Kavanagh College gets gangster with ‘Bugsy Malone’
THIS musical gangster comedy follows the rivalry between two halfwitted New York 1920s street gangs, one led by Fat Sam (Josh Chisholm) and the other led by Dandy Dan (Connor Butler).
Dandy Dan’s hoodlums have been terrorising the neighbourhood with their new ‘‘splurge guns’’. His rival, Fat Sam, owner of the famous speakeasy ‘‘Fat Sam’s Grand Slam’’, is still using oldfashioned cream pies.
Fat Sam engages the help of Bugsy Malone (Kieran Kelly), a charismatic, not completely honest, washedup boxer, to knock Dandy Dan off his pedestal.
The show begins with Bugsy Malone witnessing the murder of one of Fat Sam’s best men, Roxy ‘‘the Weasel’’ Robinson (Ted KerrBell), as he makes his way to the local speakeasy, ‘‘Fat Sam’s Grand Slam’’. Fat Sam is enraged and vows revenge on Dandy Dan and his henchman, promising Bugsy a considerable sum of money in exchange for his help. Meanwhile, Bugsy is more interested in chatting up the new girl in town, Blousey Brown (Sophie Whibley), who has come to audition for Fat Sam’s club. However, auditions are the last thing on Fat Sam’s mind, as he devises a plan to save his empire. Nevertheless, the devoted Fizzy (Tuseka Njoko), Fat Sam’s cleaner, laments her ever elusive chance to audition.
To complicate things, Bugsy promises to take Blousey to Hollywood while fending off flirtations from Tallulah (Claire Lamb), Fat Sam’s girl.
Plans are hatched, deals are done, splurge guns splatter and custard pies squelch. Both gangs suffer heavy loses.
Just when you think it can’t get any worse for Fat Sam, Bugsy enlists the help of a ‘‘real boxer’’, Leroy (Jake Radipanyane), and some ‘‘down and outs’’ for an explosive showdown with Dandy Dan.
‘‘Fat Sam’s Grand Slam’’ explodes into a frenzy of cream, custard, splurge, shrieks and
squeals, but out of the gooey pandemonium ‘‘a little love’’ emerges.
Kavanagh College is delighted to welcome back Bert and Liz Nisbet, who have once again given their time, energy and expertise to direct another fabulous show.
Bugsy Malone is a fastmoving toetapping adorable story with lovable characters, glorious costumes, lively melodies and more action than a custard pie can
handle.
This is a family show, a night of outstanding music, singing, acting and dancing.
Many thanks to our choreography team, Alexi Hart and Clare MacDonell; our technical team, under the superb management of James Gunn; our magnificent jazz band, under the direction of the talented Georgie Watts; and all the wonderful parents organising costumes, props and stage sets.