffic & Travel
  • Weather
  • Back to top
Created by Media Bath - Regulated by IMPRESS

About the Bath Echo | Your City, Your News

We're your local independent newspaper covering news and events across beautiful Bath and the close surrounding villages. We're here to help keep Bathonians in the know about what's going on in their city.

Useful Info

  • House Rules
  • Cookie Policy
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Complaints Policy
  • Social Media Policy
© Bath Echo 2023. All rights reserved.
Produced by Media Bath Limited