Bugsy Malone Tickets

Bugsy Malone Tickets

Bugsy Malone is a fast-paced musical comedy appropriate for all ages and full of quick scene shifts and slapstick humour. Based on the 1976 gangster film directed by Alan Parker, it explores the deadly serious mob activities of the 20s and 30s with a humorous bent.

Where to Catch Bugs Malone

The Bugsy Malone musical appears at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre in London, England. The planned season will also extend to two other London theatres. The Queens Theatre and Her Majesty's Theatre will also have curtain calls for this gangster comedy.

More About Bugsy Malone

The music and lyrics of this slapstick musical were penned by Paul Williams. It is based on the popular film by the same name that was directed by Alan Parker. Williams came up with the idea after making up entertaining gangster stories to tell his own children about a character named Bugsy Malone.

Although the setting of the film was in New York, the filming was actually done in England in 1976. It is loosely based on the real rivalries between gangs and their leaders, such as Bugs Moran and Al Capone, during the Prohibition era in the 1920s. All of the violence is made fun with the introduction of weapons that do all sorts of things, but never kill.

Casting Bugsy Malone

One of Parker's children came up with the unusual idea to use all child actors in the film. At the time of filming, the entire cast was under the age of 17. The story tells about how two bumbling gangs handle a long-term rivalry. The weapons of choice include guns that spurt whip cream, bombs made of flour and gooey custard pies. One interesting thing about the cast was that although they are adolescents, they all have adult voices in the film.

The stage show continues the tradition of using young actors. There's no way to replace a 12-year-old Jodie Foster, but Olivia Shay Masterson brings her own solid take on Tallulah, the gangster's moll. Mark Charles delivers a series of smooth vocals as Bugsy, but it is some of the supporting cast members that really steal the show. Max Gill, Emily Beacock, and Oliver Emery return from the 2015 cast to continue with their stage high jinks.

The Bugsy Malone Experience

Once the film was released in the United States, it received positive reviews, but wasn't a financial success until it was released in the United Kingdom. The film went on to win BAFTA awards for original screenplay, best production design, and best soundtrack. Later, the film received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Picture.

The first musical stage version was released in 1998 and contained two additional songs that were written by Williams, but not performed in the film. This performance was presented by the National Youth Music Theatre. This musical eventually was recognized as one of the top contenders in the list of the 100 greatest musicals.

Other Events Similar to Bugsy Malone

If you enjoy light-hearted shows about the dark side of life, also try to see The Comedy About a Bank Robbery or The Play That Goes Wrong.