Annie

As a child, my grandmother would often compare a scruffy child with ‘You look like Little Orphan Annie!’  I see that the character was first met in a poem from 1885, which probably explains my nan’s use of the phrase, which has gone down the family. A newspaper comic strip followed in 1924, which gave Annie the red curly hair, and a 1932 film. So she has been around a long time! The musical premiered in 1977, and of course has been enchanting audiences ever since. The poem, by the way, is very sweet and funny, worth Googling.

In the musical we meet feisty Annie among a group of girls growing up in a New York orphanage under the dubious care of the gin-addled Miss Hannigan. She escapes, befriends a stray dog, and all kinds of adventures ensue. She searches for her parents, will she be reunited with them?

The attractive and informative programme contained a good synopsis, a list of musical numbers, many rehearsal photos, good cast profiles including a nice one of Fizzy, who played Sandy the dog so charmingly. There were some amusing interviews with the ‘orphans’ about what they would prefer for breakfast instead of their usual ‘mush’, what they would enjoy about the school they are soon to start, thanks to Mr Warbucks, and what their character would wish for as a gift under his splendid Christmas tree. A page on NODA and a useful list of past productions, together with details of future productions completed the interesting programme.

Lighting was effectively used throughout, from the harsh light of the orphanage to the cosy lighting of Mr Warbuck’s home at Christmastime.

There was a fine array of costumes. However, bearing in mind that we watched the show in a 30-degree heatwave, one couldn’t help feeling sorry for the whole cast, especially as much took place in the winter months! I especially felt for Annie in her red wig of tight curls and winter coat, and for Franklin D. Roosevelt in his suit, planted firmly in his thickly padded wheelchair – and he was on stage for a good long time. The orphans wore baggy uniform dresses of a rough sailcloth type material in dull blue, dull green or brown. Miss Hannigan had a couple of nice dresses, as well as a glamorous morning robe over her skimpy nightdress (for those gin-supping scenes!) The New York down-and-outs were very well wrapped up in hats, scarves, ragged coats and gloves (thankfully only for one number!)

In Mr Warbucks' household, his staff were very properly attired, including Drake the butler in tails, naturally.  Grace Farrell, Warbucks' secretary, always looked stunning and had some fabulous outfits. Mr Warbucks, if I’m not mistaken, wore 3-piece suits and a bow tie, which by the end of the production had (understandably) been unfastened. Bert Healy, in the NBC radio studio wore a snazzy hat, and the Boylan sisters different coloured dresses in the same style. Congratulations to Mary Coyte and Yvonne Fuller for their work on the costumes, they were a delight.

The four hard looking and narrow beds in the orphanage, where the girls slept two in a bed,top to tail, looked pretty depressing. Miss Hannigan had a table in her office on which her all-important radio stood. Buckets, scrubbing brushes and brooms were very much in evidence, yet only one sad-looking rag doll, that looked even sadder once Miss Hannigan had cruelly decapitated it. In the city, the New York skyline could be seen of course, the dog catcher had a large crate on wheels, the apple seller a basket of the fruit no one wanted to buy, the policeman a whistle and truncheon. In Hooverville, the shanty town, residents huddled around a brazier, with a pot of soup on top.

Contrast this, of course, with the luxurious residence of Oliver Warbucks, with elegant staircase and furniture, displays of flowers, and that sumptuous, well-decorated Christmas tree with presents beneath.

This was a slick production, with good casting, that marched along at a fine pace. The frequent change of setting meant that there was constant action and movement.

On the evening we visited, the role of Annie was played by Rose Whibley. A challenging task, of course, as Annie is on stage much of the time. Rose made a splendid job of it, congratulations to her. The orphans were marvellous, each and every one, with tiny Molly (Blythe Mepham) absolutely amazingly confident and right on cue.

With a cast of over 40, and so many children and a dog, Director Mary Coyte doubtless had her work cut out, but achieved a fabulous production to thrill the Farnham audiences.

All the principals gave good performances, and really made their roles their own. Miss Hannigan (Rachel Davison) was really scary, every orphan’s nightmare, yet she had a sadness about her. Grace Farrell (Lisa Lindsay) was the opposite, kind, successful, efficient and charming. Mark Mowbray was very believable as Oliver Warbucks, the millionaire with a heart of gold, totally delighted with his ‘Christmas orphan’, to the extent of wishing to adopt her. Good cameo performances from Nick Lang and Steph Taylor as Rooster Hannigan, a low-level crook, and his girl Lily St Regis, out for what they could get. She looked particularly fine in blond wig, copious amounts of makeup and a very pretty pink flouncy 1920s style dress.

I really liked the toothpaste ad section from the NBC Radio Station, that was fun and slickly done. The Cabinet Office scene was funny too, Richard White made a fine Roosevelt.

An unlikely story with a blissfully happy ending, of course. A good opportunity for Mary Coyte and FAOS to entertain us with a large cast, plenty of action, and some good songs.

Show photos by Peter Sillick.

 

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