THE stage at Barrow's Forum 29 was transformed into Fat Sam's Grand Slam Speakeasy in 1993 as youngsters brought a popular stage show to life.

The Mail, on October 16, noted: "Walney Junior Amateur Operatic Society presents the top favourite musical Bugsy Malone.

"A suitably young cast includes Ben Montague, Karen Shaw, Ben Taylor, Stephen Hughes, Camillle Maalawy, Andrew Phipps-Jones and Stephanie Barker.

"They play those wonderful characters Bugsy, Blousey Brown, Dandy Dan, Fat Sam, Tallulah, Fizzy and Bangles.

"Dancing girls, gangsters, policemen and newspaper reporters, a chorus of down and outs and some would-be boxers will all be on stage as the spoof tale of two rival gangs of mobsters unfolds."

The two rival gangs in Bugsy Malone had some memorable names.

Knuckles, Angelo, Ritzy, Louis and Snake Eyes came up against Doodle, Bronx Charlie, Laughing Boy, Shoulders, Benny Lee and Yonkers.

Taking those roles included Tom McGinty, Darren Wright and Marc Smith.

In the interval you could enjoy a glass of new non-alcoholic drink called Bugsy Magic — which was a mix of fresh orange juice, lemonade and blue colouring — dreamed up by Aaron Gelling, aged six.

There was a last-minute hitch when Leroy the boxer — Robert France — broke his foot at the dress rehearsal the night before the show started at Barrow's Forum 28.

He was still able to take part in the show but not as Leroy — as a safety precaution as the stage was covered in slippy splurge and flour.

Two cars made for the Forum show by Kevin Sharrock were later put up for sale.

They were eventually snapped up by the Blackpool and Fylde Stage Academy for its own production of Bugsy Malone to be staged at Blackpool Grand Theatre.