Annie

There were so many excellent performances from the large cast. Two Annies, Chloe Collins and Sophie Maye, won over everyone, especially Oliver Warbucks (Mike Clarke), who gave another faultless performance. He showed a truly caring attitude to the Annies, and they showed true warmth to and trust in “Daddy”. These portrayals, ably supported by Grace (Bev Dunkley), held the audiences, both young and old, transfixed. What about the old adage of never performing with children and animals? The orphans all engaged with the audience (and cast) as soon as the music started, able to be positive in whatever situation Betzi, as Sandy the dog, stole everyone’s heart and revelled in her part.

Rooster (John Bowen) and Lily (Julie Breakwell) gave another dimension to the show with their larger than life performances. Weren’t we glad they didn’t get away with their subterfuge as Annie’s long lost parents? Miss Hannigan (Adele Hopkins) certainly portrayed a dislike for “little girls” and a willingness to end her torment by scheming with her brother and his ‘girlfriend’ and had fun in their trio.

The Boylen sisters were a real flash-back to the Andrews Sisters with lovely, well executed harmony from the 3 young girls, Jodie Breakwell, Katie Collins and Josephine Bowen, and the radio studio characters really selling the ‘behind the scenes’ of radio. The Cabinet members gave us some sound singing of the song everyone knows “Tomorrow” led by Roosevelt (Ian Hogg).
A word of congratulations to the cast who stood in for several characters at very short notice, especially Sinead Hegarty who played Francis Perkins.

The chorus performed their numbers efficiently and as directed. Some of the numbers were a little static however, not quite the hustle and bustle we expected from “NYC”.

Congratulations to everyone involved and all of the back-stage crew. A commendable performance, the audience definitely leaving with songs ringing in their ears, along with the feel good factor of a memorable show.

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