Bugsy Malone, one of the funniest children's films ever made, is currently being performed on stage by Whitehaven Theatre of Youth at the town's Civic Hall.

This is a tongue-in-cheek look at gang warfare in 1920s America, where two gangs comprised completely of children squaring off.

The professionalism and energy going into this show from children aged seven to 16 years is a joy to behold. The production team can be very proud of themselves indeed.

Parents, and relatives of these children will be bursting with pride when they see what I have seen tonight. The music, choreography and characterisation were pulled off beautifully.

Make no mistake, these kids have worked so hard and so have the team. The set is outstanding and ambitious but so is this technically difficult show. The costumes are fabulous, and the icing on the cake (or cream!) is the live band headed up Mike Ames.

Todd Bell as Bugsy; Natalie Hall as Blousey; Rachel Donnan as Tallulah; Olivia Buchanan as Fizzy and Izabelle Sloan as Fat Sam were all well cast as were all the main characters.

With so many people involved I don’t want to single anyone out, suffice to say that there is some serious talent and I was blown away by the beautiful singing.

This is a wonderful production that holds your attention right to the end. The show, directed by Maria Morton with choreography from Jude Henderson, builds to a superb finale and I would strongly urge people to come along and see it. Rose Finn.

CAST: James Redmond, Bailey Quigley, Stephanie Holburt, Ashton Quigley. Heather Smith, Aidan Brogden-White, Niamh Smith, Kerry Hammond, and Matilda Stamper.

Isabella Stamper, Anna-Louise Tyson, Max Doran, Lily Calvert and Jessica Reddon, Edward Kelly, Robbie Hawkins, Olivia Shackley, Sam Robson-Lloyd, Emily Murphy and Teddy King.

Oliver Blackwood. Nicole Crewdson, Grace Houghton, Carli-Anne Underwood, Evie Underwood, Freya Barnett, Lexi Calvert, Kelsey Proud, Erin Smith, Jasmine Bell, Lauren Crewdson, Mia Oakes, Courtney Robertson and Naila Udina

Stage manager, Dom Worsley; sound, Andrew Morton; costumes, Carmen Davidson, Anne Wilson and Tracey Oakes. Props, Fran Dougan.

Lights, Bootsy Richardson; photography, Bill Reddon and front of house, Mandy Worsley.

The band was conductor/keyboard, Mike Ames; bass/guitar, Jimmy Bell; drums/percussion, Jonathan Gash.

Frugal horn/french horn, Sarah Ames; clarinet/alto, saxophone/flute, Sue Ellis.

The production runs nightly at 7pm until Saturday, June 24, at Whitehaven Civic Hall. A matinee will also be held on Saturday at 2pm.