Annie

Annie follows the journey of a plucky, red-haired orphan living in Depression-era New York. Determined to find her parents, Annie escapes the clutches of the comically cruel Miss Hannigan and finds herself taken in by billionaire Oliver Warbucks. As Annie's optimistic outlook begins to thaw Warbucks’ cold exterior, they both discover the true meaning of family.

On the night we viewed the production, the orphans were played by Team Hannigan, who all played their roles with a sassiness belying their age.

At the heart of the production is, of course, Annie, (in Team Hannigan, portrayed by Abi Jones). Abi's spirited, heartfelt performance perfectly captured the orphan’s determination and charm, her vocals en pointe throughout and her relationship with those around her very believable.

According to cast, crew, and those others who saw the production, Team Warbucks, led by Mya Tomlinson in the leading role, were on a par with Team Hannigan in every manner of their performance.

Alongside her, Oliver Warbucks, (Mark Elliott) offered a commanding yet warm presence, his transformation throughout the show handled with nuance.

I never thought of myself as a traditionalist - in past productions, the role of Miss Hannigan was played by a female - then in the late 90's the role was undertaken by Paul O'grady (aka Lily Savage), and has since been played by either.   

In this production Miss Hannigan was brought to life by James Shields. James was a standout, injecting sharp comedic timing and chaotic energy into every scene. Whilst I thought James's performance to be stand-out, I'd like to have seen the society take a chance on one of its female leads (See? Maybe in some ways I am a traditionalist). This said, my guest (who'd never seen the show before, so didn't have the weight of history swimming round in his head) thought the depiction of Miss Hannigan to be excellent. Either way, James's performance in the role really was a sight to behold.

Grace Farrell, delivered by Hannah Morris, provided elegance and calm as Warbucks’ loyal secretary, complimenting Mark throughout, whether in song or movement, Hannah embraced the role completely.

Rooster Hannigan, enacted by Benji Pollitt and Lily St. Regis, embodied by Amy Lawton, were delightfully conniving, adding humour and mischief in equal measure to their scenes, contorting themselves every way imaginable throughout their songs. Benji's fake moustache seemed to have a life of its own at one point, almost showing that the jig was up two scenes too early.

I particularly enjoyed the radio scene, with the ever flexible Matt Armistead as Burt Healy, well supported by Bonnie, Connie and Ronnie (Jessica Titman, Meg Williams and Lily Stark) as the vibrant Boylan Sisters- the fun depicted in the scene being a sharp contrast to the Cabinet scene, led by Bob Bailey as a rather ineffectual President Roosevelt.

A special mention must go to Sandy the Dog, played by George, who charmed the audience with impeccable stage discipline, and that costume- wow!

The chorus sang with gusto, and their harmonies were tight and confident throughout. Group numbers were delivered with enthusiasm and clarity, making each familiar song enjoyable for the audience.

The production made good use of Lancaster Grand’s intimate stage, with LED Screen and versatile sets, though on at least one occasion, the outside weather conditions differed somewhat from the view from the windows.

Lighting design was effective in setting the mood: from the dim, gloomy tones of the orphanage to the bright, hopeful hues of Warbucks’ home. Sound quality was consistent, with well-managed microphones ensuring all dialogue and lyrics were clear. Special effects were used subtly but effectively, adding polish without distraction.

The orchestra, under the steady hand of Ian Allan, provided solid, unobtrusive support—well-balanced in volume, giving singers space to be heard without overpowering

The choreography (Sophie Jade Butler) was crisp, well-drilled, and perfectly suited to the energy of the cast, particularly in numbers like Hard Knock Life and NYC, allowing both the younger performers and adults to shine.

This production of Annie at Lancaster Grand Theatre delivered exactly what audiences hoped for—an uplifting, nostalgic evening packed with memorable characters, iconic songs, and slick production values. The cast's commitment and energy, combined with thoughtful staging and musical direction by Sophie Jade Butler, made for an entertaining saccharin-filled night out. A testament to the enduring appeal of Annie and the talents of all involved.

Thank you, Morecambe Amateurs, for your hospitality and invitation.

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