AUDIENCES will be transported back to 1920s Chicago for Helmsley Art Centre's latest production.

Bugsy Malone is the next upcoming musical for the 1812 Youth Theatre directed by Natasha Jones and Florrie Stockbridge, so be prepared for speak-easies, gangsters and of course splurge.

The cast and crew of 50 are aged between nine and 17 and are all budding actors, actresses and stage technicians and have been working hard on this production all year. Four members of the technical team are in training at the minute under Steve Woolmer’s management as tech manager at the Arts Centre. This is part of a scheme funded by Ryedale District Council in order to get more young people into careers in the arts with a trade behind them. The group of young technicians also experience life as part of the crew with other performances staged at Helmsley Arts Centre and are an asset to the shows held there.

Bugsy Malone is already proving a box office hit so far and tickets are selling fast. The production is based on events that occur in the early 1920s through to 1931 during prohibition and features live music by pianist Tim Brooks and music and dance performed by the youth theatre themselves. Bugsy Malone is at Helmsley Arts Centre from Thursday, March 30 to Sunday, April 2.

Tickets can be bought online at www.helmsleyarts.co.uk/whats-on/1812-youth-theatre-bugsy-malone or from the box office on 01439 771700.