Annie Jr

Annie JR is an edited and shortened version of the original musical and is set in the 1930’s during the great depression. Orphan Annie is determined to find her parents who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of a New York City orphanage that is run by the cruel, embittered Miss Hannigan. Her luck changes when she is chosen to spend Christmas at the home of billionaire, Oliver Warbucks. The show presents an enormous challenge to a youth group as all of the characters are adults apart from Annie and the orphans and it is no mean feat to portray an adult convincingly, especially the principal roles, when you are barely in your teens. The role of Annie was superbly played by 12 year old Maddie O’Connell. She was so self assured capturing the gritty spirit, the sensitivity and the optimism of the character perfectly and her lovely singing of ‘Tomorrow’ and ‘Maybe’ was delightful. Samuel Brookes gave a confident, believable and first rate performance as Oliver Warbucks strongly portraying the disinterested and dispassionate businessman to later becoming a sensitive father figure. His secretary, Grace Farrell, was authoritatively, elegantly and charmingly played by Eleanor Mosley and Danniella Stringer was most convincing as the habitually drunk, utterly obnoxious and sometimes smarmy Miss Hannigan. Her ne’er-do-well brother, Rooster Hannigan, was excellently played by Morgan Hemstock and Phoebe Sanders, in her first principle role, was a very vampish and sexy Lily. The delivery of ‘Easy Street’ by the two of them along with Miss Hannigan , was splendidly and stylishly executed. The main orphans Ruby Tristram, Amelie Lincoln, Shannon Elmore, Lottie Stone, Abigail Ashforth and the very cute Lottie Brown as Molly were outstanding, they were all so enthusiastic, so adorable and so talented, I just loved them. Good performances came from Finley Eden (Bert Healy), Max Woodward (Drake) and the very harmonious trio (Jess Allinson, Krissy Gresty, Sydney Hemstock) as the Boylan Sisters. Admirable support, in the minor roles, came from Olivia Raybould (what a lovely singing voice she has), Joe Sadler, Archie Miller, Max Tristram, Archie Counter, Ben Thompson, Emma Nelson, Natasha Brooks and Lydia Ross and indeed from the rest of the company. The set was  very simple with scenes being depicted by the use of props and back projections. I must praise Elizabeth Brookes for co-ordinating the costumes, they were exceptional. 

Oh, I almost forgot to mention Olly, a most lovable and well disciplined cockapoo, who played Sandy and was so well looked after by Annie. Thanks must definitely go to Lucy Jennison who stood at the side of the show throughout the performance acting as a BSL interpreter - what an invaluable asset.

This was such a fun show, everyone was so enthusiastic and obviously enjoying every moment that they were on stage and every accolade must go to the production team for their commitment and dedication to these young people and also, to everyone else involved. 

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