Annie

Annie
Book by: Thomas Meehan
Music by: Charles Strouse
Lyrics by: Martin Charnin
Performed at: Princess Theatre Burnham
Performed by: BEES
Directed by, Sandy Ballantyne
Choreographed by. Sarah Loveridge
Musical Director. Debbie Birkett
Date. 29/11/2025
Noda Rep: Mike Purnell
I was very excited to come to Burnham to meet one of my new groups.
Thank you for the nice welcome and lovely seats.
Firstly, I must say it fills me with joy to see so many youngsters up on stage
living their best lives. They are the future of any club and to see them up there
growing in confidence as the show progressed with singing, dancing and
acting was certainly something to enjoy. You have quite an age range
amongst you, and I felt the kids were used to their best advantage, some
working on challenging choreography, while other younger groups came on
slightly later to add their bit, and it was so heart warming to see the older
children helping the youngsters be in position and executing their movement.
Well done to them.
Sound & Balance
There were some challenges with sound on the night, particularly with Annie’s
microphone in Act One. At times the balance between voices and music felt
uneven, with vocals occasionally overpowering the accompaniment. This
made me wonder if the cast had foldback on stage, as a few timings were
lost. The atmosphere could have been lifted with slightly stronger
underscoring from the tracks. I completely appreciate how little time groups
often have in the theatre before opening, and as this was the first of two
performances, I hope things settled further by Sunday. A sound operator who
knows the show well can make a huge difference, so that might be something
to consider for future productions.
Scene Changes & Pacing
Scene changes were a little slow and clunky, which unfortunately interrupted
the flow and extended the running time to just under three hours. That said,
the audience remained wonderfully supportive throughout, which was
fantastic to see. One way to streamline transitions could be to use reprises
more effectively—for example, “Hard Knock Life” could have been staged
further forward with subtle lighting, allowing the set change to happen behind.
 

Another thought is whether such a large set was necessary at all. The
programme photos with just the blacks looked striking, with costumes and
furniture alone creating a strong sense of place. With imaginative lighting and
perhaps a touch of haze, you could achieve atmosphere without slowing the
pace.

I hope this doesn’t sound too negative—it’s clear the company has great
potential, and with some bold choices and creative problem-solving, future
productions could really shine. As a newer director myself, I’ve learned from
seeing recent West End revivals like Sunset Boulevard and Evita that
anything is possible when you’re brave with staging. I’m excited to see how
your group develops, and I’m sure your next show will build on the lessons
learned here.
Casting
The casting was good. Leading characters did a great job, and moved the
story along well. This was the strength of this production. Each performer
seemed very suited to their role, bringing both authenticity and energy to the
stage. Young Annie captured the characters optimism and resilience with
charm, a great central character. The young supporting characters delivered
their lines with conviction. I so enjoyed seeing each one of them shine when
their moment arrived.
Costumes, Hair and Make-Up
Well done to the wardrobe team. This was a huge task and mostly very
authentic to the time. Some nice bright colours were used which brought
bold colour to the stage. The backing singers in the radio scene looked very
good as did the maids. I wasn’t a big fan of Annie’s wig, it sadly swamped
her very expressive features, something slightly less thick could have worked
better. Makeup was generally very good and applied well.
Musical Direction (Debbie Birkett)
I could tell a lot of work had gone into this area. Some nice harmonies
coming through especially the backing singers in the radio scene and from
the ensemble. Annie sang beautifully as did Grace. Oliver Warbucks had a
very strong voice and good range, whilst Miss Hannigan gave us some very
strong character singing too. Rooster and Lilly gave us strong vocals adding
good character to their songs.
Annie (Jess)
Annie is such a commanding role, especially being on stage for a lot of the
show. This was a young performer who maintained confidence, eye contact
and expressive gestures throughout. “Tomorrow” really is the song of the
show that we’re all waiting for and you didn’t disappoint. Despite your voice

not being fully matured just yet, you showed us that sincerity can be more
powerful than technical perfection. Great interaction with your fellow cast
members throughout and a good strong stage presence. Good luck for the
future.
Oliver Warbucks (Kris)
Warbucks can easily slip into being stiff or overly stern, but you brought
depth and humanity to the role. Your transformation from a hardened
businessman to a caring father figure felt authentic and heartfelt. You had an
authoritative presence, yet were approachable, capturing Warbucks’ blend of
wealth, power and vulnerability. You had a nice rich timbre and powerful
projection to your singing voice giving songs like “NYC” and “Something Was
Missing” a gravitas that anchors the production. I felt a genuine connection
with young Annie which made your scenes touching and believable.
Grace Farrell (Hannah)
This actress consistently looked immaculate, embodying Grace‘s polished
elegance and professional poise. Your costumes and demeanour perfectly
reflected the characters role as Oliver Warbucks’ trusted secretary, adding
authenticity and sophistication to the production.You carried yourself with
grace (true to your name) in ensuring that every entrance felt purposeful and
central to the unfolding story. Your singing voice was warm, clear, and
expressive, balancing strength and gentleness making your musical
contributions both technically impressive and emotionally engaging.
Miss Hannigan (Emma)
This was a wonderfully high‐energy performance, ensuring Miss Hannigan
was never overlooked. Your physicality and vocal projection gave the
character a larger‐than‐life presence, perfectly capturing the chaotic spirit of
the orphanage scenes.
At times the emphasis on Hannigan’s more intimidating qualities slightly
outweighed the humour, which meant some comic moments didn’t land as
strongly as they could. Introducing just a touch more subtlety in delivery might
allow the comedy to shine through more naturally, making her antics even
funnier while still keeping that delicious edge of menace. Striking the balance
between Hannigan’s sly humour and her darker side is what makes her such
a memorable and beloved villain.
Rooster Hannigan (Maisie)
Taking on a role traditionally played by a male you brought fresh energy and
originality to Rooster. Your lively stage presence made the character feel
vibrant and mischievous, perfectly capturing the scheming spirit of Miss
Hannigan‘s brother. You leaned into the playful villainy with confidence,
ensuring Rooster remained a standout figure in every scene. Your strong
singing voice added greatly to the ensemble and giving numbers like “Easy

Street” extra punch and flare.
Lily St Regis (Debbie)
You brought sparkle and charisma to Lily perfectly capturing the characters,
playful, slightly ditzy charm. Your comic timing added levity to the darker
scenes of Rooster and Miss Hannigan ensuring Lily felt like more than just a
sidekick. You were a vibrant presence in your own right. Whether in dialogue
or ensemble moments you consistently drew the audience’s attention with
your lively expressions and animated delivery. An extra busy show for you
considering you wore the hat of the musical director also, well done.
All of the smaller roles in “Annie” added wonderful depth and energy to the
production, from the spirited orphans who brought heart and personality to
every group number, to the polished household staff who gave the mansion
scenes, elegance and warmth, and the colourful supporting characters like
President Roosevelt and Bert Healy added humour and variety. Each
performer contributed something unique, ensuring the story felt lively, full,
and memorable, and together they created a rich backdrop that made the
main characters shine even brighter.
Choreography
The choreography in this show was a true highlight of the production. The
choreographer demonstrated a keen eye for creating beautiful stage pictures
that captured the energy and optimism of the show. By focusing on clean
shapes and simple, accessible movement, she ensured that every performer,
regardless of experience, could master the routines with confidence. Your
approach struck a perfect balance. The ensemble moved together
seamlessly, with formations that framed the story and characters effectively.
You gave each cast member their moment to shine which added depth to the
storytelling without overwhelming it. There were some very special moments,
especially with the very younger members of the company, who stole the
focus completely. This was a real highlight for the audience. The dances were
not only enjoyable to perform, but also delightful to watch leaving the
audience with lasting images that matched the heart of Annie.
Director
The director’s vision for Annie showed real promise, particularly in the way
individual scenes were staged. There were moments that worked beautifully
in isolation and revealed a strong sense of creativity. At times, however, the
production struggled to fully connect as a cohesive whole. Some of the
technical elements didn’t quite support the storytelling as strongly as they
might have, which in turn affected the overall pacing of the show.

I was reminded of a conversation years ago with a director I worked under in
Singin’ in the Rain. He told me he would only direct a show if he knew he
could also direct the scene changes. At the time, I didn’t fully grasp the
importance of that idea, but with experience—and now stepping into direction
myself—I’ve come to appreciate how vital those transitions are in shaping the
rhythm of a production. It’s a reminder that we never stop learning in this
craft.
That said, the production was far from without merit. It was clear throughout
that the director brought genuine passion and vision to the stage. The heart of
Annie—its optimism, warmth, and sense of community—shone through,
leaving the audience uplifted. By drawing committed performances from the
cast and ensuring the story’s enduring charm remained intact, the director
ultimately delivered a show that captured the spirit of this beloved musical
and sent audiences home smiling. That achievement is no small thing, and it
speaks to the director’s ability to inspire both performers and audience alike.
I really look forward to your next production, and hope I’ve offered some
words of advice to help, even if just a little bit.
See you all soon
Best wishes
Mike

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