Phoenix Musical Theatre
The Barrington Centre & Theatre, Ferndown
Carole Gadsby
3 October 2024
Here’s hoping you don’t have to wait until tomorrow for the sun to shine, Annie delights audiences once more on a local stage. The Production Team headed by the Director Hilary Baker did a really good job to bring this show with its large cast to the stage of the Barrington Theatre. Alice Weller, the Choreographer had everyone moving around the stage in their various roles. She did a particularly good job with the opening number ‘Hard Knock Life’ the children jumping on and off their beds. Laura Ruff, Musical Director and Matt Timms Orchestral keyboard lead were superb in the overture and indeed throughout the whole show.
The musical is set in New York during the Great Depression of the 1930’s and centres on Orphan Annie who is living miserably in Miss Hannigan’s Orphanage and plotting to run away. Whilst on the run she picks up a stray dog whom she calls Sandy, played by Bruce who seemed to have no stage nerves but was certainly looking for his treats.
Annie is then selected to spend Christmas with billionaire Oliver Warbucks and Secretary Grace Farrell. She is whisked around New York on luxury shopping trips, pampered by the household and generally spoiled. Mr Warbucks forms a bond with the child and makes plans to adopt her, ultimately Annie asks for help to locate her parents. Mr Warbucks with the help of President Franklin D Roosevelt begins a search by offering a reward to the parents if they can prove themselves. In the meantime, Miss Hannigan’s brother Rooster and sidekick Lily have returned and hatch a plot to identify as the parents and take the cash. The ‘Happy Ever After’ is sadly her parents died soon after she was born and however she gets to live with Daddy Warbucks.
Annie was played superbly by Roxie, she has an adorable quality with good acting skills and delivered an excellent performance throughout, bringing tears to the eyes of the audience during her rendition of ‘Tomorrow’. David Cooper gives a strong vocal and acting performance as Oliver Warbucks and you can feel the connection between him and Annie. Savannah Urch who played Grace Farrel was confident in her role and gave a very warm performance.
Julie Gower as Miss Hannigan had great acting skills and delivered her numbers with gusto and enthusiasm. Her character acting was indeed believable and it was evident she had a connection with the children. Duncan Sayers as Rooster and Charlotte Prosser as Lily relish their villainous characters and were deliciously unlikeable. The trio had a super time performing ‘Easy Street’ which was indeed one of the stand-out numbers of the show.
Undoubtedly the show-stealing performances come from the Bronx Team playing the orphans alongside Roxie’s Annie. They were super, full of energy whilst singing their hearts out to the well-loved songs.
The production of Annie by Phoenix Musical Society was a sincere effort that brought a sense of community to the stage. It was heartening to see performers of all ages come together to tell this classic story, with the youngest actors playing the orphans bringing a great deal of energy and enthusiasm to the stage. Stage crew were very quiet however they need to speed up their scene changes but I am sure it was first night nerves.
The older performers, including some who are clearly seasoned in life, like me, brought extra warmth and charm to the production. While the acting and vocal skills varied across the cast, the intergenerational dynamic added a lovely layer of authenticity to the performance. It was clear that for many, the joy of being part of a shared creative effort outweighed any technical shortcomings.
The director deserves credit for bringing together such a diverse group of performers and telling the story of Annie in a very authentic and touching way. This version of ‘Annie’ was a testament to the joy of local theatre. it reminded us of the power of theatre to bring people together and create something special, no matter the skill level.
Annie plays at the The Barrington Centre & Theatre, Ferndown until Saturday 5th October, including a Saturday Matinee