the New Community Arts Academy is stepping back to Prohibition-era Chicago to stage Bugsy Malone.

Loosely based on events in the city in the 1920s, the fun musical is famed for being entirely performed by children.

It hit the big screen with Alan Parker’s 1976 debut movie starring a 13-year-old Jodie Foster and has been a favourite with stage schools ever since.

Set largely in Fat Sam’s speakeasy, the scene of big song-and-dance numbers, the show focuses on the exploits of gangsters like Al Capone and Bugs Moran, only with mobsters struck by rapid-fire custard-shooting ‘splurge guns’. Once splurged, a kid is “all washed up” and his career in crime is over.

“It’s a great fun show. The children have really enjoyed rehearsals,” says director Russell Whittingham.

He adds: “We’re branching out and have launched a casting agency for young people, called Special Stars.

“We’ve already had interest from film-makers and we’re hoping this production will raise our profile even further.”

Sponsored by Towngate Fisheries in Idle, Bugsy Malone runs at Bolton St James’s Church Hall, Beaufort Grove, off Bolton Road, Bradford, next Thursday and Friday at 7pm, and on Saturday, July 14, at 1pm and 5pm.

For tickets, or more information about Special Stars, ring (01274) 618148 or visit tncaa.com.