Think Bugsy Malone and think 1920s New York, gangsters, flapper girls and splurge guns.

Think MAD Kids and think packed houses, talented kids, proud parents and, above all, fantastic family fun.

MAD Kids past productions have generally featured children playing adult roles. That’s been part of the success and much of the charm. However the musical Bugsy Malone was actually written for child actors so it was pretty much a given that the group, with their well respected reputation, would be on to a winner with this slap-stick comedy.

The resulting show performed at Malborough Village Hall last week did just that and was a riot of music and dancing which joyfully celebrated the vitality of youth.

Jonathan Cardrick, in the eponymous role of Bugsy Malone, was perfectly cast as the smooth city-slicker who gets caught up in a gang war whilst simultaneously juggling the attentions of two women. Jonathan’s mature and stylish performance portrayed a seemingly effortless charisma and self-assurance and showcased his fabulous singing voice and acting skills.

As Blousey Brown, the new-girl in town, Kirsty Bonner played the quiet but steely-centred aspiring Hollywood singer beautifully. Kirsty’s clear singing voice was a treat for all. Vamping it up for all she was worth was Lucy Booker, playing the sultry nightclub singer Tallulah to tongue-in –cheek perfection; it was obvious she was having a ball.

Edward Griffiths was Fat Sam, the nightclub owner and gang-leader. Ed gave a dynamic portrayal full of energy and conviction. His tough, gruff accent, his physicality and his comic timing were brilliant. Rival gang-leader Dandy Dan was equally well played by a moustachioed Dan Sinclair.

Dan’s Dandy Dan was superbly shady, slimy and slick. We weren’t meant to like him but we did! Olly Simmonds as Fizzy, Fat Sam’s janitor, provided the pathos when he gave us a beautifully wistful rendition of “Tomorrow”, as he dreams of ditching the broom and auditioning as a dancer for Fat Sam one day.

Fat Sam’s and Dandy Dan’s various gang members, Jake Tasker, Zoe Taylor, Peggy Dean, Ben Sheard, Amelie Tyne, Ella Hassall, Cameron Kovacic, Elizabeth Sheard and Freya Murgatroyd all played the incompetent custard pie and splurge gun wielding hoodlums with humour and gusto.

Sleazy show girls and dancers Jessica Yeoman, Emily Alexander, Rebekah Jarvis and Abbie Wood all looked and sounded fabulous - and moved beautifully of course.

Sarah Montague’s fabulous choreography evoked the period setting and gangster genre perfectly and brought sophistication and style to the musical numbers. Sarah utilised the considerable talents of the whole ensemble. In particular the number “So you Wanna be a Boxer” was a knock-out.

Tommy Booker as hapless Captain Smolsky and Archie Feetenby as his incompetent Irish side-kick O’Dreary provided us with a lovable comedy double act. Not only was Tommy’s well timed ad-libbing an additional treat but Archie’s Irish brogue was a joy. Oh, and Archie can play drums when not playing Irish – and how!

Director Claire Tapper had given great thought to the casting and made sure that everyone had their moment to shine. The whole company of 50 are sadly too many to mention individually but all were very well drilled and slick. The authenticity of the American accents across the production was consistent and believable. Special mention goes to Gracie Seldon as the reporter and young Hana Wood as the violinist who repeatedly and expertly provided the funeral march exit music to great comic effect.

Technically this was a complex show with many challenging scene changes and effects. Stage Manager Lin Rowe’s expertly painted cloths and clever use of a raised platform across the back of the stage allowed for best use of the space, gave an extra dimension and helped to define the various acting areas. The superb costumes by Jill Clarke and Tamara Simmonds were stunning and showed great attention to detail.

The talented musicians led by Richard Carter, played at just the right volume throughout and were sensitive and supportive to the performers in all the right places.

MAD Kids wonderful production of Bugsy Malone was not only the result of the talent, dedication and commitment of the children, but more significantly it was the outcome of the talent, commitment and dedication of the relatively small team of people who run the group and brought the show to fruition.

Assistant director Gaby Kavanagh, Producers Nick Tee and Jill Clarke and Musical Director Richard Carter – indeed the whole production and backstage team deserve to feel intensely proud.

A huge amount of man, woman and child hours went into presenting Bugsy Malone. Thank you everyone at MAD Kids for making such an enjoyable and entertaining mess!

Jill Brock