Annie

This show has one major irredeemable flaw: it started life as an American cartoon and was made into an extremely successful musical film.  By its very nature it is inappropriate for creative innovation and the audience arrives with certain irrefutable expectations.  The audience also arrives with no understanding of the Americanisms which are the bulwark of the humour.  This means that those of us who do understand the gags and are caught laughing at them are looked at by our fellow theatregoers as being from some other planet: Yes, the planet USA in the 1930s.  So it was hat’s off to BMCDS for getting such a lively laugh from the audience with the reference to the government works to reduce unemployment building a wall.  Fortunately the story is so well loved that the lack of “good laughs” does not reduce the audience’s enjoyment. 

This production certainly proved popular with the Barnstaple audiences.   With excellent houses and rapturous receptions the “feel good” nature of this show works both ways.  There was excellent team-work on stage particularly obvious between Annie’s fellow orphans, and the Hannigan Trio.   One scene to benefit from this unifying approach was the Hoovervilles.  Rarely is this scene so well played.  Dialogue clearly delivered, characters recognisable without exaggeration and a pace which never dropped. 

Daddy Warbuck’s house was appropriately huge.  Direction and choreography did not fall into the trap of trying to fill this space, but when required every inch was put to good use.  Particularly impressive was the easy use of the staircases.  Unfortunately the very nature of the hired set meant that the furniture was stuck upstage.  This proved particularly difficult in any scene requiring the use of the telephone.  From our position in the circle some characters were frequently obscured by lanterns & speakers.  With so many servants at his disposal surely Mr. Warbucks could have organised for the furniture to be moved into position where all could see what was going on.  If characters are obscured by “restricted view” the audience loses interest in what they are saying.  Not choosing to have faffy set changes is admirable this was a result of good intentions and the director being on stage?  In fact, the presentation ran seamlessly with changes well organised and quickly operated.

The show was enhanced by a very good band.  Playing well together and sympathetic to the cast, the various moods were assisted by well judged speeds and fascinating colouring.  Everything was held well together and where appropriate a real fizz was engendered, 

Visually the presentation was excellent.  The many different styles were well represented and, in general, people wore the clothes as if used to them.  The major company scenes were nicely co-ordinated and period and class were well considered.  Likewise properties suggested the right period and the whole was lit emphasising the atmosphere of the various settings.  Sound enhancement was extremely good.  The actors spoke with clear diction and despite the American accents good articulation.  The sound department made sure this was brought to you without excess of bass and naturalness. 

All the characters were well defined within the script’s demands and played with excellent commitment.  The stars, of course, were the orphans who had been well rehearsed and brought their distinctive characters to the fore.  They made a good sound, moved well together and appeared to be having fun (even scrubbing the floors).  This infectious enthusiasm certainly crossed the footlights.  The scene at the Radio Station was well played.  This can become over bloated as it is the only chance some actors get to shine, but it was all held in check and therefore amusing and the story remained clear.  The major company numbers were well staged.  They provide bright interludes in the story and they were given the appropriate sparkle, culminating in an exciting finale.

Being a show which is very familiar to audiences and cast alike, “Annie” can direct itself, and consequently be quite straight-forward and ragged.  There was no sign of that in this production, despite the lack of good laughs.  As usual BMCDS put together a well polished presentation which was thoroughly enjoyed by young and old in the audience.

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