Annie

With its much-loved score and enduring message of hope, Annie remains a firm favourite with audiences. Set in 1930s New York, the musical follows the story of young orphan Annie determined to find her parents, despite the hardships of life under the watchful eye of Miss Hannigan. When Annie is invited to spend Christmas with billionaire Oliver Warbucks, her life takes an unexpected turn, leading to a heartwarming tale of resilience, optimism and belonging. This production at Crewe Lyceum Theatre by Curtain Call Productions presented the piece with energy and clear commitment from all involved.

Under the direction of Gail Montague, with choreography by Joel Montague & Rhianne Stubbs, and musical direction from Malcolm Forbes-Peckham, the production demonstrated a clear vision and strong understanding of the material. Direction was consistent throughout, with purposeful staging that made effective use of the performance space. Movement felt considered, and there was a good balance between action and focus across the stage.

Visually, the production was well supported. Costumes were appropriate for both the era and style of the show, contributing positively to the overall aesthetic. There were, however, some instances, especially during the Warbucks House scenes, where the costumes would have benefited from being pressed to keep in with the fact that Warbucks runs a tight ship and the staff must have everything looking perfect for him. These is a minor observation and did not detract from the production, but attention to such details would enhance the overall presentation.

Set was used effectively, with good use of space and well-executed scene transitions. Scene changes were smooth, even when larger set pieces were involved, and setting some scenes further downstage while allowing larger set changes to happen behind was simple yet brilliant. The inclusion of levels within the blocking and choreography during the Warbucks household scenes brought depth to the production and, for me, really added to just how grand his house is meant to be. Lighting was well executed with the cast being suitably lit, although there were occasional moments of glare when in the Orphanage due to the finish on windows on the backdrop.

Sound was well balanced overall, ensuring that dialogue and vocals were clearly heard. There were a small number of minor timing inconsistencies with microphone cues, but these were brief and did not detract from the performance. Musically, the production was strong, with well-rehearsed harmonies and a confident ensemble sound throughout. The band provided solid support, contributing to the overall atmosphere of the production.

Choreography was well suited to the style of the show and made effective use of the cast's strengths. Ensemble numbers were performed with energy and precision, most notably in Hard Knock Life, which demonstrated strong confidence and commitment from the children within the cast. Another highlight for me was “We’d Like to Thank You Herbert Hoover” which utilised both the adult and youth ensemble members. This was performed brilliantly and it was a pleasure to watch. The choreography complemented the action well and allowed performers to showcase both character and movement. The cast worked cohesively throughout, demonstrating strong ensemble work and high energy levels consistently.

In the title role, Molly Drain delivered a confident and engaging performance as Annie. Vocally strong and assured, she portrayed the character with a good range of emotion, balancing determination with warmth. Her defiant attitude within the orphanage setting was particularly effective. This was a brilliant performance from Molly – well done!

Steven Coles presented a well-considered portrayal of Oliver Warbucks, showing clear character development from a more reserved figure to a warmer and more compassionate presence. His interactions with Annie were believable, and he delivered a performance that was both engaging and well balanced, supported by confident movement and stage presence. I particularly enjoyed the partner work with Annie - very well performed by the duo.

Natalie Kent, as Miss Hannigan, gave a strong character performance, combining effective comic timing with a commanding stage presence. Vocally secure throughout, she maintained consistency, with “Little Girls” standing out as a highlight of her performance.

Siobhan Webb, in the role of Grace Farrell, brought a gentle and sincere quality to the character. Her portrayal was warm and caring, and while vocals were occasionally softer, they remained effective and appropriate to the role.

Sean Johnson-Hargreaves as Rooster delivered a lively and engaging performance, with strong physicality and clear characterisation. His comedic delivery was effective, and his presence added energy throughout. Rhianne Stubbs, as Lily St. Regis, complemented this well, bringing confidence and character to the role. Her performance was engaging, with strong stage presence and effective interaction within the trio. Rhianne’s voice for her dialogue was absolutely spot on for this character.

A noteworthy performance for me was Gareth Butler as Drake, providing a number of well-observed comic moments that had the audience in stitches. This was balanced perfectly and never over-played. Tandie Stahl-Stockton also shone brightly delivering stunning vocals and great characterisation during “NYC”. I must also give a special mention to Erin Harrington in the role of Molly. This was an amazing performance for such a young actor, she had the whole audience captivated. Performing with such confidence and conviction, and showcasing brilliant dance ability, Erin should be very proud of this performance – well done!

The Orphans were played by Team Warbucks for the show I attended, and every single one of them did a fantastic job. Their relationships with each other were great and they all had their own little personalities for their characters which really shone through. They truly captured youthful joy during a lot of the scenes, and their vocals during “Hard Knock Life” were simply incredible. It hit the audience like a wall of sound, which is exactly what I feel like this number should do.

In summary, this was an enjoyable and well-executed production of Annie. The company demonstrated strong ensemble work, supported by clear direction and effective staging. While there are a few areas where further refinement could enhance the overall presentation, these were minor in the context of an otherwise successful and engaging performance. The audience response reflected this, with clear appreciation throughout. A thoroughly entertaining production, and a credit to all involved. Huge thanks go to Curtain Call for their invite to the show and great hospitality. I wish them the best of luck for their production of 9 to 5, to be performed at Crewe Lyceum in September.

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