Big Hitting Bugsy

Posted on 17th Feb 2025 in Performing Arts, School News

Basingstoke’s Haymarket Theatre was transported to the mean streets of New York this week in LWC’s sell-out production of Bugsy Malone.

More than 70 talented cast and crew brought the house down across three performances, in front of more than a thousand people on Wednesday 22nd and Thursday 23rd January.

Alan Parker’s musical is set during the Prohibition era and tells the story of a gang war between Dandy Dan and Fat Sam. In an attempt to gain the upper hand, Fat Sam turns to former boxer, Bugsy Malone to try and outsmart his rival. But Bugsy is also set on impressing new love, Blousey.

LWC Headmaster, Adam Williams remarked, “We witnessed indescribable joy, fun and possibly an overexuberance of splurging.”

Bugsy Malone was released as a film in 1976. Its real point of difference was that all characters were played by children firing ‘splurge’ guns filled with cream.

LWC student reviewers were in no doubt that the performance was a big hit with those watching.

Sixth Former, Max writes, “The closing song of Bugsy Malone is titled ‘You Give a Little Love’ (and it all comes back to you). The effort, energy and enthusiasm put in by the whole cast and crew meant that it certainly came back to them. This production of Bugsy Malone contained laughs from start to finish, with a phenomenal soundtrack to go with it.

The portrayal of Fat Sam in particular was amazing and the scene featuring him, alongside Knuckles as they practiced aiming at a cardboard cut-out of Dandy Dan, was a real favourite. The acting of both performers led to the audience being left in stitches.”

Third Former, Hari added, “The play was excellently executed. The lights were brought up to a man being splurged to the soundtrack of gunfire. This instantly set the tone of the show, before Bugsy gave us an insight into his life story and we were introduced to the big number. It was a beautiful subversion of expectations. The play continued with bright and shiny songs like ‘Bad Guys’, whilst ‘Tomorrow’ and ‘Down and Out’ illustrated the harsh reality of the streets. An excellent combination of mystery and dramatic irony.”