StoryHouse, Chester – until Saturday 30th March 2019
Reviewed by Julie Noller
5*****
Back in 1982 I was an excited eight year old, I had my very first sticker book based on a much hyped upcoming film called Annie. Fast forward over 30 years and I’m now back in the very same building I first saw Annie, it’s no longer a cinema owned by a big brand but very much a local theatre putting on great shows.
Annie itself is a book written by Thomas Meehan based on an american comic strip ‘little orphan Annie’ from it’s first run on Broadway in 1977 it has remained popular with young and older audiences. There has in fact been two films produced and I was curious to see how Annie the stage musical would compare. The set and costume design by Colin Richmond is somewhat simplistic but striking, there’s bold geometric art-deco shapes from doorways to desks. The colour scheme from the dark greens of the drab, damp and somewhat depressing orphanage to the bright cheery interior of Oliver Warbuck’s 5th Avenue mansion. The costumes are all reminiscent of the era of the so called great American depression of the late 1920’s and heading into the era of Roosevelt’s New Deal which saw relief for many and brought prosperity and hope to the masses. There’s more than a hint of those big musical films that saw stars tap dancing and incredible musical numbers still played and remembered today, tap dancing sailors? Pop them in for some light relief.
Ava Smith who incidentally is on her professional debut during this current tour; is magnificent as Annie. An eleven year old orphan who despite years of hard living has remained soft at heart. In an era of depression it’s easy to lose sight of life and Annie teaches us all that there’s always Tomorrow, which is perfectly belted out. Annie has a positive effect on all whose paths she crosses. Perhaps given today’s political climate in the UK with Brexit (sorry) we should all take a dose of Annie’s realistic optimism. Ava along with fellow orphans from Team Empire State are commanding up on stage and obviously enjoying their roles greatly, Tia Grace Isaac shines as young vulnerable Molly yet to become just another statistic she just wants to have fun as all young girls do. However much the girls long for decent meals and loving homes they treat us to a rendition of Hard Knock Life, a song that has been parodied (as I note have many other songs from this musical highlighting it’s much loved popularity) in films such as Austin Powers.
Life in the orphanage is cold in more ways than temperature, run by the drunk and somewhat dippy Miss Hannigan. Anita Dobson came to fame we know playing a somewhat alcoholic pub landlady in Eastenders, so we know she is more than capable of that. She brings humour to the role and a realism that drink is quite often the way many deal with depressing times. She hates her job, she hates the girls but it also keeps a roof over her head. Miss Hannigan’s solo number Little Girls highlights this perfectly and you can’t help but chuckle at her movements. Easy Street a shared number with Rooster and Lily (Richard Meek and Jenny Gayner) highlights how the American dream of a better life turned sour so quickly with Miss Hannigan being easily manipulated by her ruthless brother.
When Grace Farrell arrives at the orphanage with a request for an orphan to spent Christmas with Oliver Warbucks, we are introduced to a person with such warmth and a desire to help by Carolyn Maitland. Business man Oliver Warbucks a man who has in his own words spent years and climbed over many people to get to where he is, is one of my favourite parts brought to life by Alex Bourne, great vocals but also a sadness that seeps through with Annie doing what Annie does best, those deep wounds slowly heal and the strikingly obvious hits me.
Annie isn’t only a story of a small orphan girls dreams for her parents to come for her, it’s about a search in us all for no matter what today brings there’s always tomorrow. Daddy Warbucks is a person who searches and truly finds himself. Annie is an absolutely smashing musical, full of big show tunes, history, characters with real depth and life. There’s sadness and happiness there’s even a dog sandy played by the lovely Amber who is returning to the role with a wagging tail and an obvious love of life on stage, which I’m sure is nothing to do with the numerous treats.
Annie is a must see for all ages, children cheered and booed throughout even singing. Whilst adults happily remembered their own childhood, some of us joined in the singing. For such a tale set at a sad time, it’s wonderful. It ends as all stories should end happily with a flourish of glitzy streamers and a singsong. Grace gets her man, Miss Hannigan and Rooster get their comeuppance. The girls from the orphanage get decent food and little orphan Annie is no more for she finally gets her longed for family.