ANNIE: Meehan, Strouse, Charnin, Tours
ANNIE: Book Thomas Meehan, Music Charles Strouse, Lyrics Martin Charnin
Tours
Runs: 2h 35m, one interval
Review: Rod Dungate, Belgrade Coventry, 1 October 2002
25 yrs old and can still weave its magic: Su Pollard in top form.The most optimistic of all optimistic musicals, ANNIE, now more than 25 years old, continues to waft its spell. It has lively numbers, a heart-string pulling story and . . . most importantly . . . children and a dog.
ANNIE is set in the American depression. orphan Annie goes to spend Christmas with the fabulously wealthy Warbucks who adopts her. Attending one of President Roosevelt's cabinet meetings she even saves the country's failing economy by reminding the President 'The sun'll shine tomorrow'.
The young people in the audience don't notice the unlikelihood of this political doctrine and adore the archetypal story of poor orphan who's saved into wealth and comfort.
Su Pollard leads the team in a more than whole-hearted performance as Miss Hannigan. It's vintage Pollard, great fun to see live and it's a shame the role doesn't offer her even more opportunities. She has a deliciously raunchy singing voice and I particularly liked her trio with arch villains Rooster (Matthew Hewitt) and Lily St Regis (Amanda Sim).
Young Jemma Carlisle brings a great naturalness and charm to Annie in a role that could otherwise be unbearably saccharine. Mark Wynter is a genuinely warm and friendly Oliver Warbucks.
Annie: Jemma Carlisle
Tessie: Lucy Barker
Miss Hannigan: Su Pollard
Bundles McCloskey: James Gavin
Apple Seller: Ian Angus Wilkie
Dog Catcher: Nathan Dowling
Assistant Dog Catcher Dayle Renton
Officer Ward: Michael Morgan
Sophie: Christina Thornton
Grace Farrell@ Louise English
Drake: Ian Angus Wilkie
Mrs Pugh: Christina Thornton
Mrs Greer: Dayle Renton
Annette: Lyndsey Ellis
Cecille: Elysia Lawrence
Oliver Warbucks: Mark Wynter
A Star To Be: Dayle Renton
Rooster Hannigan: Matthew Hewitt
Lily St Regis: Amanda Sim
Bert Healey: James Gavin
Fred McCracken: Michael Morgan
Jimmy Johnson: Ian Angus Wilkie
Sound Effects Man: Mike McRae
Hour of Smiles Producer: Christina Rhornton
Bonnie Boylen: Lyndsey Ellis
Connie Boylen: Dayle Renton
Ronnie Boylen: Elysia Lawrence
RDR Christopher Marlow
Ickes: Michael Morgan
Howe: James Gavin
Hull: Mike McRae
Perkins: Christina Thornton
Morgen Thau: Nathan Dowling
Marine Guard: Stefan Carpino
Justice Brandeis: Michael Morgan
New Yorkers/ Hooverites/ Warbucks Staff: Stefan Carpino, Nathan Dowling, Lyndsey Ellis, James Gavin, Mike McRae, Dayle Renton, Christopher Marlowe, Ian Angus Wilkie
Sandy the dog: Danny
Mutt the dog: Sparky
Producer: Chris Moreno
Director: Chris Colby
Choreographer: David Kort
Lighting: Graham McLusky
Sound: Jamie Farr
2002-10-02 10:00:36