Annie

Many thanks for inviting us to your December 2024 production of Annie.

It was clear the company were enjoying themselves - the energy and enthusiasm shown by everyone was tangible throughout the performance. All the major principals gave strong, convincing portrayals of their respective characters. The American accents and general demeanour were all good, and never over the top.  

On the evening performance that we attended it was the ‘St Regis Cast” performing, with Annie being played by Laurie Smart. Laurie was delightfully endearing, oozed confidence, and her acting and singing skills along with her optimistic, strong willed, yet friendly and sensitive character traits were top notch. It was a lovely, captivating performance. Other named orphans in the St Regis Cast were Duffy (Mollie Barrett), July (Molly McNab), Kate (Summer Macauley-Hendry), Molly (Roxy Gunn), Pepper (Mhairi McGirr), and Tessie (Esme McNaughton). They were all absolutely superb, each portraying their own individuality, but working so well together. Their musical numbers were all well sung and the accompanying, well-rehearsed and super dance routines were all well delivered with such enthusiasm and energy. 

Whilst mentioning dancing, one of the highlights of this evening’s performance must surely have been the choreography! In the experienced hands (and feet!) of Elinor Tomlinson every dance break, be it performed by an adult or child, was superbly drilled - hand and leg movements being a delight to watch. Congratulations Elinor! 

Suzanne Anderson was perfect in the role of Miss Hannigan. She totally captured the utterly outrageous, tyrannical nature of the character and her strong vocals together with her exceptional acting skills all added to make this an outstanding performance. Scott Hunter as Daddy Warbucks gave an effortless portrayal with the ideal mix of power as a decisive and wealthy businessman and later becoming a sensitive, caring father figure. Erin Gilliland-Paterson was elegantly refined, calm and businesslike as Warbucks Private Secretary, Grace Farrell, but she portrayed great warmth and kindness to the ‘staff’, to Warbucks himself and the love she had for Annie was so heartfelt. Erin has a lovely singing voice too. 

A terrific performance was portrayed by Lewis Harley as the disreputable Rooster. His acting and singing prowess brought a lively, energetic burst of fun to the stage and together with Miss Hannigan and his girlfriend Lily St. Regis, played by Amy Reilly, the singing and dancing in ‘Easy Street’ was definitely a show highlight. Lewis and Amy were both splendid in their characterization of Annie’s supposed long lost parents, Mr. and Mrs. Mudge. 

The two remaining cast of main principals were no less excellent in their stage performances, and it is no wonder. I would not like to guess the cumulative number of years of theatre experience achieved by Malcy Burnett as President Roosevelt and Charlie Sinclair as Bert Healy! Well done to both!

Looking at the technical side the sets were appropriate and guided us through the various locations in the show.  Costumes too were well in keeping with the period and style of production. Sound at times did suffer from being defeated by orchestral underscoring – at least from where we were sitting. Lighting got to the stage of being annoying, when at every musical number or orchestral piece we were swamped with a plethora of spinning gobos and flashing colours – Note: just because you have intelligent lighting to hand, please use them sparingly and allow your audiences’ eyes to rest. Remember, less is more!

Artistic Direction by Chris Tomlinson and Musical Direction by Brian Beaton brought this show together to form an evening of extreme theatrical pleasure!

Well done Kelty Musical!

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