By Lucas Heap
Everyone’s favourite red-headed orphan Annie is back with a dazzling UK theatre tour. Starring Strictly’s Craig Revel Horwood as the obnoxious, gin-swilling Miss Hannigan, it’s a great family show that everyone will enjoy.
Set in 1930s New York during the depression, Annie the Musical sees poor orphan Annie break free from the brutal hands of harridan Miss Hannigan and her orphanage to search for her real parents.
But Craig Revel Horwood isn’t the only star of this show.
ORPHAN ANNIE IS SUPERB
Zoe Akinyosade, who played Annie on the night we visited, was fantastic. Likewise Alex Bourne who played the wealthy businessman Oliver ‘Daddy’ Warbucks. He was totally engaging and a much more gentle version of the character than I’ve seen compared to other productions. The relationship between the two was truly endearing and culminated in a tear-jerking hug that really felt deserved by the end of the show.
Amelia Adams is also a very welcome addition to the cast playing Mr Warbucks’ loving secretary Grace Farrell. She’s marvellous at portraying the maternal side of the character. But she also nails the subtle adoring looks to Warbucks that, of course, he’s too busy to notice until the very end. Both are beautiful, accomplished singers too.
All of the other orphans were also extremely talented. And the rest of the cast did a sterling job of supporting with style. Musical numbers like It’s the Hard Knock Life were a joy to listen to. And to watch. The choreography managed to captivate a sense of child-like play whilst being top-notch and professional. That’s no mean feat with a cast so young.
Annie’s rendition of Tomorrow, sang while she fed treats to lovable scruffy stray dog Sandy melts the heart. There were gasps from children in the audience and a few whispering asks to parents of: “is that a real dog!?” Indeed, Sandy raises a smile every time he trots across stage on his travels between acts. This, along with the cast singing You’re Never Fully Dressed Witout a Smile were high points in the show.
A colourful, loudly entertaining happy-go-lucky stomp, we’re gunning for Annie all the way. For a feel-good night of entertainment, Annie the Musical is definitely worth a watch. So why wait for ‘tomorrow’ when you can buy tickets today?
Annie the Musical is on at Wales Millennium Centre Cardiff until 8 July – you can book tickets and find out more here
Pictures by Paul Coltas.
Author Lucas Heap is a BA Acting student at Guildford School of Acting and a social media ambassador and member of the National Youth Theatre