A TOUCH of Chicago comes to the Brewery next week as Queen Katherine School brings one of the most popular modern musicals to town.

Running at the Kendal arts centre from Monday, June 22 until Friday, June 26 (7pm), QKS stage Bugsy Malone, a stylish hit show loosely based on events from the early 1920s during the prohibition period.

Bugsy has a tip-top score and incisive dialogue by Paul Williams.

Director Alan Parker's inventive 1976 Bugsy Malone film was a massive success and featured only child actors (with singing voices provided by adults). It was Parker's debut as a film director, and starred actor Scott Baio - who later became famous playing the Fonz’s cousin, Chachi, in Happy Days - and a 13-year-old Jodie Foster. In fact, the entire cast were all under 17.

The story tells of Dandy Dan’s (played by QKS year nine student Alex Milburn) hoodlums who are terrorising the area, getting rid of anyone who happens to be in their way with their splurge guns. His rival Fat Sam (year nine student Thomas Johnson), owner of the most glamorous Speakeasy in town, is under attack from ruthless Dandy Dan and his gangsterettes and his empire is under threat. The only man Fat Sam can depend on is Bugsy, played by year 10 student Dan Jones, a washed-up stony-broke boxing promoter. But though he has a heart of gold, Bugsy is a lady’s man. And he’s fallen head over heels for Blousey Brown (year 10 student Ruth Brown), a smart-talking singer who has set her ambitious sights on Hollywood. Throw into the musical mix, Fat Sam’s girlfriend, Tallulah (year 12's Sophie Simpson), who designs on Bugsy, dancing girls galore, police officers, who would be hard pressed to arrest anyone, even if they confessed in front of them, a Chinese laundry, a boxing promoter, down and outs, the psychotic Looney Bergonzi and some talking trees - and you have all the ingredients for a highly entertaining show.

QKS's head of performing arts, Caroline Barber, said that Bugsy is a real feel good musical. She added: "In addition, it's full of roles for the students, which makes it ideal for a Queen Katherine cast as we've our normal huge cast to accommodate on stage. I've been overwhelmed by the fact that our last night sold out in less than a week of going on sale at the box office."

With head of music, Robert Shillitoe, directing the student-only band, there promises to be plenty of top-tapping tunes and audience singalongs.

Tickets are only available from the Brewery box office on 01539-725133.