Annie UK tour
The award-winning Broadway musical “Annie” opened in 1977 and has pretty much been running somewhere ever since. It was based on a 1924 comic strip, which was based on an 1885 poem. When you first hear “Annie” you immediately envisage a girl with bright red hair wearing a bright red dress singing about “Tomorrow”. It’s like a sugar-coated, all-American, female version of “Oliver” – a story about an abandoned orphan that triumphs. Although it’s set during the great depression, it’s not as gritty as the Dickensian Oliver.
Taking on the mantle of the cutesy heroine in this current touring production is Zoe Akinyosade (one of three Annies) in a delightful performance. She is sent to stay with billionaire Oliver Warbucks (David Burrows at this performance) who has a requested an orphan to stay with him for the Christmas holidays as a PR stunt.
Craig Revel-Horwood plays the gill-swigging evil Miss Hannigan who runs the orphanage in a performance very reminiscent of a Disney villain (I’m thinking Madame Medusa from The Rescuers). It was great to see him in performance mode rather than sat behind the Strictly desk and he fully throws himself into the role (you almost forget that it’s him!). Hannigan is accompanied in her dastardly schemes by her brother Rooster (Paul French) and his girlfriend Lily (Billie-Kay) – a wonderful double act.
Another stand-out performance was Amelia Adams who plays Warbucks’ assistant Grace Farrell. She was a delight to watch and beautifully-voiced.
And of course we must mention Lily the dog (again one of three) who provided the cutest aspect of the show as Sandy.
The stars of the show are the children though who are fantastic. They shine in “Hard Knock Life” and especially the wonderful “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile”.
It’s always great to see the number “NYC” in the stage show (it was replaced in the 1981 movie by the inferior “Let’s Go To The Movies”) and it is performed here in all its full production number glory. A highlight.
A feel-good show that leaves the audience “dressed with a smile”.
*the performance was dedicated to Paul O’Grady (who was alternating the role of Miss Hannigan) who sadly died last week.
4 stars. Don’t wait ‘til tomorrow, book today!
