Annie

This ever popular and well known musical has all the ingredients to tug at the heart strings if only by experiencing the adoring parents in the audience demonstrating their admirable delight at seeing their children on stage. Following as it does the story of orphan “Annie” and how she warms the heart of a billionaire business man, “Oliver Warbucks”.

The abundance of young performers (the evening under review team Brooklyn) playing the orphans were accomplished on stage in choreography and voice which at times was a little high pitched and a bit screechy on the ear, but their enthusiasm could not be faulted. Millie Stanway in the role of “Annie” was a delight demonstrating endearing characterisation and admirable performance ability. ‘Tomorrow’ being just one lovely musical piece.

For the most part the cast were musically strong supporting well a creditable principal line up that explored and told the story very well indeed. Michael Bentley in the role of “Miss Hannigan” gave an outstanding performance. His stagecraft make-up and costume brought the mean demanding orphanage overseer to life as he in a suitably awkward manner made for great humour and enjoyment. Jonathan Boxall – Southall in a vivid brown pin striped suit was excellent as “Rooster” in the bouncy “Easy Street” who together with Cassie Rivett as “Lily” made a formidable pairing. Richard Smith portrayed the role of “Oliver Warbucks” with just the right level of paternalistic attitude and Vicky Khawaja gave a good performance as “Grace”. Ian Thompson was excellent as Franklin D Roosevelt. Dylan Faulkner in the role of “Bert Healy” opened Act 2 confidently along with “The Boylan Sisters”  Special mention here of Hugh Duck in his role as the butler “Drake” and also his 9 year old English Setter ‘Bandit’ as a superb “Sandy” trotting in at the last minute giving a most well behaved and brilliant stage performance.

Choreography was of a high standard with some highly picturesque freeze scenes though at times there were one or two straight lines from the chorus on stage This can be a challenging show for the back stage team who by and large did a great job with one or two lengthy scene changes that at times were a bit noisy. Costumes were vivid, totally in keeping with the period and made for an overall extremely appealing look on stage

Musically the whole company delivered chorus pieces that were strong and clear especially in “NYC” and a well-balanced orchestra completed the full interpretation of this thoroughly entertaining score.

Ian G Cox

Regional Representative - Worcestershire East (District 12)

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