A universally-acclaimed revival of the Bugsy Malone stage show is touring the UK this year, and it’s stopping off in Manchester.
For one week only this November, Manchester Opera House will welcome the cast of the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre’s revival of the world-famous musical stage show, Bugsy Malone – which is based on the 1976 film of the same name directed by Alan Parker, and was first staged back in 2015 going on to win the Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival.
Just as the original film helped launch the careers of Jodie Foster and Scott Baio, this new production will be casting a young company of 39 actors to tour the UK in 2022.
The show will be directed by Sean Holmes and choreographed by Drew McOnie.
Described as being a “a joyously uplifting masterclass of musical comedy”, the show is packed with instantly-recognisable songs from Oscar winner Paul Williams – including My Name is Tallulah, You Give A Little Love, and Fat Sam’s Grand Slam.
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Calling all mobsters, showgirls and dreamers – Bugsy Malone The Musical is now on sale to ATG TheatreCard Members!
— Palace & Opera Mcr (@PalaceAndOpera) March 8, 2022
Keen to know what to expect?
A description for the show reads: “Prohibition era, New York. A city full of mobsters, showgirl and dreamers. Rival gangster bosses Fat Sam and Dandy Dan are at loggerheads. The custard pies are flying and Dandy Dan’s gang has gotten the upper hand since obtaining the new-fangled “splurge” gun. Now, Fat Sam and his bumbling buffoons are in real trouble.
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“Enter Bugsy Malone, a penniless one-time boxer and all-round nice guy, thrust not-so-willingly into the gangster limelight when he becomes the last resort for Fat Sam’s hapless hoodlums. All Bugsy really wants to do is spend time with his new love, Blousey, but that just isn’t in the cards for our hero.
“Will Bugsy be able to resist songstress Tallulah, Fat Sam’s moll and Bugsy’s old flame, and stay out of trouble long enough to help Fat Sam to defend his business.”
The critically-acclaimed Bugsy Malone revival is coming to Manchester Opera House this November / Credit: Lyric Hammersmith Theatre
Bugsy Malone will arrive at Manchester Opera House on Tuesday 8 November – Saturday 12 November 2022, and tickets go on general on sale this Thursday from 10am.
Loads of legendary retro steam trains will be travelling through Greater Manchester next month
Emily Sergeant
History will be rolling through Greater Manchester next month as loads of legendary steam trains will be showcased.
East Lancashire Railway‘s (ELR) Legends of Steam event is back again for the second year after proving so popular last spring, and this time around, there’ll be loads of iconic locomotives with ties to both film and royalty on display.
Returning from Friday 14 – Sunday 16 March, as part of the heritage railway’s ongoing 200th anniversary celebrations, well-known historic steam trains such the LNER A1 Peppercorn Class 60163 ‘Tornado ’ and the LMS Black 5 45407 ‘The Lancashire Fusilier’ will be on display, alongside a pair of ‘Bulleid’ light pacifics too.
‘Tornado’, which is the fastest steam engine to run since the 1960s, is also set to hit the tracks in a couple of weeks too.
This particular train has famously transported royals, and has appeared on TV shows and films, such as Top Gear and Paddington 2.
Fans of the ‘Jacobite’ steam train, which was made famous by its appearances over the Glenfinnan Viaduct in the much-loved Harry Potter film series, also have the chance to ride behind one of the regular locomotives from the Ian Riley fleet, 45407.
Rounding out the packed lineup is the instantly-recognisable pair of Southern Region Light Pacifics, 34092 ‘City of Wells’ and the recently-arrived Battle of Britain Class, 34081 ’92 Squadron’.
There’s also a number of dining experiences to make the most of too.
Rail enthusiasts can either enjoy an authentic ‘Golden Arrow’ menu on Friday 14 March aboard a traditional Pullman-styled carriage hauled by one of the Southern locomotives, or even take the unique opportunity to ride the iconic ‘Tornado on Saturday 15 March and indulge in fine dining options while travelling through the picturesque Irwell Valley.
East Lancashire Railway’s Legends of Steam festival will be back next month / Credit: ELR
“We are very proud to continue welcoming a great number of iconic locomotives to the ELR,” explained Mike Kelly, who is the Chairman of the East Lancashire Railway.
“It is such a privilege to provide access to these express steam engines to the thousands of rail enthusiasts and families across the country, and also a great opportunity to introduce these legendary locomotives to first-timers wishing to experience the magic of rail travel.”
East Lancashire Railway’s Legends of Steam returns on Friday 14 – Sunday 16 March 2025.
Both day ticket and dining options available, and you can find out more information and grab your tickets on the ELR website here.
Featured Image – ELR
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Iconic stage musical Mamma Mia! is coming back to Manchester next year
Emily Sergeant
Here we go again… one of the most iconic stage musicals of all time is coming back to Manchester next year.
There’s absolutely no denying that Mamma Mia! has millions of fans right across the globe, after all, when you take all of ABBA’s greatest hits and put them into one all-singing all-dancing show, it’s no wonder it’s so popular.
Going from the West End to becoming a global phenomenon, this irresistibly funny show has been thrilling audiences all around the world for more than two decades.
Now in its 26th year, Mamma Mia! has been watched on stage by over 11 million people in more than 10,000 performances just in London’s West End alone, as well as its UK and international tours having visited 42 countries in the past 20 years, performing more than 3,750 shows, and being seen by over 7.3 million people.
Join us at MAMMA MIA! and enjoy the ultimate feel-good factor at the world’s sunniest and most exhilarating smash-hit musical in Manchester for three weeks only!
Oh, and who could forget, it’s also been turned into two record-breaking movie adaptations with all-star casts – the first in 2008, and the sequel in 2018.
The sensational feel-good musical is returning to the stage where it belongs next spring though, as it embarks on an all-new UK tour – including stopping off to visit the Manchester‘s legendary Palace Theatre from 3-26 March 2026.
Casting for the UK tour is set to be announced in due course.
Iconic stage musical Mamma Mia! is coming back to Manchester next year / Credit: Brinkhoff Mogenburg
While we wait to see who the stars will be, what we do know is that the music and lyrics for the show are provided by none of than ABBA’s very-own by Benny Andersson & Björn Ulvaeus, while it’ll be directed by Phyllida Lloyd and choreographed by Anthony Van Laast.
Tickets for the highly-anticipated show are expected to be snapped up super fast when they go on sale in a couple of days time on Wednesday (26 February) at 10am.
Emily Sergeant -
8th March 2022 
