Annie theatre review: A very family friendly show and a brilliant evening of entertainment from start to finish.
Annie theatre review (UK Tour)
This is an evening full of music, song and dance. Annie is based on the book written by Thomas Meehan about the well-known children’s favorite, redheaded Annie, with lyrics and music by Martin Charnin and Charles Strouse respectively.
Craig Revel Horwood is brilliant at portraying the vile Miss Hannigan. His portrayal is completely believable as the permanently tipsy, world-weary Miss Hannigan, who oversees the daily lives of the unruly girls who call the New York orphanage home. Annie is the unwitting leader of the orphans who has a lot of fight and in her, always ready to stand her ground. A chance meeting with Grace Farrell (Holly Dale Spencer) transforms Annie’s world from one of rags to riches. Grace works as personal assistant to Daddy Warbucks (Alex Bourne) and is fresh, bright and classy. A stark contrast to the grim Miss Hannigan. Daddy Warbucks is a very strong likeable character whose heart is melted by the delightful Annie, who brings him down to earth and makes the billionaire aware of what and who really matter in life.
Annie theatre review (UK Tour)
This is a brave cast who have taken on their parts with huge success despite the fact that actors are warned to never act with children or animals – the animal is this being Sandy the dog, who melted the audience’s hearts.
This production is close to the film version of Annie and is a full-on extravaganza of song and dance that does not fail to disappoint. The characters desperation to improve their lives and the envy they have of the ‘Daddy Warbucks’ of the world is felt as the musical is set in 1930’s New York during the height of the Great Depression.
Annie theatre review (UK Tour)
The stage decoration is a modern set made up of jigsaw pieces representing the different pieces of Annie’s life. The musical setting also perhaps acts as a reminder that this is the story of a child who has been too busy cleaning and surviving life so far to have had the opportunity to have had the luxury of the time to spend doing jigsaw puzzles. This musical is a slick, foot tapping, and excellent lighthearted evening’s entertainment.
Annie is a rollercoaster ride of the highs and lows in this little girl’s life and is a brilliant evening of entertainment from start to finish with a highly skilled cast impressing you to the last. A great show that is truly suitable for all the family, and one that this sold out Woking crowd gave a standing ovation at the end.
Annie theatre review by Katey Thompson, November 2015.
Annie is running at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking until 21st November 2015, then continuing on its nationwide tour.
