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PHOENIX PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS
BUGSY MALONE 6TH - 9TH AUGUST 2014 THE PREMIER HALL
Director/Choreographer: Mary McDonagh Ass. Director/Choreographer: Steffen Jorgensen Musical Director: David Wray Producer: Gerard O' Brien Production Manager: Eamonn B. Shanahan Lighting Designer: Gerry Taylor Set Designer: John O' Donoghue Stage Manager: Allan Butler Sound: Star Systems Written by Alan Parker Music by Paul Williams By Kind Permission of Boosey & Hawkes
PRODUCTION TEAM
working in theatre, film, television and the music industry.
MARY MCDONAGH
DIRECTOR/CHOREOGRAPHER Trained at the Nesta Brooking School of Ballet in London and worked as a dancer and actress. Television credits include RTE, BBC and UTV. Mary now works extensively in theatre, and the music industry in Ireland and Europe as Director and Choreographer. She is founder and Co-Artistic Director and Choreographer with Storm Dance Company. She is also Artistic Director and Principal Teacher at the Chapel Lane School of the Performing Arts, of which a large number of students are currently
Mary is founder/Director of The Fun Company of which she is very proud and which funds talented students from all genres of the entertainment world to undertake full time professional dance and theatre training. Recent credits include, A Tale of Two Cities, Crazy for You, 42nd Street, Chess, Jekyll & Hyde, Witches of Eastwick, Beauty & The Beast, Oliver!, Les MisĂŠrables, CATS, All Shook Up, Oklahoma! and Jesus Christ Superstar. For Lyric Opera she choreographed Aida, Rusalka, The Marriage of Figaro, HMS Pinafore and The Mikado and H.M.S Pinafore for The Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company, (UK). Mary is also Entertainments Director at the world famous Bunratty Castle. Multi-award winner Mary also coaches professional dancers and in this respect has worked throughout Europe and as far afield as Japan.
'I won't take no for an answer, i was born to be a dancer now!'
DAVID WRAY
MUSICAL DIRECTOR David Wray trained at Lancaster University and the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, London . He has since worked as a pianist, musical director, arranger and Producer in the fields of Opera and Music Theatre. He was assistant to the director of The English Bach Festival, London, for three years with whom he appeared in many pro ductions at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden and throughout Europe. For this company he was Musical Director for productions of Dido and Aeneas (Queen Elizabeth Hall, London) and Handel’s Acis and Galatea (QEH, London and Barcelona, Festival di Peralda), In Ireland he has been a repetiteur for seaons with Wexford Festival Opera and Dublin Grand Opera Society and has worked as a freelance vocal coach and accompanist with many appearances on RTE radio and TV. David has been Musical Director for numerous productions in Ireland and beyond. In 1998 David, as producer and musical director, formed a new company Music Theatre Ireland. Their productions have included The Great American Songwriters Series (NCH, Dublin), Noel and Gertie (Opera Fringe Northern
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Ireland), A New York Songbook (Irish National Tour), Simply Sondheim (BBC N.I. recording/Liberty Hall Theatre, Dublin) and Irish Premieres of Songs for a New World (Pavilion Theatre, Dub lin), I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change (Andrews Lane Theatre, Dublin) ‘The Last Five Years’(Pavilion Theatre, Dublin.) ‘Listen To My Heart:The Songs of David Friedman’ (Smock Alley Theatre, Dublin) David became Artistic & Musical Director for Opera in the Open in 2000. The company is now in its 14th season, presenting a programme of five abridged operas every August at Wood Quay, Dublin for Dublin City Council. Last year there was a special performance of ‘Turandot’ to mark the Chinese New Year. To commemorate its 10th Anniversary a CD of operatic highlights was produced to critical acclaim. He is also Musical Director for The Three Irish Tenors, The Irish Sopranos and Druid - a new male vocal ensemble. With these has toured the USA and in Europe and Far East. David has arranged and orchestrated a number of CDs (for various artists) and Projects. Recent writing credits include orchestrations and arrangements for Cork Opera House’s acclaimed pro duction of Bryan Flynn’s ‘Michael Collins’ seen both in Cork Opera House and the Olympia Theatre, Dublin and a new Album for SImon Morgan (I’ll Be Seeing You) recorded in Prague with the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra and an album of 1940s French music for chanteuse Derby Browne (Pigalle).
again to Lisheen Mine whose dedication to the local community appears to have no limits. To our most generous nightly sponsors we are most grateful. They deserve our support in all their endeavours.
GERARD O' BRIEN PRODUCER
Good evening ladies and gentlemen and welcome to Prohibition Time in the United States with mobsters, speakeasys, flapper dresses and vintage slapstick! Bugsy Malone is a completely new departure for this new and enthusiastic group of talented young people. The epic shows of Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera have been abandoned for comedy, custard pies and not so effective criminals. As always huge thanks to our hard working committee without whom the show would not take place. Led by the inimitable Mary Blake, the committee lends support and guidance in so many ways.
A special welcome to our new Director/ Choreographer Mary McDonagh and her incredible assistant Steffen Jorgensen for their contribution to a show that we all hope you enjoy as much as we have. As always we at Phoenix Productions remain humbled and ever grateful for the quiet professionalism of our Musical Director David Wray, Lighting Designer, Gerry Taylor, Stage Designer, John O’ Donoghue and Stage Manager, Allan Butler. We wish our Production Manager Eamonn Shanahan the greatest of luck as he embarks on his big London adventure in September. His work on behalf of the company has been remarkable, to say the least. Finally, as Producer I would like to thank the cast of young people of Phoenix that have picked up the baton and continue to run with the spirit of Phoenix and maintain pressure to put together a production of which we can all be proud.
A hearty thank you once
'You Give a Little Love and it all comes back to you'
Best Wishes to Phoenix Productions with
BUGSY MALONE
Slievenamon Rd, Thurles, Co. Tipperary Phone:(0504) 21800
Italy) Independent Ballet Wales and has danced in practically all the Classical and Contemporary repertoire.
STEFFEN JORGENSEN
ASS. DIRECTOR/CHOREOGRAPHER Steffen was born in Alborg, Denmark but grew up in Ireland. He trained at Central school of Ballet in London and has as a dancer worked with Wiener Ballet Theatre (Switzerland), PACT Ballet (South Africa) Kai Ballet ( Tokyo) Maurice Bejart and Sylvie Guillem (London and
EAMONN B. SHANAHAN PRODUCTION MANAGER
Eamonn is delighted to be working with Phoenix this year for the first time off stage. Eamonn joined Phoenix in 2007 for Seussical the Musical and has been heavily involved since. He has just graduated from the Crawford College of Art & Design and is set to begin his MA in Creative Production at London's Royal Central School of Speech & Drama in October. During his time in Cork, Eamonn engaged greatly in the theatre scene. Credits as Artistic Director include 'Tick, Tick Boom!', 'A New Brain' & 'Into the Woods'
Steffen currently teaches Classical ballet, contemporary and Jazz at Chapel Lane School of the Performing Arts and Co Directs and Choreographs for The Sligo Fun company. Credits include Les Miserables, Cats, All shook up, Jesus Christ Superstar. Steffen works with Mary McDonagh also on a number of Operas Marriage of Figaro ( Galway Arts Festival) Aida ( Lyric Opera) Rusalka (Lyric Opera). Steffen is delighted to be working with Phoenix productions.
with CIT Musical Society. In 2013 Eamonn directed an independant collaborative arts exhibition that was awarded 4 Stars from the Irish Examiner. Following this successful event he chaired the Crawford College of Art & Design 2014 Degree Show, also awarded 4 Stars from the Irish Examiner in which featured his graduate short film entitled 'Workspace'. The film will begin its' National Tour at the Source Arts Centre, Thurles on the 3rd of September. As a graphic designer and photographer, Eamonn has worked with Bryan Flynn, The Irish College of Music Theatre, Killian Collins and Dublin City Council's Opera in the Open. He has also been commissioned to do music videos for The Key Notes, Derby Browne and Celtic Woman's, Lisa Lambe. All due to be released in the Autumn. Eamonn is so proud of the cast of Bugsy Malone and hopes you all enjoy the show.
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JOHN O' DONOGHUE SET DESIGNER
John is a graduate of the National College of Art & Design. Recent design credits include On The Razzle for Garter Lane, The Witches of Eastwick (Wexford Opera House), RENT (The Helix), The Sound of Music (National Concert Hall), Jerry Springer: The Opera (Bord Gáis Energy Theatre), The Promise (The Helix), Mack & Mabel (Millbank Theatre & Landskrona Theatre, Sweden). Other designs include Eoin Colfer’s Lords of Love, Stephen Sondheim’s Follies and the Irish première of The Producers (Wexford Opera House), Ritual for Dolls (Mill Theatre), The
''fat sam's ain't humble, but it's your home-sweet-home Who’s Tommy (Civic Theatre), Frozen (Millbank Theatre), A Tribute To Patsy Cline (Pat Egan Productions), Assassins (Samuel Beck- ett Theatre), Camelot, South Pacific, Annie (NCH), Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (Mill Theatre), The Full Monty (Olympia Theatre and Irish Tour), Seagulls Dance (Draíocht), Bugsy Malone (Olympia Theatre), Singin’ in the Rain (Olympia Theatre and Everyman Palace), The Pirates of Penzance (The Helix), The Great Waltz, Gigi, Guys and Dolls and My Fair Lady (Gaiety Theatre). For Cork Opera House John designed Hamlet and The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. Opera credits include La Traviata and La Bohème for Lyric Opera, and The Marriage of Figaro for An Taibhdhearc.
since 2010. Allan congratulates Phoenix Productions for taking on this production in its 16th year. He hopes that Phoenix will continue to take on such challenging projects into the future.
ALLAN BUTLER STAGE MANAGER
Allan Butler has been involved in Phoenix Productions since 2008. Even at that juncture, he was very keen to get involved with stage construction and design. He has been Stage Manager
He is absolutely delighted, once again, to take on the role of Stage Manager for this year’s production of Bugsy Malone. The construction of this year’s set and management of the stage has been a very different experience because of the type of show. He has enjoyed every minute of working with the production team, cast and crew of Bugsy Malone and would like to wish all involved a highly successful run over the coming nights!
the cast in order of appearance
Roxy Robinson – Fionn McCartan Bugsy – Diarmaid Meagher Bronx Charlie – Jamie Stapleton Shoulders – Darragh Byrne Benny Lee – Tomás Caffrey Laughing Boy – Michael Dillon Undertaker 1 – Ciaran Taaffe Undertaker 2 – Dominic Taaffe Violinist – Emma O’ Dwyer Barber – Oisin Kenny Flash Frankie – Jonathan Strapp Pop Becker – Chara Brophy Doodle – Tomás Caffrey Fat Sam – Bill Purcell Knuckles – Loughlin Russell Paper-Girl – Emer Byrne Radio Announcer – Katie Taylor Ritzy – Oisin Kenny Angelo – Ciaran Taaffe Louis – Cameron Kelly Snake Eyes – Dominic Taaffe Baby Face – Philip Ryan Fizzy – Gavin Murphy Blousey – Emer Carew Waitress – Ailish Layden Louella – Chara Brophy
Dandy Dan – Daniel Matthews Cellist – Holly O’ Dwyer Butler/Maid – Gráinne Flemming Tallulah – Maeve Carew Tillie – Megan Long Loretta – Naomi Ryan Dotty – Grace Dillon Bangles – Áine Dunne Velma – Cashadh Lyons Velia – Elaine Hayes Oscar De Velt – Cameron Kelly Clipboard Millie - Rebecca Ryan Marbini – Jonathan Strapp Ballet Dancer – Gráinne Fleming Lena – Katie Taylor O’ Dreary – Darragh Byrne Smolsky – Jamie Stapleton Suzzy Scoup - Rachel Butler Soundwoman – Clíona Martin Shady – Fionn McCartan Looney Bergonzi – Ciaran Taaffe Leroy – Tomás Caffrey Cagey Joe – Fionn McCartan Barman Joe – Dominic Taaffe Waitress - Leah Hassett
musical numbers ACT ONE: Overture Bugsy Malone Fat Sam's Grand Slam That's Why They Call Him Dandy Dan Tomorrow Show Business Bad Guys I'm Feeling Fine Bugsy Malone (Reprise)
ACT TWO: Entract My Name is Tallulah So You Wanna be a Boxer Ordinary Fool Down and Out Fat Sam's Grand Slam (Reprise) You Give a Little Love Finale
PRODUCTION TEAM
Producer - Gerard O' Brien Director/Choreographer - Mary McDonagh Associate Director/Choreographer - Steffen Jorgensen Musical Director - David Wray Production Manager - Eamonn B. Shanahan Set Designer - John O' Donoghue Stage Manager - Allan Butler Lighting - Gerry Taylor Sound - Star Systems Props - Grace Dillon Rehearsal Pianist - Mary Rose McNally Assistant Stage Manager - Ryan Grace Graphic Designer/PR - Eamonn B. Make-Up: Shanahan Mary Darmody Yvonne Hughes PR Committee: Kayrn Clohessy Gavin Murphy, Loughlin Russell Dymphna Purcell Sally Willoughby Box Office - Siobhรกn King Tickets - Judy King Front of House: Thurles Lions Club Costumes: Derek O' Connell Michele Walsh Michael Blake Katherine Fitzgibbon Jody Brolan Arthur Griffin. Hair: Sweeney Todd's Barbers Committee: Danny Connors & Team Mary Blake - Chairperson Anita McKenna Eamonn B. Shanahan Mary Murphy Siobhรกn King Don Cunningham Billy O' Dwyer Anne Strapp Gerard O' Brien
ACT ONE SYNOPSIS
As the musical opens, Bugsy Malone, who's neither completely honest nor crooked, ushers us through his neighbourhood where three murders have just occurred ("Bugsy Malone"). Bugsy winds up at the local speakeasy, owned by gangster boss Fat Sam ("Fat Sam's Grand Slam"). As it turns out, one of those murders was that of Roxy "the Weasel" Robinson – one of Fat Sam's best men. An enraged Fat Sam, vows revenge on Dandy Dan whose henchman carried out the hit. Meanwhile, Bugsy's been chatting up Blousey Brown, the new girl in town who's come to audition for Fat Sam's club; but Fat Sam has given her the brush off (as he does to everyone) and tells her to come back tomorrow. Bugsy takes Blousey for dinner and she tells him she is going to audition for the Lena Marelli show as well. Just as the mood turns romantic, however, Dandy Dan's men raid the club. Dandy Dan is determined to become the fashionable kingpin of the neighbourhood, bringing all the other gangs under his control ("That's Why They Call Him Dandy") using his newly fashioned weapon of choice – the Splurge "Mark 2" gun. Meanwhile, back at the Fat Sam's speakeasy they are closing up shop. Fat Sam and his girl, Tallulah (the entertainment at his club), are preparing to go out on the town. Fizzy, the janitor, sings about his ever-elusive chance to audition for Fat Sam ("Tomorrow"). Next, there are auditions for the Lena Marelli show. Lena (as she does every week) has quit, and Oscar de Velt is trying to cast a replacement. Just as Blousey takes the stage to sing, however, Lena returns (as she does every week) and takes the stage ("Show Business"). Bugsy tries to cheer a dejected Blousey
up and promises to talk to Fat Sam about getting her a proper audition for his club. Back at Fat Sam's speakeasy, where Fat Sam and his gang are getting nervous about Dandy Dan's new initiative. ("Bad Guys") Fat Sam fears his gang is behind the times. They need to upgrade their weapons; so he contacts Shady, a Chinese laundry man, who locates a stash of "splurge guns;" but, Shady is a two-timer that has been paid off by Dandy Dan to lure Fat Sam's gang into a trap. Upon retrieving the guns, however, Fat Sam's gang is wiped out. Fat Sam and Knuckles (his right hand man) are panicking now, but determined to "act normal" as they try to figure out what to do. Just then, Blousey arrives to audition. Instead of turning her away, however, they ask her to wait – they'll be right with her. They decide to enlist the help of the murdering lunatic Looney Bergonzi and arrange a meeting with Dandy Dan. At the club, Tallulah is putting the moves on Bugsy as Fat Sam and Knuckles arrive to audition Blousey, who walks in just as Tallulah plants a big smooch right on Bugsy ("I'm Feeling Fine"). Blousey books the gig and Fat Sam offers Bugsy $200 to drive him to his meeting with Dandy Dan. Back at the girls' dressing room, Bugsy tries to reconcile with an angry Blousey who remains unconvinced of Bugsy’s intentions. In the next scene, Fat Sam and Dandy Dan confront each other. But just as Fat Sam reveals his secret weapon, Looney Bergonzi, Dan's gang emerges from the trees and "splurges" him. Bugsy grabs Fat Sam and they escape. Grateful, Fat Sam gives him an extra $100 for being quick on his feet and tells him to get a new suit ("Bugsy Malone" reprise).
ACT TWO SYNOPSIS
As the second act opens, we're at Fat Sam's and Tallulah is rehearsing her number ("My Name Is Tallulah"). Having earned his money and the loan of Fat Sam's snazzy car, Bugsy calls on Blousey to take her out on a date. He tells her he wants to use the cash to buy them two tickets to Hollywood. She agrees to go with great delight. ("I'm Feeling Fine" reprise). Meanwhile, Fat Sam has fashioned his own "splurge gun," but the gun misfires and it kills his main man, Knuckles. In an additional bit of bad luck, Bugsy is jumped by some thugs who steal his hard won $200. Leroy, a stranger who happens to be walking by, beats off the thugs. Bugsy is impressed by his punching skill; and although he is $200 poorer, he has found his first boxing client and proclaims himself Leroy's manager. Bugsy takes Leroy to meet Cagey Joe who determines that Leroy has what it takes to be a champion ("So You Wanna be a Boxer"). Poor Fat Sam's luck has turned from bad to worse when he gets a phone call that Dandy Dan has destroyed his hooch stills and taken over his grocery racket. He sends Tallulah to ask Bugsy for help. She finds him waiting for Blousey, when she says he'll be handsomely rewarded for his help, Bugsy decides to assist. Fat Sam offers him $400 to help him save what's left of his empire and Bugsy agrees. Just then, Blousey calls. She's been waiting for him for an hour to catch a train to Hollywood. He tells her Hollywood's going to have to wait – he has business to attend to. Blousey is heartbroken ("Ordinary Fool"). Dejected, she returns to Fat Sam's to get her job back. Bugsy enlists the help of Leroy, the
wanna-be prize fighter, to take care of Dandy Dan once and for all. They arrive at the centre of Dan's gun running operation "Splurge Imports" only to find they are severely outnumbered. Just then they come across a group of "down and outs" waiting in a soup line. Together, Bugsy and Leroy convince them to be their ad-hoc army ("Down and Out"). They distract the guards, and storm the warehouse only to be surrounded by the police. Fortunately, they find a secret escape and leave the police holding their hats. They arrive back to Fat Sam's just in time for the show down with Dandy Dan's gang. Bugsy presents Blousey with their two tickets to Hollywood and everyone tries to "act normal" as they wait for the rumble ("Fat Sam's Grand Slam" reprise). Immediately, however, Dan and his henchman arrive and the stage explodes into a pitched battle of splurge guns and custard pies to save Sam's club. After all the mayhem Bugsy becomes peacemaker and convinces them all that there is a better way. ("You Give A Little Love").
the cast
Fat Sam Bill Purcell
Bugsy Malone Diarmaid Meagher
Dandy Dan Daniel Matthews
Tallulah Maeve Carew
Fizzy Gavin Murphy
Blousey Emer Carew
/
the cast
Lena Katie Taylor
Smolsky Jamie Stapleton
O' Dreary Darragh Byrne
Knuckles Loughlin Russell
Cagey Joe Fionn McCartan
Oscar de Velt Cameron Kelly
Leroy Tomรกs Caffrey
Thurles Shopping Centre T: +353 504 23772 F: +353 504 23506 E: info@thegiftrooms.com W: www.thegiftrooms.com
the cast
DANDY ANG DAN'S G
FAT SAM 'S GANG
TALLULAH'S GIRLS
Best Wishes to Phoenix Productions with
Bugsy Malone
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS THANK YOU
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THANK YOU
PATRONS & FRIENDS
Phoenix Productions is delighted and honoured to have been the recipient of very generous sponsorship from the Lisheen Mine. Without their support and that of our other sponsors, Phoenix simply could not function.
Thurles Greyhound Stadium Ann Hogan Scoil Ailbhe Miriam Butler Easons Thomas F. Griffin & Co., Solicitors Hanafin’s Floor and Furnishings Gerard O Brien, Solicitors Tipperary County Council Thurles Wholesale Cash & Carry Dew Valley Meats Melanie Scott, Arts Officer Tipp FM Hayes Hotel Cooleeny Cheese Thurles Lions Club Eamonn & Francis Glasheen McKevitt’s Costcutters The Monks Judy King Star Systems Archbishop Dr. Dermot Clifford Ursuline Community Brídann Molony Scoil Angela Presentation Community Thurles Parish Centre Mary Rose McNally McLochlainn Roadmarkings Sweeney Todds Barbers Charlie Maher and staff of the Premier Hall Ryan Brothers John Lambe Sigma Consultancy
We in Phoenix Productions are delighted once again to have received such wonderful encouragement and assistance from the local community. Many thanks again to Ms Miriam Butler, Principal, Scoil Ailbhe, Primary School for their unbelievable generosity in giving us the use of the school for countless rehearsals in 2013/14. Special thanks to Noel Dundon of the Tipperary Star for all his help in publicising and advertising Bugsy Malone. We must also acknowledge Tipp FM and Geraldine Henchion for their wonderful assistance in publicising this event.
BUGSY MALONE 2014
,