Join the Usual Suspects at The Mayflower

The 10 to 18-year-olds take to the stage in Bugsy Malone in front of a close to sell out audience for three shows next week, the opening of the new autumn season following summer closure for building work on the theatre’s new foyer.

There’s 1930s style as chief executive Michael Ockwell directs The Mayflower’s first summer youth project.

Taking the lead as Bugsy is 16-year-old Chance Perdomo(below), whose previous stage experience has been limited to a Redbridge Community School production he helped write at Theatre Royal Winchester.

Taking a break from rehearsals, he said: “I couldn’t believe it when I got the part – I would have screamed but I was just numb at that point. I just asked if I could call my Mum and we both screamed a lot down the phone!

“Rehearsals have been really tough, at the moment I just go home, have dinner and pass out. I’m up for it though – it’s been brilliant, I love it, this is what I want to do with my life.

This is for me and hopefully this is just the beginning.”

Join Fat Sam, who runs one of the most popular speakeasies in town, as he fights to stop his ‘business rival’ Dandy Dan from closing his speakeasy down. Enter baby-faced Bugsy Malone, a killer with the ladies and a definite asset to Fat Sam.

Unfortunately, Bugsy has also caught the eye of Sam’s girlfriend Tallulah – though he’s set his designs on the showgirl Blousey Brown. A joy to watch and even better to be involved in – 1930's style comes to The Mayflower with dance routines and lots of splurge!

• Limited tickets for the shows, on Friday August 30 and Saturday August 31, are on sale now. Click here>>