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!
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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.
There’s a big 3D animal egg hunt happening at Chester Zoo this Easter
Emily Sergeant
Chester Zoo is gearing up to launch a new Easter egg hunt when schools are out next month – but there’s a bit of a twist.
With Easter right around the corner, and schools soon to be out across Greater Manchester, if you’re looking for something a little different to do with the kids that keeps them both entertained and educated at the same time, then Chester Zoo has got you covered.
The UK’s largest charity and conservation zoo is launching the ‘Really Wild Egg Trail’ at the start of April.
There’s a big 3D animal egg hunt happening at Chester Zoo this Easter / Credit: Chester Zoo
All set to be a proper “educational adventure”, the trail will see giant 3D eggs hidden around the zoo’s 128-acre site – but the catch is, each of the hidden eggs belong to animals that you might not expect to hatch from eggs.
With an interactive map specially designed by National Geographic, there’ll be a total of six hidden eggs to seek out.
Once little explorers have found all six eggs hidden around the zoo, they can then make their way over to the on-site gift shop to pick up a Nat Geo Kids magazine that’s usually worth £4.99 for free.
There’ll be a total of six hidden eggs to seek out around the zoo / Credit: Chester Zoo
“This Easter you can expect something a little different at Chester Zoo,” Customer Development Manager Elinor Trigg said ahead of the start of the trail next month.
“From the largest lizard in the world to tiny invertebrates, this educational adventure will help to shine a spotlight on our world-leading breeding programmes that are helping to save some of the most endangered animals on the planet, while connecting children to the natural world.”
“We’re home to more than 27,000 animals here at our charity zoo,” she continued.
“The trail is a wonderful way to learn more about some incredible, endangered species and, at the same time, take part some Easter-egg fun.”
Massive new musical featuring songs by Kylie Minogue and Rick Astley to have world premiere in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Manchester will host the world premiere of a massive new musical this autumn, when the official Stock Aitken Waterman musical debuts here.
I Should Be So Lucky will be a brand new show that will celebrate the legendary production trio, who were behind some of the biggest hits of the 1980s.
Stock Aitken Waterman worked with the likes of Kylie Minogue, Rick Astley, Bananarama and Jason Donovan, and more than 30 songs from pop royalty icons will feature in the new theatre show.
You can expect to be dancing in your seat at the Manchester Opera House to songs including I Should Be So Lucky, Never Gonna Give You Up, and Love In The First Degree.
The original musical will follow young couple Ella and Nathan as they take the biggest step of their lives – marriage – but it doesn’t all go to plan.
Promotional posters for the new production say ‘the wedding is OFF, but the honeymoon is ON!’.
Rick AstleyKylie Minogue and Jason DonovanI Should Be So Lucky. Credit: Supplied
I Should Be So Lucky has been written and directed by Debbie Isitt and choreographed by Jason Gilkison, and will open at the Manchester Opera House on 1 November.
It will then head to play the Christmas season at Leeds Grand Theatre & Opera House from 12 – 30 December 2023 as part of a UK tour, the dates of which will be announced soon.
Mike Stock said: “We have been approached many times over the years to authorise a musical using the songs from the Stock Aitken Waterman catalogue and have always resisted, until now! What Debbie, Jason and the team behind the show have created is a truly original and shamelessly enjoyable rollercoaster ride through our hits.”
Debbie Isitt said: “The music of Stock Aitken Waterman has been the soundtrack to both my life and the lives of all my friends. Their songs range from wonderful ballads to real pop anthems to dance floor classics, which are all perfect for an original musical.”
I Should Be So Lucky will be at the Manchester Opera House between 1 and 25 November. You can book tickets now here.
Emily Sergeant -
8th March 2022 
