‘Annie is one of those shows that leaves you with a glow’
Scene from Annie, running at Hull New Theatre this week(Image: supplied image)
Fittingly, the sun has come out today while I’m writing this review, as predicted by a little red-haired girl with a big voice who planted the seed of hope in all hearts at Hull New Theatre last night. The stage was set with a dingy and sparse dormitory but that was soon to change as the cast of Annie lit everything, even the darkest corners of Miss Hannigan’s hateful orphanage, with their beautiful performances.
The children, led by Bibi Blossom Stockley-Wesbster in the title role, were a joy to watch as, regardless of their dire circumstances under the controlling, gin-swigging Miss Hannigan (Claire Sweeney), their unfailing spirit shone. There is still satisfaction to be had in small rebellions, and bigger ones as ever-optimistic eleven-year-old Annie holds onto hope her birth parents are out there, and will one day turn up for her.
Escaping briefly onto the streets of New York City, amid the Great Depression, Annie finds and adopts a stray dog she calls Sandy (also played beautifully last night by Dizzy the Cockerpoo for whom lots of awws were reserved). Back in the clutches of “Aggie” Hannigan, played oh-so-sweetly by Sweeney, Annie gets the chance to spend the two weeks of Christmas with billionaire Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks (Alex Bourne), an experience designed to bolster his public image but one that proves life changing for him personally, for his household, and for Annie.
There are heartwarming scenes, as Annie experiences loving attention, as well as the comfort of a new coat, and is royally entertained by Mr Warbucks and his secretary Grace Farell (Tanisha-Mae Brown), who acts as a mother-figure to the orphan. With Mr Warbucks offering to adopt Annie, she still insists on trying to find her real parents, and the billionaire offers a major reward via a radio station (prepare for some audience participation) to anyone who can prove parentage of the child.
It leads to a villainous plot by Miss Hannigan, her shady brother Rooster (Christian Cooper) and his girlfriend Lily (Amber Kennedy), to pose as Annie’s parents, long-lost to Canada. But hurrah, the con is exposed in the nick of time.
The production is packed with great music, song and dance and a cast who to my eyes and ears were spot-on with their delivery, and so entertaining. I loved the costumes, the sets, everything.
Annie is one of those shows that leaves you with a glow, from the uplifting songs – you’ll still be singing one of them as you exit the theatre, no doubt – to the courage and resilience of the young characters in a story that’s all about never giving up, especially on hope.
Annie is running at Hull New Theatre until Sunday, September 13.