1920s Spirit Alive with Summer Production of Bugsy Malone
The 1920s world of gangsters and flappers was vividly evoked at the Summer Production, as our talented actors and musicians from Years 7-10 performed a showstopping Bugsy Malone over two nights in a sell-out Beardwood Theatre.
Alan Parker’s much beloved musical is an uproarious comedy set in Prohibition-era New York, and tells the story of rival mobsters Fat Sam and Dandy Dan. Bugsy himself is caught in the middle, relying on his charm and wits to win the battle for his boss Sam as well as the hand of singer Blousy. The original 1976 film roles were played by young actors, and our young cast seized the opportunity with just as much enthusiasm and gusto.
Fan favourite numbers including So You Wanna Be a Boxer, Fat Sam’s Grand Slam and the showstopping finale You Give a Little Love were exuberantly performed by our cast, expertly accompanied by live music from a students and staff ensemble that included trombone, saxophone, trumpet and drums. The inclusion of fully-functioning splurge guns was energetically embraced by the cast, and clearly enjoyed with relish.
A talented team of pupils from Years 7 and 8 was also put to full use behind the scenes, from the technicians who expertly handled the sound systems and lighting to those who took on responsibilities in production and stage management, wardrobe, props and set-making .
Director of Drama, Natalie Maher, said “Colfe’s Drama Department has dreamed about producing this show for years and we are delighted that we have finally brought Bugsy Malone to the Beardwood theatre. It has been a privilege to work with such eager and intuitive students who have been devoted to delivering nothing but the very best, both on and off-stage. The cast entered into the spirit wholeheartedly and with such enthusiasm.
The department is so proud that all their efforts paid off and I know the audience felt the same. A huge thank you goes out to all our colleagues in the Music and Drama departments and beyond, our props team who sourced our fantastic splurge guns, and the costume team who kept the whole cast looking classy, sophisticated and totally true to the spirit of the 1920s”.
