Review: Annie

Musical: Annie
Venue: Quarry Theatre, West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds, UK
Date: 24th November 2011 at 19:00
Adult Cast: Sarah Ingram (Miss Hannigan), Duncan Preston (Oliver Warbucks), Verity Rushworth (Grace Farrell), Emma Barton (Lily), Darren Bennett (Rooster), and Sevan Stephan (Franklin D. Roosevelt) with Wayne Fitzsimmons, Keri Flanagan, Paul Hazel, Kirby Hughes, Philip Marriott, Amira Matthews, Martin Neely, Alwyne Taylor and Vicki Lee Taylor
Children Cast (Team Empire State): Sophie Downham (Annie), Beth Tetley (Molly), Elin Gilbert (July), Ruth Kelner (Tessie), Hannah Kilcoyne (Pepper) Etta Mukasa (Kate), Grace Tattersall (Duffy), Erin Chapman, Jamada Goodison, Grace Hadabora, Elise Johnson, Gabrielle Johnson, Hollie-Ann Lowe, Olivia Midgley, Ruby Moran, Leah Sheldon, Hollie Smith, Phoebe Tissiman and Melinda Alice Trott with Button (as Sandy)
Rating: *****

Review:
Last Thursday, I visited the West Yorkshire Playhouse for the first time for their production of Annie. Coincidentally, 24th November was the birthday of Martin Charnin, the lyricist of Annie as well! The production that I saw was on its last preview day and, to be honest, I wasn't sure what to expect of the production.

What I noticed was that they opened the theatre door so late, only about 20 minutes before the show started but once I stepped inside the theatre, I understood why and I was really impressed. First of all, I really like the layout of the theatre which is a steep slope looking down onto the stage. There on stage, you'll find all the children sleeping in their beds in the Orphanage, with the ambience of New York City street in the background and it stayed like that until showtime. I really admired these little girls who were able to stay in character that long before the show began.

Inside the Quarry Theatre

 And from the moment the overture played, we were in for a real treat and I can say that Annie was one of the best things that I've seen this year. True, the storyline was cheesy and so unreal, but the sincerity and optimism of the piece totally drew you in. I have never listened to the whole music of Annie and I must say that I enjoyed the music a lot and all the songs were performed beautifully by the cast.

Sophie Downham and Phoebe Roberts share the role of Annie in this production and Sophie Downham along with the children cast of Team Empire State were at our performance. Sophie was a wonderful Annie and a strong actress herself. She portrayed the different emotions of Annie very well and on top of that, she had a beautiful voice and brought the house down with her rendition of "Tomorrow" (while managed to keep Sandy on her leash).  I also enjoyed her "Maybe" and its reprises very much.

The rest of the girls were also wonderful and should they pursue their career in musical theatre, I'm sure that they would all go far. I noticed that one of the sewing tables' wheels fell off during "You're Never Fully Dressed without a Smile" but the girls were able to continue the number and wheeled the table out (with the remaining 3 wheels) as if nothing happened. Now that's a true actor!

Sophie Downham as Annie with Sandy

 The adult cast proved to be no less talented. Sarah Ingram totally owned the show as Miss Hannigan. Her comedic timing as well as her solo "Little Girls" were perfect. Darren Bennett and Emma Barton played Rooster and Lily and they acted the hell out of the role and their performance of "Easy Street" (with Sarah Ingram) was a true showstopper in Act One. Duncan Preston was a very good and warm Oliver Warbucks while Verity Rushworth's beautiful soprano voice and loveable character suited the role of Grace impeccably. Sevan Stephan played the officer in Act One and F.D.R. in Act Two and though the role was quite bland and cheesy, I think he pulled it off pretty well. On top of all that, we had a very strong ensemble, most were West End veterans which ensured their quality performance both in acting (in multiple roles) and singing.  


I also admired the production and sceneries design of this show by Colin Richmond. And I think it works really well on the Quarry Theatre stage. Had it played on normal rectangular stage such as Manchester's Palace Theatre (where it played for a week before opening in Leeds), the production would have looked too ordinary. Moreover, and I don't say this often, I really like Nick Winston's choreography and blocking in this production. The lighting design by Guy Hoare was also beautiful and suited the show.

Overall, I had a great time at Annie and would not hesitate to recommend the show to everyone. If you need to pick a show for this Christmas, Annie's the one! Annie runs at Quarry Theatre, West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds until 21st January 2012. Seating recommendation from me is Price Tier B, Quarry Right side, a few rows back, maybe around D-F and get seats on the aisle. Perfect view! Avoid rows A-C as there are lots of dry ice and smoke in this production. For those allergic to smokes, get seats further back.

SCENES & MUSICAL NUMBERS
ACT ONE
Overture... The Orchestra
 
The New York City Municipal Orphanage
Maybe... Annie
It's the Hard Knock Life... The Orphans
It's the Hard Knock Life (Reprise)... The Orphans

St. Marks Place, New York City
Tomorrow... Annie

A Shanty Town Underneath the 59th Street Bridge
Hooverville (We'd Like to Thank You, Herbert Hoover)... The Homeless

Miss Hannigan's Office
Little Girls... Miss Hannigan

Oliver Warbuck's Mansion
I Think I'm Gonna Like It Here... Grace, Annie and Warbucks' Staff

New York City Theatre District
N.Y.C.... Warbucks, Grace, Annie and the People of New York

Miss Hannigan's Office
Easy Street... Miss Hannigan, Rooster and Lily

Oliver Warbucks' Mansion
You Won't Be an Orphan for Long... Grace, Warbucks and Warbucks' Staff

ACT TWO
Entr'actre... The Orchestra

N.B.C. Recording Studio
Maybe (Reprise)... Annie
You're Never Fully Dressed without a Smile... Ensemble

The Sewing Room at the Orphanage
You're Never Fully Dressed without a Smile (Reprise)... The Orphans

The White House
Tomorrow (Reprise)... Annie, F.D.R. and Staff

Oliver Warbucks' Mansion
Something Was Missing... Warbucks
I Don't Need Anything but You... Warbucks, Annie, Grace and Warbucks' Staff
Annie... Warbucks' Staff
Maybe (Reprise)... Annie
A New Deal for Christmas... Warbucks, F.D.R., Grace, Annie, The Orphans and Warbucks' Staff