Annie

I was warmly welcomed at Front of House when I arrived and had the opportunity to discuss the production with Ann Taylor and Maggie Walton during the interval.

This was a scintillating performance by this very talented group ! Jasmine Triadi, playing Annie, performed the role with enormous skill, singing, dancing and acting, all in a very polished and capable way. Real star quality. I really enjoyed the interpretation of Miss Hannigan by Leanne Fincham who injected a good deal of unexpected comedy into the role. She was flamboyant, extravagant, mean and spiteful in the role and the audience really enjoyed this character. Rebecca Clemens, playing Grace Farrell the Secretary acted out this key role really well as did Graham Bowden, as billionaire Oliver Warbucks. These two really complemented each other and carried the plot lines strongly. Indeed, all the cast, including the chorus, were on top form, whether singing or dancing or acting their roles and are a credit to the society. Miss Hannigan’s brother, Rooster, played by David Rutter, was superb as the extrovert sibling who then managed a transformation to subdued and subservient ‘pretend’ father of Annie very well, ably assisted by his rather ditsy wife, Lily St Regis. Again, this pairing were well cast and complemented each other admirably. And ,of course, I have to mention Cookie Cutmore, as Sandy the dog, who was very well behaved and a natural on stage.

The Orphans ( Bundles on the evening I visited ) were so well rehearsed. Cheeky. mischievous, all playing individual characters, they acted and sang their hearts out ! It was a real pleasure to watch them, all clearly enjoying themselves.

Many congratulations to Adam Woodhouse for his inspiration and direction and for breaking the mantra ‘never work with children and animals’!

Neil Somerville, as Musical Director, led a large orchestra very effectively, achieving just the right volume when accompanying the soloists. The orchestra was very well balanced, allowing individual instruments to break through at the correct moment and achieving good balance throughout. I particularly enjoyed the singing of Hard Knock Life, East Street and Tomorrow ( of course) but in truth all the musical numbers were performed competently and with great feeling by both soloists and chorus.

Stage Manager Terry Lyon, led the backstage crew, in seamlessly changing the sets and scenery, supplied by Scenic Productions Ltd. Callum Macdonald ( lighting design ) and Martyn Hunt ( sound design ) led their teams in creating the lighting effects and sound. Again, the sound volume was at a good level for the large auditorium. Wardrobe Mistress ( Hazel Knights ), aided by her team, had sourced some excellent costumes which were so appropriate to the period . I especially liked Miss Hannigan’s costume and the sets for the orphans.

An extremely good production and clearly much appreciated by the capacity audience. We enjoyed it immensely and look forward to the next production.

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