Review of Bugsy Malone (Clyde Company) at The Royal & Derngate (Royal), Northampton

Last night I was back at Royal & Derngate to see the Youth Theatre/Young Company production of Bugsy Malone, this time seeing the almost completely different cast of Clyde Company. This second evening of the show had the fortune of running much smoother, with less of the technical issues that had beset the previous evening and restricted the success of some of the scenes.

It was most apparent in the Fat Sam's Grand Slam scene, which became a greater hive of activity, with a full dance routine taking place, which unfortunately hadn't happened the previous night. Leading this scene was a full-on performance from Morgan Charles as Tullulah, exhibiting the vocal talent, and most especially the dance skills she had shown in last years Fame.

In the lead for this second company, and taking a much different approach to the role, was Nathan Stroud. Here we had a more mature Bugsy, not just in age, but in personality. The slightly more serious style worked excellently alongside a sterner and sombre portrayal (at first) of Blousey from Mia Rista. She allowed the character to evolve gradually, and by the time we were at the lovely swing scene (nicely created from the flights), Blousey was a much different character, and playing off the more clowning now, hot dog eating Bugsy very nicely, this relationship was completed at this point in a very believable way.

Oscar White's Fat Sam lurched from almost straight acting to crazy moments. His "Tallulah" moment during the "go fix your face" scene was an inspired moment, which had the audience rightfully in hysterics. Personally, I did feel the audience interaction scene was played at too fast a pace, and much of the humour opportunity on this one occasion was lost. It's a nice fun scene, so doesn't want to be hurried.

There were talented little performances from two young ladies as Livvy Finney as Fizzy gave a sweet, gorgeous little show of Tonight, and then later a much more boisterous and showy turn from Roxy Raggio as Lena, in her front of curtain song, Show Business. Both showing an immense amount of confidence. Elsewhere hiding in the ensemble, Alfie Sanders was a highlight, oozing

confidence on stage once again and making very much the best of his opportunities.

James Clements and his nine-piece band during both company performances filled the theatre with some glorious period music, while the set from Sarah June Mills provided a solid and professional aspect to the show. Lighting, from Charlotte Burton, was also a fascinating piece of work, deliberately underlit to depict the dingy environments it worked extremely well to create the depression era and then switching to the bright lights of Fat Sam's club. I felt that there were some sound issues once again, with levels of the performers feeling wrong, however, mostly lines were generally audible.

Once again this company provided great entertainment via this favourite show with youth groups, and devoid of the few unfortunate incidents that bogged down the previous evening, made you appreciate the show a great deal more. Well worth catching either company if you are able to make it before it closes on Sunday.

Performance reviewed: Wednesday 11th July 2018 (Clyde Company) at Royal & Derngate (Royal), Northampton.

Bugsy Malone runs at the Royal & Derngate until Sunday 15th July 2018.

For further details visit the Royal & Derngate website at http://www.royalandderngate.co.uk/

Photos: Graeme Braidwood

Review of The House She Built at The Black Diamond, Northampton

Independent theatre company Nerve Theatre was founded in January 2025, when its first original production, Broken Party , took to the stage at Benn Hall in Rugby. That was followed the same year by a modern retelling of Frankenstein . Now, for 2026, Nerve Theatre founder Mia Ballard has written and directed The House She Built , staged for three nights at The Black Diamond, Northampton. The House She Built , set in 1950s Hollywood, is a dark thriller influenced by the lives of Marilyn Monroe, Judy Garland, Elizabeth Taylor and Audrey Hepburn and their treatment as women within the cogs of Hollywood. Our leading lady here is Nancy Carlton, who returns to Mellor Brothers Productions to make one final film. But something awaits her, and the scene is set for a period thriller that explores the grimy world behind Hollywood's apparently glamorous days. Michaela Clement-Hayes leads the cast as Nancy Carlton, the star troubled by her past, but returning to her old studio for that final mov...

Review of Barnum at Milton Keynes Theatre

Barnum , with a book by Mark Bramble, lyrics by Michael Stewart, and music by Cy Coleman, premiered on Broadway in 1980 and followed in the West End just a year later. At the helm for these two productions were two huge names in the entertainment business: Jim Dale on Broadway and Michael Crawford in the West End. It needed, of course, big names to fill the shoes of the legendary P. T. Barnum, whose tale is told in this now-fondly remembered musical. Filling these boots in this new production, now pitched at Milton Keynes Theatre, is Matt Rawle, a prolific theatre performer himself, but can he, and this production, live up to the iconic greatest showman? “Step right up and enter the dazzling world of P.T. Barnum, where imagination and ambition know no bounds”, the publicity for the show announces, and this new production of the now-classic Barnum - The Circus Musical mostly ticks these boxes. Rawle is a captivating and strong presence as the lead, bringing an infectious charm to the p...

Review of Paranormal Activity at Milton Keynes Theatre

The low-budget film Paranormal Activity , first released in 2007, has since become the starting point of one of the most prolific horror series ever, with seven films now released in the franchise and another due next year. Its unique down-to-earth style of storytelling, inhabiting what is many people’s real life, with dangers within the house, has contributed greatly to its success. So, from one successful medium franchise, it is no surprise the series was developed for theatre in 2024, with a new story by Levi Holloway (though it borrows heavily from the original film). First performed at Leeds Playhouse before heading to both the West End and Broadway, and now, for 2026, a UK and Ireland tour, which this week arrives at Milton Keynes Theatre. So the question is: has the medium successfully crossed to the other side? Newly married couple, James and Lou, move from Chicago to London in an attempt to escape both of their past lives. However, as events begin to repeat themselves, they re...

A Small Mind At The Theatre

Search This Blog