Annie – Milton Keynes Theatre
Book “Little Orpan Annie”by: Thomas Meehan
Music: Charles Strouse
Lyrics: Martin Charnin
Director/Choreographer: Roger Hannah
Choreographer: Roger Hannah
Reviewer:Maggie Constable
The Public Reviews Rating: 
At Milton Keynes theatre just for this week we have Annie the musical. Starring Su Pollard and David McAlister, this is one of the most successful and enduring musicals of all time. Now it is back on tour giving a whole new set of audiences a chance to hear some of those songs they’ve heard so often on light entertainment shows and on recent Andrew Lloyd Webber search-for-a-star shows like “Joseph” or “Dorothy”. It is the very sweet story of wee orphan Annie, a story and about never giving up hope. Annie is a gutsy 11-year-old orphan who has been left on the steps of a New York City orphanage run by the wickedly mean and corrupt Miss Hannigan. Annie is determined to find her real parents. We follow her many and hilarious adventures as Annie spoils the evil plans of the cruel and devious Miss Hannigan and her conniving brother, Rooster. This show has been winner of some 9 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and it certainly has one of Broadway’s most famous and memorable scores, including such songs as ’It’s a Hard Knock Life’, and the ever so-optimistic ‘Tomorrow’.
I approached the theatre with some ambivalence, given Annie’s reputation for being somewhat cheesy, if not saccharin, but neither of these two adjectives were apt for the performance I saw. We opened into the orphanage with some great routines by the children (from the Diamond Dance School) and a beguiling turn from the youngest , a tot with blonde bunches who certainly knew how to act and could hold her own! Their singing and dancing for “It’s A Hard-Knock Life” were polished.
Soon there appeared the dastardly Miss Hannigan, played by Su Pollard. Improves with stage and with age seemed very appropriate here! Despite initial dropping of the NY accent and a few’ Hi Di Hi’—type lilts, Su Pollard played this role extremely well-the archetypal baddy- and produced an excellent comic turn. Miss Hannigan’s under-sexed, mean and lush aspects were brought out perfectly and amusingly, and the repartee with various other characters, including her brother, Rooster(Phillip Andrew), worked well for me. Her singing voice was a very pleasant surprise.
David McAlister as the likeable business tycoon, Oliver Warbucks, was very believable and his rapport with Annie and with Miss Farrell very credible. He was warm and funny with plenty of stage presence and a rich singing voice.
Annie herself, who is played by Molly Low, Victoria Sian Lewis and Lydia Tunstall across the nights, was delightful with lots of umpah and not too much of the afore-mentioned saccharin. Indeed, her rendition of “Tomorrow” was spot on. She will go far!
The lovely Grace Farrell, Warbuck’s P.A, was acted by Simone Craddock who was light and refreshing and nicely understated in the role. She too has a good voice and moved very, pardon the pun, gracefully!
There were some funny parts and jaunty moments from characters such as Drake(Ashley Knight), the butler, with his jaunty jumps and funny faces. Lots of applause too for the little old lady of the Warbucks household, a small but sweetly amusing character. And let’s not forget the wonderfully calm actual dog-bravo!
The choreography and direction, both by Roger Hannah, were sharp and witty. Some superb dance sequences in the scenes in the Warbucks salon. The set (by Alan Miller Bunford) was very atmospheric, especially the scenes in NY and the amazing Warbucks home It really gave us a glimpse of the period, and was deftly manoeuvred. Lighting, by Pete Watts, was used to great effect, particularly the spots. Music, directed by James Dunsmore, was just right and it was fabulous to have a live and professional orchestra.
This is not just the story of a young orphan girl but also a comment, in Dickensian style, on the depression era under Hoover and the hope felt when Rossevelt (Joe Connors in this production) came to power. Very reminiscent of recent times in the U.S! The social comment really worked well for me.
A thoroughly fun and enjoyable evening’s entertainment, obviously enjoyed by all present. Go see it-there’s always Tomorrow!
Runs until Sat 4th September
Tags: Alan Miller Bunford, Annie, Ashley Knight, Charles Strouse, David McAlister, Lewis Mark Crossland, Lydia Tunstall, Martin Charnin, Milton Keynes, Molly Law, Pete Watts, Phillip Andrew, Roger Hannah, Simone Craddock, Su Pollard, Thomas Meehan, Victoria Sian
12:05 pm on September 1st, 2010
This was my 8 year old daughters 1st trip to the theatre and it will be fondly remembered.
The show was amazing, as was the atmosphere!
Definitely one for the whole family. You’ll be singing “Tomorrow” for months to come!