Annie

Annie is a show so well known that everyone that visits a production of it knows what to expect. In this production they got exactly what it said on the tin with some added embellishments thrown in for good measure. For an opening night this was a very ‘tight’ production with some imaginative touches by director Gareth Hunter. The six named ‘Orphans’ opened the production with great confidence and vocals amongst their peers on stage – some thirty ‘Little Girls’ in total. No the wonder Miss Hannigan, played and sung superbly  in Bette Midler fashion by Katie Howes, bemoaned her luck in being landed with the small army and dreamed of ‘Easy Street’ when her brother. Rooster and Lily (David Foster and Carly Nelder) appeared to spice things up.

Playing the role of Pres. Roosevelt was David Hamilton who had the correct blend of dominance tempered with compassion. The affable Bert Healy was played by Lee Brannigan with great personality, complemented in the singing by the Boylan sisters (Cat McElroy, Sarah Ketchin and Brooke Bailey). The Warbucks mansion staff led by Drake (Gerry Troughton) busied and fussed for the arrival of their new guest for Christmas.

Natalie Elliethy had poise and sang well in her role of Grace Farrell, as she organised the affairs of her employer, ‘Daddy’ Warbucks, played very smoothly and with great ease by Maurice McShane.

Annabel Malin as ‘Annie’ (Rhiane Finley as understudy and matinee performance) was simply made for the role as she confidently sang her way through the score, and made the stage her own in her iconic curly ginger wig. Her energy and buoyancy was a joy to behold and she had great chemistry with her on-stage guardian/would be father.

This was not simply a ‘principal’ production, as the chorus and smaller role players ensured a rounded production that demanded and received great applause during the finale. Use of back projected graphics set the atmosphere in many scenes, and was used to good effect in the minimalistic set. Sound reinforcement, sound and lighting effects were well utilised, and the orchestra under the direction of Peter Foster was well controlled. Overall this was a very good production and excellent opening night. Well done SSGS

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