Annie

Although ‘Annie’ was first presented on Broadway in 1977 (a mere 35 years ago) it has worked its way into many of the hearts of many musical theatre devotees and has become a firm favourite with audiences and is therefore a potential box office winner for amateur musical clubs and societies.
Your set designer cleverly thought ‘outside the box’ and came up with ‘less is more’...innovative designs for scenery. Congratulations to the design and building team. The lighting was good and the sound was excellent, I could hear every word. The costumes were mostly good, and worn well by the performers, although the down and outs in ‘Hooverville’ were far too well heeled, and in Warbucks Mansion, the uniforms of the staff would have been more uniform. Annie’s outfits were a delight and absolutely spot on. Make up and wigs were very good.
The Music was good, a small combo worked well and the accompanist was extremely accomplished. The company and soloist were very well rehearsed by the MD/director and spot on with their singing entrances and exits. He had obviously put a lot of thought to this production. The decision to use more Minis and Juniors in the act 1 orphanage scenes worked well, they were an ‘Ah factor’ addition and they completed the scenes unobtrusively, in fact in ‘Little Girls’ they were a positive asset This was team work at its best, very well done. The limited choreography worked well.The casting was impressive, no weak links at all! The cameo roles e.g. Drake and the ladies of the house hold were very good indeed. Indeed all the one liners came over well in Hooverville, NYC, and N.B.C. Radio Station. The company work was excellent; each was confident and contributed to the high standard of this show.
Annie - What a young trooper! Can sing, can dance, can act and with the cheekiest of comic timing and a winning smile... perfect casting, very well done. The 6 principal orphans - were all very good; performing with enviable ease, talent and enthusiasm... adults take note!
Miss Hannigan - Without doubt one of the best Miss Hannigans’ I have seen. So often over acted and screamed, this performance was beautifully timed and modulated and was comic and pathetic in turns, I loved it.
Grace Farrell - You epitomised Grace Farrell to me, with a lovely smile and soft touches, lovely singing too, very well done.
Oliver Warbucks - You looked the part and played with conviction. ‘Something was missing’ was delightful... but you were at a disadvantage... ‘never act with children and animals’, a lovely warm performance, well done.
Rooster and Lily -Two good performances from two talented performers, comic timing was good, your accents were excellent and you worked together very well. Well done. Roosevelt - A nicely portrayed character.... loved the White House scene, you had real authority.
This was a classic show done very well, accurate both to the script and musically, or did I detect the odd extra line here and there, if so they actually they added to the fun. Very Well done

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