If you were in Birmingham last night, there was only one place to be seen, and that was at Fat Sam’s Grand Slam Speakeasy. Yes the fabulous jazz age musical Bugsy Malone had its press night at The Rep last night in sassy, splurging style and was an absolute triumph. It is bold and bright, super funny, and played with aplomb by a talented young cast who looked like they were having a ball. It received a much deserved standing ovation at its end, and will delight audiences all through the summer. Im short, it is a smash!

Chicago was a dangerous place to be during the 1920s, especially if you had links to Fat Sam. A rival gang, Dandy Dan’s men is bumping off his gangsters with splurge guns and Sam is running scared. Bugsy Malone is a chancer who wants to make enough money to take his new love interest, the wannabe singer Blousey to Hollywood, and helping Sam might just be his ticket out of Chicago. But it’s not without it’s dangers, who will be left by the time of the closing song…

The whole cast is absolutely marvellous, perfect for their roles and playing with a relish and bravado that belies their young ages. Bugsy is a brilliant Gabriel Payne, getting the wisecracking, smooth talking Bugsy just right, well matched by the fantastic Mia Lakhi’s Blousey, with a voice that is just incredible – a real star in the making. Jasmine Sakyiama’s is a slinky, glamorous Tallulah, quick with the wisecracks and one liners that make it such a standout role, whilst Aidan Oti totally won hearts in the role of Fizzy, who’s audition is always ‘tomorrow’.

My standout from the cast is the brilliant Albie Snelson as Fat Sam. He appears in so many scenes and just dominates them, particularly in the scene when he does his own ‘scene change’ to much hilarity from the audience. He is ably matched by Dandy Dan’s Desmond Cole who is quietly menacing in the role. A Special mention must also be given to Mohamed Bangura as accidental boxer Leroy who lights up every scene he is in.

The beauty of Bugsy, aside from the charm of its juvenile cast, has always been the songs, and here they are performed with sass and exceptional choreography. My personal fave moment is the classic ‘We could’ve been anything that we wanted to be’ performed by a cast of gangsters to perfection, It just sums up the whole joyous performance of this brilliant musical.

BUGSY MALONE

Sat 30 Jul–Sun 14 Aug 2022

Click here for ticket information

Sharing is caring!