Alex Bourne in Annie at the Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury and Touring. Picture: Paul Coltas
Annie continues at the Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury until 19 March, then on tour until 11 June 2016.
Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩
However cheesy and sentimental the story of little orphan Annie becomes in this much-loved musical, first on Broadway just under 40 years ago, the message that “the sun will come out tomorrow” is one that stays with you long after the curtain has come down.
Nikolai Foster’s charming staging (originally created at the West Yorkshire Playhouse) has been on the road since 11 July last year and it’s not showing any signs of travel sickness. The director has found the right balance between paying respect to the spirit of the original piece by composer Charles Strouse, lyricist Martin Charnin and librettist Thomas Meehan, but at the same time still adding a fresh, contemporary edge.
Foster is very much helped in this venture by choreographer Nick Winston who brings a flair, energy and seamlessness to a number of the set pieces – N.Y.C, with its improvised handsome cab at the close, being just one example
The dance moves also allow an outstanding bunch of orphans to inject oodles of fun and attitude into such well-known numbers as ‘Hard Knock Life’ and ‘You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile’.
These youngsters’ performances are on the money throughout, which means the grown-up performers have to raise their game too. Fortunately, on the whole, they do just that, thanks to a hardworking ensemble of talented all-rounders. Amidst the smaller roles both Matthew Hawksley as Oliver Warbucks’ butler Drake and Callum Mcardle, playing US president Franklin Roosevelt, both stand out. Sweet-voiced Holly Dale Spencer also presses all the right buttons as a delightful Grace Farrell.
However, as the villainess of the piece (following in the footsteps of, amongst others, Craig Revel Horwood), actress Lesley Joseph rather lets the side down in the role of drunk and dastardly orphanage manager Miss Hannigan. For a start, Joseph’s accent is more Chigwell than Manhattan, which jars with the very convincing work from the rest of the cast, and there is a lack of conviction in her solos.
It’s only when she dreams of ‘Easy Street’ alongside Jonny Fines and Djalenga Scott – suitably slimy as hustlers Rooster and Lily – that Joseph begins to let go and adds some real personality to her portrayal.
Best of all though is the work of Alex Bourne’s Daddy Warbucks and Annie (on this occasion played by Madeleine Haynes), the little girl who makes him realise there is more to life than big bucks. If all of the three Annie actresses currently on tour are as assured and talented as Madeleine, then this production should continue to do well across the UK [the other actresses playing Annie are Elise Blake and Anya Evans].
Madeleine has a fabulous singing voice and does well to bring both the light and shade of the book to the fore, but she is very well supported by Bourne’s Warlocks – so assured in the world of business, but awkward when having to confess his affection for Annie. This sweet bond between a father and daughter is best expressed during Act II’s ‘Something Was Missing’, a truly touching scene and a real highlight of the evening.
All of the above is enhanced by Colin Richmond’s colourful set, hinting at the journey Annie is going to make from the orphanage to her new home, cleverly lit by Ben Cracknell. And a special mention should also go to MD George Dyer and orchestra who do an excellent job bringing the score to life (complete with a few classic New York musical references).
Lisa Martland
SHARE THIS POST:
Comments are closed.