Harlie Barthram and Alex Bourne in Annie at the Milton Keynes Theatre and Touring. Picture: Paul Coltas
Annie continues at the Milton Keynes Theatre until 12 August 2023 and then tours until 25 November 2023.
Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
A heartwarming retelling of the classic musical, Annie hits the stage at Milton Keynes Theatre this week. Starring Strictly Come Dancing judge, Craig Revel Horwood as Miss Hannigan and a cast of talented stars, the family-friendly show has something for everyone. Expect old-school musical theatre pizazz with powerful singing voices performing your favourite Annie songs and incredible dance routines that will have you craving more.
The Tony Award-winning book and score follows little orphan Annie as she tries to escape the horrors of Miss Hannigan’s orphanage by trying to find the parents that abandoned her 11 years before. Set in 1930s New York amidst The Great Depression, Annie’s future looks brighter when billionaire Oliver Warbucks (Alex Bourne) invites her to spend Christmas with him at his luxurious home. Besotted with the characterful young lady, Warbucks helps Annie with the search for her family, but Miss Hannigan and her scheming brother, Rooster (Paul French) have other ideas.
The show experience starts as you enter the auditorium with a grand set that’s framed by puzzle pieces, each picturing important parts of the story from the New York setting to a map depicting Annie’s journey. The show opens in the dormitory of the orphanage with the most incredible young actors blowing away the audience with their acting, singing and dancing. From the outset, you know that you’re in for a good time. Led by Harlie Barthram as Annie, it’s hard to take your eyes off the talented youngsters that play Annie’s fellow orphan friends.
As expected, Craig Revel Horwood has phenomenal stage presence and expertly depicts the villainous Miss Hannigan with her drunk and deluded antics. But praise cannot only be given to the famous face, as the entire cast exudes flair and ability that makes this a five-star show from beginning to end. In particular, Bourne as Warbucks and Amelia Adams as his assistant Grace Farrell bring warmth and heart to the performance. You really are gunning for the heroes of the plot.
Every scene of the story is also accompanied by an incredible ensemble, seamlessly switching from playing the homeless giving Annie a warm meal, to the people of NYC and Warbucks’ charming household staff. There isn’t a step out of place in every routine and the songs are all pitch-perfect.
The production values of Annie are the cherries on top of a rather excellent cake. From the impressive set and costumes designed by Colin Richmond to the orchestra led by musical director Joshua Griffith, Nikolai Foster’s staging is a feast for all the senses. Even if you’ve seen Annie before, this production can’t be missed – it’s joyful, entertaining and packed full of humour.
Hannah Grimmette
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