In using this term however, I suppose it is also because of those clichés that I was looking forward to seeing it so much. The familiar, 'done well' can be quite a pleasing event, and I figured that the newly refurbished Lyric (great job by the way, I’d love to check out the new rehearsal rooms) were not going to do anything too shabby. I was quite drawn in by the poster alone: a flurry of children running through a smoky backstreet through a New York city light, which gave me the glimmer of childlike excitement that I experienced when watching ‘Emil and the Detectives’ back in November 2013. I’m a keen bean when it comes to child adventure films such as ‘The Sandlot’ an American tale of boy who is accepted into a group of baseball misfits, and ‘Stand by me’ the Stephen King favourite, both celebrating friendship ultimately. The tale of Bugsy doesn’t so much spur on the idea of friendship, but certainly aspiration and fulfilling dreams. This seemed a very appropriate theme for showcasing the talent that was beautifully picked. The cast really were the stars (for want of another cliché) of this show and all shared the endearing qualities necessary to warm to the celebration of the ‘child gangster’. There was a real representation of the different young faces you would see across London. Their New Yoik accents were complete ticklers, and sat nicely. Every time Fat Sam told Knuckles to ‘quit crackin’ his knuckles!’ I gave a little giggle or yelp.
The costume and style I felt remained very true and authentic to the typical understanding of a Bugsy character. The costumes were dark, smart and mobster like, and the girls dresses reflected that of the Gangster's Moll. It all fitted together. The car scene when Bugsy takes his $200 risky venture out for Fat Sam was great fun, and I hope the car will have a place somewhere very special afterwards. It looked as though it had been crafted carefully, and the brilliant lighting used in this scene to create the montage was clever and stylised well.
There wasn't an overuse of a projection or unnecessary clunky set changes. Showbiz moments were outlined by the marvellous lightbulbs that framed the stage, and the characters were cast well for their humorous qualities. Dandy Dan being a small boy with a big attitude, and Lena Marelli, the star of her own show being tiny but far from timid. It was almost like she was plucked out of the original film.
The voices of the actresses playing Tallulah and Blousey are worth a big mention. Both held their own, but it was particularly the quality of Blousey's voice that got my attention. Her voice quality was quite unique and left me wanting to hear more. She portrayed the emotion of the character perfectly.
The boxing scene was my highlight, and I really enjoyed how choreographer used the red elastic rope to create the ring. It was the 'transitioning and swapping' of the ring position that impressed me, as different Boxers took to the ring to demonstrate their worth whilst the other dancers switched their position each time.
I felt utter delight (literally- call me a comedian!) when the splurge guns shot out the Angel Delight filling, and it raised that playful childlike chuckler inside me. In fact, this playful mood was with me right until the end, and I was on my feet for the final song which was a funked up special that gave the cast and the audience a burst of energy they had been waiting for after that big 'Splurge battle.'
Go and see this, take your school, your kids, your friends or your date! You'll get to see how wonderful the new Lyric is looking and what it has to offer. Lisa and I have been showing the children at school Bugsy this week and have been working on it with our Drama group. I feel like it's their right of passage to know this story and I hope they'll go and see the young actors and be inspired to take their performing as seriously as they do.
No comments:
Post a Comment