Annie
Information
- Date
- 27th October 2012
- Society
- SALOS - Musical Theatre Company
- Venue
- Wyvern Theatre, Swindon
- Type of Production
- Musical
- Director
- Russell Langdown Associate Director Sandra Gilbert
- Musical Director
- Malcolm Webb
- Choreographer
- Gemma Short
Based on the cartoon comic strip ‘Little Orphan Annie’ the whole show is pure American corn; but with a cast of cute/horrible small girls and a scruffy mongrel dog its popularity never fails. Director Russell Langdown’s ideas for the opening of this show were excellent; throughout the overture the audience were introduced to the cast in tableau behind a very well lit gauze as the appropriate music was played, ending with a couple carrying a baby across the stage and leaving the it on the doorstep of the orphanage. All the sets from Scenic Projects had been well designed and constructed. The set for the orphanage allowed full use of the stage having the street visible through the windows with the external door opening onto it, with two interior doors representing access to the dormitory and Miss Hannigan’s office, enabling the action to spill over. This production used a separate set for Warbuck’s Mansion and his study, both were suitably opulent. The Mansion set being the Entrance Hall of the Mansion with a staircase leading to an upper level and a grand front door beneath the landing, all of which gave excellent opportunity for using different levels and coping with the large Christmas tree at the end. The lighting had been well designed and operated, with good projection of images in ‘NYC’. The costumes and make-up reflected the different social classes. Often the orphans and ‘Hooverville-ites’ are too well dressed and clean, but in this production they were all suitably down and out. Grace Farrell’s costumes were elegant, worn with confidence and reflecting her social position. It was unusual to see an Oliver Warbucks with hair, but I did not have a problem with it. Lily’s costume and make-up added to the brashness of the character. The choreographer took the opportunity to create lively routines with the dance numbers in this show, making the most of space on the stage. As always with this group there was a strong principal line up, who were well supported by the rest of the company. The sound balance was good between instruments and voices and Musical Director Malcolm Webb was in total control of the orchestra. The ensemble and principal singing was good throughout, with good diction. Director Russell Langdown had worked extremely hard with Annie and the orphans, which must have taken a great deal of time with two sets of young people to rehearse. The finale of the show was excellent, well choreographed, and sung with enthusiasm, which had the large audience leaving the Theatre humming the tunes.
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