Camden New Journal - News: Crime wave set to sweep Camden as Fat Sam’s pie-wielding hoodlums move into the West Yard

Publications by New Journal Enterprises

Home

Archive

Competition

Camden New Journal - by SIMON WROE
Published: 04 October 2007

Tom Godano as Bugsy Malone splats Billy Brooks, director of new production for Camden Lock Market

Crime wave set to sweep Camden as Fat Sam’s pie-wielding hoodlums move into the West Yard

THEY could have been anything that they wanted to be – and they chose to be pie-wielding 1930s gangsters.
Camden Town’s organised crime syndicates will get a dapper addition to their ranks next week, when local actors don trilbys and splurge guns for an open air production of the prohibition musical Bugsy Malone.
For the first time ever, Camden Lock Market’s West Yard will become a giant stage as Fat Sam’s speakeasy sets up shop in the courtyard for the free show.
Producer Louise Lacaille, who is funding the project out of her student loan at present, felt the yard was the perfect venue for an adult version of the all-children Alan Parker film musical.
She said: “There’s a lot of times when the yard is not fully utilised. We wanted to make the show accessible to everyone so we got the most public space we could.”
The £5000-a-day site – donated for free to the players – will be overrun with wise-cracking guys and dolls, played by a 20-strong cast of professional actors and drama school students, many from the area.
The part of Bugsy is played by Tom Godano, bar manager of the adjacent Lockside Lounge. Mr Godano, who is also a professional actor, said: “The space is brilliant but it’s more to do with the people – there’s a terrific sense of community round here.”
The Lockside Lounge has applied for an extended licence for the duration of the show so they can set up a real bar at the back of Fat Sam’s club, where the audience will sit.
While Fat Sam’s bar in the original film served juice and sasparilla, the adult Camden version (with an age range of 17 - 30) will have alcohol beverages on sale for the audience.
But fans of the film need not worry – the songs and the pie fights remain unchanged.
Director Billy Brooks, who lives in Gospel Oak, said: “It’s a bit more mature, but it’s still playful. I intend to pie everyone I know, including my mum.”
Bugsy Malone is on at Camden Lock’s West Yard, Monday October 8 – Thursday October 11 at 7.30pm. Audience members are encouraged to dress in costume.

Comment on this article.
(You must supply your full name and email address for your comment to be published)

Name:

Email:

Comment: