REVIEW
✭✭✭✭☆ 4/5
ANNIE
Cliffs Pavilion, Southend
18-22 July 2023
✭✭✭✭☆ 4/5
ANNIE
Cliffs Pavilion, Southend
18-22 July 2023
I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve seen this musical both on tv and on stage. You would think that it may be getting a little stale but the truth of it is, this is a classic tale that still has the power to captivate an audience.
Set in 1930s New York during The Great Depression, the original story of Little Orphan Annie has been worked and re-worked throughout the years within its specific genres, but one thing is for certain, Annie remains forever the red headed, feisty yet endearing 11 year old girl, on a mission to find the parents who abandoned her and to escape the life of misery from the New York orphanage from hell, run by the spiteful Miss Hanningan.
Good fortune strikes, however, when famous billionaire, Oliver Warbucks, invites one of the orphans to spend a fairytale Christmas at his huge residence and Annie is chosen, however, Miss Hannigan has other ideas and hatches a plan to spoil Annie’s search for her true family.
There are jigsaw pieces surrounding the set, a metaphor for the puzzle that is Annie’s life journey, as she attempts to put together the pieces. On stage there are beds and the show begins with the orphans waking up in the orphanage.
There are lots of children in the audience who are clearly there because they love the music and songs from the films and Harlie Barthram who played Annie on the opening night at Southend’s Cliffs Pavilion, doesn’t disappoint in the leading role, alongside the talented girls who play the other orphans. Within the first half hour of the show they have already faultlessly belted out Maybe, Hard Knock Life and the classic song which will more than likely be an ear-worm for the rest of the week, Tomorrow.
Best known for Strictly Come Dancing, Craig Revel Horwood returns to play the sardonic Miss Hannigan once again, and gives a great performance as the boozy, but strangely likeable baddie as she teeters across the stage… “this plice is loike a pig stoy!”… and also wows with some terrific dance routines; Easy Street alongside cohorts Rooster (Paul French) and Lily (Billie-Kay) being one of many that will impress. This also goes for the whole company where we have some fantastic dance numbers highlighting the talents of Nick Winston's choreography. The fabulous ensemble are full of pizzazz and NYC and You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile, are brilliantly staged, as is the Bert Healy Radio Show which scene transitions to the orphans on their sewing machines in another great number.
Alex Bourne, has to be the definitive Daddy Warbucks having played the role so many times both on tour and in the West End and once again delivers an enchanting performance. Amelia Adams delivers a lovely performance and shows off some impressive vocals in her role as Warbucks’ assistant Grace Farrell.
Director, Nikolai Foster, has stayed true to the original story of Annie and although there are lots of sugary sweet numbers in the show, there are also parts that reflect the awful events that were taking place during the time Franklin D Roosevelt was President of the USA. It shows what a tough time it was for a society that was dealing with poverty and neglect and the set and costumes reflect this well. That said, this is a show full of uplifting song and dance numbers which truly embraces the tradition of magical musicals. My only criticism would be that there were places where diction lacked clarity but this could just be a first night sound issue.
The Cliffs Pavilion was pretty busy on opening night and, if you’re bringing small children, it may be wise to come a little early to grab your booster seat and check out the merch stall which was heaving with goodies including a cuddly Sandy who fans will know is Annie’s pet stray dog. Sandy in the show is played by the hugely cute and huggable Amber, an 8 year old labradoodle who, according to her bio in the programme, is delighted to be back on stage, especially as she gets lots of fuss and treats from the cast! Sounds like a great gig to me.
Don’t miss Amber, Annie and the rest of this fabulous cast in Annie the Musical playing at Southend’s Cliffs Pavilion all this week.
For tickets go to https://southendtheatres.org.uk/online/tickets-annie-southend-2023
Set in 1930s New York during The Great Depression, the original story of Little Orphan Annie has been worked and re-worked throughout the years within its specific genres, but one thing is for certain, Annie remains forever the red headed, feisty yet endearing 11 year old girl, on a mission to find the parents who abandoned her and to escape the life of misery from the New York orphanage from hell, run by the spiteful Miss Hanningan.
Good fortune strikes, however, when famous billionaire, Oliver Warbucks, invites one of the orphans to spend a fairytale Christmas at his huge residence and Annie is chosen, however, Miss Hannigan has other ideas and hatches a plan to spoil Annie’s search for her true family.
There are jigsaw pieces surrounding the set, a metaphor for the puzzle that is Annie’s life journey, as she attempts to put together the pieces. On stage there are beds and the show begins with the orphans waking up in the orphanage.
There are lots of children in the audience who are clearly there because they love the music and songs from the films and Harlie Barthram who played Annie on the opening night at Southend’s Cliffs Pavilion, doesn’t disappoint in the leading role, alongside the talented girls who play the other orphans. Within the first half hour of the show they have already faultlessly belted out Maybe, Hard Knock Life and the classic song which will more than likely be an ear-worm for the rest of the week, Tomorrow.
Best known for Strictly Come Dancing, Craig Revel Horwood returns to play the sardonic Miss Hannigan once again, and gives a great performance as the boozy, but strangely likeable baddie as she teeters across the stage… “this plice is loike a pig stoy!”… and also wows with some terrific dance routines; Easy Street alongside cohorts Rooster (Paul French) and Lily (Billie-Kay) being one of many that will impress. This also goes for the whole company where we have some fantastic dance numbers highlighting the talents of Nick Winston's choreography. The fabulous ensemble are full of pizzazz and NYC and You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile, are brilliantly staged, as is the Bert Healy Radio Show which scene transitions to the orphans on their sewing machines in another great number.
Alex Bourne, has to be the definitive Daddy Warbucks having played the role so many times both on tour and in the West End and once again delivers an enchanting performance. Amelia Adams delivers a lovely performance and shows off some impressive vocals in her role as Warbucks’ assistant Grace Farrell.
Director, Nikolai Foster, has stayed true to the original story of Annie and although there are lots of sugary sweet numbers in the show, there are also parts that reflect the awful events that were taking place during the time Franklin D Roosevelt was President of the USA. It shows what a tough time it was for a society that was dealing with poverty and neglect and the set and costumes reflect this well. That said, this is a show full of uplifting song and dance numbers which truly embraces the tradition of magical musicals. My only criticism would be that there were places where diction lacked clarity but this could just be a first night sound issue.
The Cliffs Pavilion was pretty busy on opening night and, if you’re bringing small children, it may be wise to come a little early to grab your booster seat and check out the merch stall which was heaving with goodies including a cuddly Sandy who fans will know is Annie’s pet stray dog. Sandy in the show is played by the hugely cute and huggable Amber, an 8 year old labradoodle who, according to her bio in the programme, is delighted to be back on stage, especially as she gets lots of fuss and treats from the cast! Sounds like a great gig to me.
Don’t miss Amber, Annie and the rest of this fabulous cast in Annie the Musical playing at Southend’s Cliffs Pavilion all this week.
For tickets go to https://southendtheatres.org.uk/online/tickets-annie-southend-2023