Annie

OH, MY GOODNESS, OH, MY GOODNESS!!! UNMISSABLE SHOW.

Where do I start, Beckie Clark, you have scored a blinder with this ‘ANNIE’ what a masterpiece of theatre. You asked me to come and see both sets of orphans, I thought to myself how will I get through two Annies in one day, will I drop off? Well, you’ll be pleased to know, I didn’t. What a show!! Beckie you are a force to be reckoned with, as a director!!  Your Annie is the best community theatre ‘Annie’ I have ever had the pleasure of reviewing and I have done a few in my time as NODA representative for Kent Medway and Thanet. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Annie all over: New York, Australia, and Brazil, also the original cast in London and now Ramsgate, wow …and yours comes close to any of them….

You chose your cast wisely and it paid off. Direction was of very high standard indeed. Along with Alice Jewel and Lauren Clark as choreographers, and Lauren as Vocal Arranger, what a team you three ladies are. 

Ariana Lock and Autumn Curtis as your Annie’s were so professional in their approach to the part, and quite honestly, there wasn’t a thing I could fault, acting singing and dance: well done to these two young ladies. Autumn had a problem with ‘Sandy’ the dog in the afternoon but as a true trooper, she coped with it extremely well. Their audience were with these two young ladies all the way. They well deserved the adulation they got at the final curtain.

Phillip Halpin playing Oliver Warbucks gave us a strong Daddy. Phillip has so much stage presence, and his acting ability was perfect for this part. Nice to see he didn’t shave his head and be like other Daddies - hats off to you Phillip, perfect. Lauren Friday as Grace Farrell gave grace and poise to this part and carried the part to high standards, teamed with Phillip they were perfectly paired. Good choice Beckie. Julie Sharp as Miss Hannigan took over the stage whenever she was on, as Miss Hannigan should...!! Powerful and loud and that Julie is a powerhouse of an actress, she was hated by the orphans and the audience alike, so Julie got it right. Reuben Thorpe and Yasmina Chaarani took on the comedy roles of Rooster Hannigan and Lily St Regis - they were perfectly paired, both giving great performances. They bounced of each other very well. Reuben had most of the comedy lines and did he make sure we got them, would I call it over-acting? YES, but Rooster's part needs this, his facial nuances are phenomenal. I shall say no more!! I liked Easy Street with all three of you a lot.

Three men, Lee Sadd as Franklin Roosvelt and Lt Ward, Richard Adams as Drake Hull and Paul Zannetti as Bert Healy, Bundles, Ickes - thy played these important roles and backing up the leads with so many changes. Backing vocals by the Boylan Sisters: spot on girls.

I’m sorry Ensemble I can’t mention all of you, but believe me you added your all to this Annie.

Now the orphans: What can I say, so young and so full of talent. Two teams of you. Team Empire and Team Chrysler up there all enjoying your own moments. I saw two Molly’s (think there might have been three) all acting their hearts out, well done to all the Molly's. You girls and three boys (YES! Boys) - thank you Beckie for including boys, it’s about time! Us as an audience couldn’t have asked for more from you lot of orphans. 

Set: To me this worked, may be not for others but the drapes being pulled across to change scenes along with cast setting props and furniture worked perfectly well and made this Annie move swiftly along.

“My sun did come out” I haven’t had to use my poison pen, well just a little one: I felt the lighting at the back of stage was low when performers were there. This ANNIE was a joy to watch and PERFECTION of community theatre at its best.

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