Annie

Cast:- Annie-Annie Knox;  Warbucks- Paul MacDonald; Grace- Daisy Mackie; Miss Hannigan – Katie Rough; Rooster- Tom Barclay; Lily- Catherine Bain; orphans Molly- Isla Paton, Tessie- Elise McGinn, Duffy- Susan Mackie, Pepper- Lisa Bain, Kate-Alana Robertson’ July- Rebecca Miller; Drake – Owen Watkins; Roosevelt- Struan Duncan; Harold Ikes- Josh Cunningham; Henry Morganthau/ Lt. Ward- Orla Mayling; Francis Perkins- Grace Mackie; Kaltenborn- Fraser Preston; Star-to- Be –Amy Wilson; Sophie – Abbie Boles; Bert Healy- Gregor McLean and the Boylan Sisters- Rosie Crawford, Molly Fraser, Rona Miller/ Grace Mackie (Sat)

Another tasty offering delivered from the talented youngsters of LAMP Children’s Theatre.  The whole show was a delight to watch as the cast displayed their commitment and discipline in principal and chorus roles alike. Annie looked and acted the feisty character the role demands with a wealth of nuances and facial expressions, engaging the audience from start to finish and in command of each scene. Equally at home in her role was Miss Hannigan who gave us the brash embittered character demented by the demands of the job yet who  managed to eke out sympathy for her at the end.  Singing ‘Little Girls’ with feeling and inter-reacting with her brother Rooster and girlfriend Lily, she never let her character slip. Their ‘Easy Street’ number was first class. Rooster displayed a likeable but devious conniver and was well matched with his floozy Lily. Grace, the secretary to the billionaire Warbucks made her own role a contrast to these with her gentle and caring composure and sweet voice while Daddy Warbucks created a good balance between his business ruthlessness and the caring defender of Annie who pierced that hard armour.  The orphans, Little Mollie, Tessie, Duffy, Pepper and Kate,  were good mates for Annie and kept Miss Hannigan on her toes (or theirs on hers!) , Drake the butler created his own upright persona and the President  gave a good likeness to Roosevelt.  The Boylan sisters harmonised beautifully and with Bert Healey created their own bit of fun.  The Star-to-Be made her mark. The big numbers for the cast like ‘Hard Knock Life’ and ’Hooverville’ showed the strength and diversity of singing.  On my night’s attendance, congratulations to Assistant Director Hannah Easton who sang so ably for the throat infected principal who in turn mimed so well that I doubt the audience noticed.  The choreography was slick and each number closed with a nicely orchestrated tableau.  This was a good sounding, well -staged, well-cast, well-dressed and well-moved production which deserved all the plaudits from the audience.  Congratulations all round. 

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