Annie Jr.

This summer’s Year 6 production Annie Jr., based on the popular comic strip and adapted from the award-winning best musical, is a heart-warming show set in 1933, with a timeless message about resilience, hope and the true meaning of family. The set on two levels approached by steps backed with a New York Skyline was effective and with a few smart changes of furniture by the young stage crew, moved between the Municipal Orphanage, Warbucks Mansion, and the streets of NYC.

In the opening orphanage scene Annie initially comforted Molly (well-spoken by Penelope Quinn) and very soon the girls started teasing Annie who led them in the first number ‘Maybe’  when thoughts go to her long-lost mum and dad. Milly Morgan as Annie captured the atmosphere and grew in stature as the story progressed. 

When Annie tries to escape, she was met at the door by the formidable Miss Hannigan, who ran the orphanage. Etta Mannion created a strong character clearly hating the girls with a passion, which was really good. The orphans had fun with ‘It’s a Hard Knock Life’ and soon Annie managed to escape courtesy of the laundry man Bundles (Harry Magnet). ‘Tomorrow’ was well sung by Milly and when Miss Hannigan reflected on her ‘Little Girls’, Etta showed great characterisation.

Sadly, Annie was returned to the Orphanage by Officer Ward (Rupert Higgs) but not long after, Grace Farrell appeared on behalf of Oliver Warbucks, a successful business man, looking  to give an orphan a happy Christmas. Neve Raven as Grace was well spoken with a lovely disposition and Barney Vincent as Warbucks  provided a mature and commanding presence, initially disappointed that Annie was not a boy, but soon warmed to Annie which was endearing.’ I enjoyed ‘I think I’m gonna like it here’ ‘and  then ‘NYC’ was a good closing number to Act ,during which we met ‘Star to Be’ with Gracie Tucker and her very pleasant voice. Good support also from Ted Webber, as Drake, very poised in charge of the Warbucks’ staff.

In Act 2 we met Rooster (Josh Ollerenshaw) - what a great pinstripe suit - and Lilly (Lotte Davison) who staged an impressive ‘Easy Street’ with Miss Hannigan, and with whom they were in cahoots when Warbucks offers $50,000 to find Annie’s real parents. Warbucks and Annie sang ‘You won’t be an orphan for long’ , when albeit briefly, Barney proved he also had a pleasant voice. The Orphans listen to  the radio and Bert Healy, played by Daniel Small who spoke up well.

‘You’re never fully dressed without a smile’ was a good number with the orphans led by Tessie (Clara Beecham), July (Felicity Firth) and  Kate (Hannah Cleary). Rooster, Miss Hanigan and Lily provided a fun reprise of ‘Easy Street’ and ‘I don’t need anything but you’ was very well sung together by Barney and Milly. After a brief entrance by President Roosevelt (Sevi Saroop), Rooster and Lily returned in disguise as Annie’s parents, but Grace felt she recognised them for the crooks they were and they were arrested. The Company provided a rousing finale with a reprise of ‘Tomorrow’.

The costumes looked great. Well done Clare Vickers and team. There was a couple of very brief blips with the sound, but credit to those on stage who retained their composure, just waited and  carried on. Singing to backing tracks is not easy but everyone did very well. After some presentations to the production team., the Company sang an encore of ‘Easy Street’, much to the delight of a packed audience. Congratulations to all involved.

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