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"Annie"
takes you with her on a colourful journey, through highs and lows,
meeting friends and foes along the way, in a feast of vibrant songs,
dance and costume.
On
the opening night a charming, captivating and confident Emma Hopkins
sang out as Annie, that although "it's a hard knock life"
for her and her fellow orphans, "the sun will come out tomorrow".
Sue
Pollard is in top form as the flamboyant, feisty, comical, but intoxicated
Miss Hannigan, staggering to contain the orphans in her care, who
constantly keep her on her toes.
The
orphans (pupils of Cecilia Hall Dance Centre) are hard to distinguish
from the touring cast and had only rehearsed with them for the first
time earlier that day.
The
pupils excel as they sing and dance to the popular tunes, and play
up to the frequently scolding and scheming Miss Hannigan.
Seven
year old Hannah Chester shines as the confident, challenging but
very entertaining Molly, Annie's closest friend at the orphanage.
Life
changes dramatically for Annie as she leaves the orphanage to spend
two weeks with the billionaire, Mr. Warbucks, (played strongly but
sensitively by James Smillie) who is known and loved by his staff,
peers and even The President.
As
Annie begins to fill his life with joy and new meaning, the audience
warm to his secretary, the endearing and caring Grace Farrell (Louise
English).
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| Annie
with Sandy |
The
conniving, colourful, but comical villains Rooster Hannigan (Matthew
Hewitt) and Lily St. Regis (Melody Jones) make the show complete,
alongside Annie's newly found four legged friend, Sandy (alias Danny),
who befriends Annie along the way.
A feast
of colour, vitality and life from start to finish, Annie is a treat
for the whole family, guaranteed to fly by faster than you expect,
but leaving you with a memory of a lively, uplifting and entertaining
night out!
Review
by Elizabeth Durnell from Stourport.
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