Annie

Director Tracey Loftus gathered together a very well cast team and extracted a real professionalism from all involved with good attention to detail and encouragement and discipline for all the roles. The singing very much up to standard under Steve Fordingham, strong vocals from all; and the choreography on a small stage worked well under Vikki Feetham. Those sets from Nigel and Brenda Holmes with their ‘offset’ perspective really made the Coronation Hall stage seem much bigger, and liked the side stage for Miss Hannigan’s office which curtailed the stops for scene changes. Costumes from various sources well mixed period and pleased to see extras like matching shoes and other details.

The Orphans always steal the show and deservedly so in this case, full of verve and movement and great singing, also the character development so they were indeed different and stole our hearts. What can one say about that delightful Annie from Rachel Feetham: the personality and considered interpretation of the role plus the intensity and talent on the acting and singing side, certainly a performance to relish and appreciate and challenge the adults.

More than holding her own in stage domination and in rather drunkenly running the orphanage, Louise Stevens as Miss Hannigan gave a powerful performance with belting vocals and not very pleasant character especially towards the children, and obviously much enjoyed the role (and we could almost have booed her as in pantomime). Her compatriots in crime, and song and dance, Rooster (Paul Nursey) and Lily (played at short notice because of illness by Yasmine Macklin-Page) were full of energy and cunning, slick, an excellent pair.

As Grace Farrell, Sharon Jiggins brought out all the strengths in this role which are often underplayed, her serenity and her humanity plus her business-like approach really made one notice and appreciate her and made the role more important, the vocals very strong, but mainly her caring of Annie just shone through. The relationship with Oliver Warbucks (Gerry Robins in ideal casting) worked very well, and these two certainly formed a tight-knit trio with Annie to bring out the feelings and the story. Warbucks had the right amount of authority and style and yet some underlying humility in background as he tried for the heart of a small girl, a good interpretation, and vocals, physically dominating the stage.

Smaller roles well realised in Bert Healey (Paul Reynolds with other doublings), Star to Be (Jodie Jiggins) and Roosevelt (Neil Ellson leading quite a team). Does Tony Loftus practice at home as he was such an excellent butler Drake. And of course the chorus worked hard and were in tune and in time and in place to make an enjoyable show. And how clever to find that the Jiggins’ dog was perfect to play Sandy!

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