Good Friday lunchtime and it was down to the Troxy in E1. Originally a cinema for over 3000 people in 1933, hosting international stars such as the Andrews Sisters, Gracie Fields and Clark Gable, with its floodlit organ, large sweeping staircase, chandeliers aplenty and floor to ceiling decorative mirrors, it was once more brought alive with the
Future Cinema's take on Alan Parker's Bugsy Malone production.
Future Cinema, the events company founded by Fabien Riggall in 2005, specialises in "bringing events to life through a unique fusion of film, improvised performances, detailed design and interactive multimedia". In other words, takes a great film and brings it to life through great event theming (as expected from an innovative events company) and in part, by offering the audience a dose of the unexpected.
Arriving at the Troxy, MLF was immediately caught up in the excitement of seeing hundreds of fellow families fully decked out in 1920s and 1930s gangster suits, dazzling flapper dresses, a flurry of boas and sparkling Mary-Janes.
The MLF Juniors were thrilled to be able to dress up and smother themselves in pearls, paste and sequins. And even more excited to see queues of like-minded children decked to the nines in pin-stripe gangster three-pieces.
In the bright sunshine and cold morning air, there was something rather decadent and exciting about heading mid morning into the unknown in full evening dress.
Entering via the Hung Fu Shin Laundry, a room strewn with white sheets and upturned laundry baskets with guns hidden about, MLF was quickly introduced to the glamorous Lena Morrelli and told that we were now officially part of the Dandy Dan clan, fierce enemy of Fat Sam.
After vowing to always be loyal to the "family", passing through Slugger's gym and boxing ring, we entered Fat Sam's Slam aka the Troxy, set up with vintage milkshake stands, gambling tables, dancing girls and a wonderful live jazz band on the stage.
The Troxy itself is the perfect venue for this event - both grand and authentic. Completely furnished as a late supper jazz club, there was a cocktail bar for the grown-ups as well as retro milkshake bar with vintage striped candy bags. There was even a balloonist at the back who was making black balloon Bugsy guns.
After a spot of lunch (Italian, of course), whilst enjoying live re-enactment of the most famous scenes of the film - and the ultimate what we were all waiting for - Tallulah's solo - the film commenced.
With plenty to do, MLF Juniors were free to sit and watch or wander around enjoying the milkshake and sweetie bar, the gaming tables or interacting with the cast of characters who were everywhere, whilst the MLF Seniors reminisced over cocktails, playing the "Wannabe" game - Dandy Dan or Fat Sam, Tallulah or the Grumpy Blousey (easy choice, that one) and "Guess Where Are They Now?"
Children, like their parents, everywhere looked like they were having a ball and living each scene.
However, it was the last scene that was the real highlight. After the kiss and make up of the two "families" at the end of the film, it was announced that there were plastic coats underneath each table.
Ladies adorned with big trays full of paper plates piled high with shaving foam passed around their arsenal generously. Yes, a huge almighty shaving foam fight ensued with the Bugsy Malone characters shooting everyone for good measure.
Brilliant fun.
The fabulous producers of the Future Cinema scored a 10 with their simultaneously glamorous, fun and messy transportation back to Bugsy Malone World.
Who would have thought it was mid afternoon on a Bank Holiday Friday?
MLF Highly Recommends
The Future Cinema presents Bugsy Malone continues until Sunday 29th April. Showings at 12.30.
