Bugsy Malone at the Lyric Hammersmith, Apr 2015

It has been announced that the Lyric Hammersmith will present the UK's first professional production of Bugsy Malone by Alan Parker and Paul Williams in over a decade, at their West London venue from 11 April to 1 August 2015.

The production will mark the Lyric Hammersmith's multi-million pound redevelopment following their 'Transitional Season' which has continued throughout the renovation providing a diverse range of performances for the west London community and beyond.

Bugsy Malone features a book by Alan Parker, who directed the 1976 film version which starred Scott Baio and Jodie Foster. It features music and lyrics by Paul Williams, and the score feature numbers such as 'Fat Sam's Grand Slam', 'My Name is Tallulah', 'Bad Guys' and 'Give a Little Love'.

The production will be directed by the venue's Artistic Director, Sean Holmes, and feature choreography by Drew McOnie. It will feature designs by Jon Bausor, musical direction by Phil Bateman, lighting design by James Farncombe and sound design by Ben Harrison.

Bugsy Malone is set in Prohibition era New York with rival gangsters Fat Sam and Dandy Dan at logger heads. As custard pies fly and Dan's destructive 'splurge guns' wreak havoc, Bugsy Malone, a penniless ex-boxer and all round nice guy, falls for Blousey Brown, an aspiring singer. Will Bugsy be able to resist seductive songstress Tallulah, Fat Sam's moll and Bugsy's old flame, and stay out of trouble while helping Fat Sam to defend his business?

Sean Holmes, Artistic Director of the Lyric Hammersmith and Director of Bugsy Malone said "Bugsy Malone feels like the perfect show with which to open the new Lyric. A work of leftfield genius with young people at its heart, it feels like the quintessential Lyric show: celebratory, inclusive and surprising."

Tickets for the production go on general sale on Friday 17 October 2014.