Annie

In their 30th anniversary year, Threshold Theatre Company collaborated with the Echo Youth Theatre for this production. With the sad passing of Annie composer Charles Strouse, a couple of weeks before the show, what followed was a simply stunning production of his work that I felt honoured to have witnessed.

The set and stage was dressed simply throughout, with the fantastic 14-piece orchestra under the Direction of Acer Smith on a balcony above the stage. Lighting was perfectly balanced and used to good effect in the New York street scene, to reflect the skyline. The scenes in Warbucks’ mansion was created by using two staircases parallel to each other.

As the show opened, enter the children of the New York City Municipal Orphanage, trying to get some sleep, only to be roused early by the drunken authoritarian head of the orphanage, Miss Hannigan (Holly Graham). Launching into “It’s the Hard Knock Life,” I was taken aback by the power of the singing, dancing, sheer energy, and acting skills portrayed by all these children. They had been drilled to perfection by the production team, and it was incredible to watch. Their interactions with Hannigan throughout, teasing her whilst at the same time wary of her, had been directed so well. Holly Graham, as Miss Hannigan, was outstanding, teasing out every complex aspect of the character, and her performance of “Little Girls” was top class.

Zac Sowter, as Rooster, and Jasmine Harvey, as Lily St Regis, were very well cast and I particularly enjoyed the number “Easy Street” with Miss Hannigan.

For this performance, Kitty Denny played the role of Annie, Darcie Simmons taking the role on alternate performances. Kitty was a fantastic Annie, and maintaining her composure whilst singing “Tomorrow,” whilst holding onto Riley the dog as Sandy, showed the talent that this young lady has at such a young age. Kitty not only took the lead role, but owned the stage that she was on, no mean feat, especially during the scenes with all the adult cast.

Kate Pantry, as Grace Farrell, was another outstanding characterisation. Kate has such a wonderful singing voice, and the stage chemistry between her, Annie, and Oliver Warbucks (Ben Woodward), was a tour de force. Ben Woodward has an amazing quality to his vocals and “” Something Was Missing” later in the show, gave me goosebumps, fabulous.

The transition scenes from the mansion “I think I’m Gunna Like It Here,” to the streets of “NYC,” was so uplifting. It was at this stage of the show that the ensemble joined and took the production to a whole new level. They were all so good and every single one of them added to the overall outstanding quality of the production. I sat back and was in awe at the choreography, individual characterisations, and such wonderful singing of the whole company. As we went through the NBC Radio scene, to the Whitehouse Cabinet Room with President Roosevelt (Charlie Collins) and back to the Warbucks Mansion, the whole ensemble, playing many of the smaller roles, made this into such a wonderful production. I particularly enjoyed Kyle Davy, as Bert Healey, Alice Peck, Ellie Keeler and Jazmin Artherton as the Boylan Sisters, and Helaina Bowater as Fred Mckracken and Wacky. Finally, Charles Tweed, as the butler Drake, his excited leap as he left the stage having just heard that Annie was to be adopted was hilarious.

Thanks to all at Threshold for a wonderful evening, and my congratulations to the whole production team.

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