Annie Get Your Gun

The Swanage audience warmed instantly to this production of ‘Annie Get Your Gun’ and from the stylish raising of the gorgeously colourful Big Top to the rousing finale, there was foot-tapping and laughter throughout. 

Star of the show is the talented Laura Jolly, who played Annie to perfection, catching every nuance of Annie’s wit and innocence in action and voice. Her dialogue and singing, with her clear true voice, was sweet and effortlessly expressive. Adrian Lane played Frank Butler admirably, as a jealous but charming foil for Annie’s sharp thinking and quick ripostes. Julia Gadenne was amusingly determined as Dolly Tate, and almost as skittish as the younger Winnie, played enthusiastically by Heidi Birch. Alan Aldridge doubled well as Foster Wilson and Chief Sitting Bull, delivering wit and wisdom alike.  Annie’s little brothers and sisters were lively and bright, doing what came naturally. The Ensemble dancing and Annie’s ‘I Got the Sun in the Morning’ number were particularly appealing. 

There were some first-night nerves, so dropped lines and missed cues resulted in some loss of pace and rhythm in the dialogue, and Sitting Bull lost a little volume in finding the Indian’s accent. The chorus weren't quite there in the drumming/tapping routine, and perhaps the music was a little less bright than usual, but afteral, this was a first night.

With the lovely Big Top cyclorama, a romantically gauzy candelabra-lit ballroom, a foggy New York skyline, enhanced with some beautifully-painted sharpshooter show-boards, director/designer Brenda Ridout and the lighting team, led by Thomas Curtis, created an atmospheric and appealing show.

Congratulations on a splendid production.

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