Madeleine is a real Dandy

Preston girl Madeleine Warren is starring in a new production of Alan Parker’s hit musical Bugsy Malone.

The 23-year-old actress, who attends Archbishop Temple School and lives in Barton, is one of the rising stars at the Backstage Pass Stage School, based at Clitheroe’s Grand Theatre.

Madeleine has been acting for several years and has landed the role of Dandy Dan in this weekend’s production of Bugsy Malone at the Ribble Valley theatre.

She said: “I love acting. I’ve attended Backstage Pass for five years and I’m really looking forward to the Bugsy production. It is a lot of fun.”

The mean streets of New York is the setting for the Grand Theatre’s production of Alan Parker’s hit musical Bugsy Malone.

And it promises to be a summer blockbuster, with the talented cast all drawn from the theatre’s performing arts school.

Bugsy is a smooth-talking, penniless boxing promoter with a heart of gold who finds himself tangled up in a world of gangsters and custard shooting splurge guns in 1920’s New York.

With Fat Sam and his rival Dandy Dan, they fight a turf war in the lower east side of Manhattan.

Sarah Crackles, who has helped produce the theatre’s version of Bugsy, said “It is a huge moment for the kids, they’ve worked incredibly hard and they’re very excited.

“There’s so much energy and verve in this production of Bugsy and I’m sure everybody who comes along will enjoy the experience because it is a fun musical enjoyed by all generations.”

Sarah, who took up her stage directing role at the Grand last year, added: “Rather than tutoring the children in the theory of acting in the classroom, we’ve done everything on the stage and for some of them it is the first time they’ve worked in that environment all the time.

“The roles in the play have really challenged them, but they’ve come out with flying colours.

“It is also a great way to showcase their talent. I know many of them are keen to find a way into an acting career and something like this can create a real opportunity for them.

“It is also a great incentive for promoting their own talents as well.”

Sarah is no stranger to the story of the comic gangsters after directing Bugsy at an international school in Moscow.

Ten-year-old Cameron Bate from Whalley Primary School plays Bugsy and 13-year-old Betty Ward from St Augustine’s, Billington, takes the part of Fat Sam.

Bugsy Malone at the Grand. July 6 and 7. £6/£3. Free under 12s. 
Call 01200 421599 or pay on the door. Saturday (12.15pm) and Sunday 6pm.