Annie

Looking through my "Annie" programmes I came across the Crucible Theatre' s production of the show for Christmas/New Year 1994/95 with John Savident (ex Coronation Street) playing Daddy Warbucks and Sheridan Smith (yes, the Sheridan Smith - who was 13 at the time) playing Annie!!!!

Annie (Kassia Hibbert) gave an entirely assured and remarkable performance - complete with a convincing spoken American accent and singing voice. There were eye catching performances also from her fellow orphans, particularly from "Molly" (the girls were not listed indivually in the programme). Mark Cunningham played an entirely believable Daddy Warbucks with a good singing voice - his "Why should I change a thing" and "Something was missing" were a delight! Clair Stokes was every bit of a loveable rogue as Miss Hannigan who had fallen on hard times - she handled the comedy lines very well and by the end of the show the audience felt sorry for her. Andrew Hibbert (Rooster), Rachel Cooper-Bassett (Lily) and Rachel Bricklebank (Grace Farrell) played their parts with good characterisation.  The other minor characters gave their all and together with the ensemble gave good performances.

Well done to Alan and Andrea Powell for their directing, choreogprahy and staging with a fairly small stage and so many members.  The orchestra played sympathetically under the direction Musical Director, Catherine Eyre. Congratulations to Cara Chester for her set design and painting - a really effective back-cloth of New York.

Keep up the good work bringing live theatre to the Dronfield community.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.