Annie is a musical that has enthralled millions with its foot-tapping songs that can bring a tear to the eye. And last night was no different as a packed audience at Newcastle‘s Theatre Royal enjoyed a dazzling and entertaining production with classic songs Hard Knock Life, Tomorrow and Easy Street.
Set in 1930s New York during the Great Depression, the story tells of brave young Annie (played exceptionally well by the very, very talented Poppy Cunningham) who is forced to live a life of misery at Miss Hannigan’s orphanage. Poppy has a great voice and a fantastic stage presence for one so young.
She runs away and during her time on the streets, she spends time with the homeless before being arrested and returned. In a stroke of luck, Annie is picked by famous billionaire Oliver Warbucks (played by Alex Bourne) to spend a fairytale Christmas with him and his charming secretary Grace (played by Amelia Adams).
Mr Warbucks is soon charmed by Annie realising his lonely existence with his billions means nothing if he has no one to share it with. He then helps Annie to find her parents who she believes are still alive. The cruel Miss Hannigan, however, has other ideas.
The cast is led by Paul O’Grady who is utterly brilliant in the role of the gin-swigging, little-girl-hating Miss Hannigan, determined to spoil – and profit from – Annie’s search for her parents with the help of her criminal brother and his moll. Quite rightly, he got the loudest cheers of the night at the end of the production. Paul French and Billy Kay are the perfect “baddie” double act as con artists Rooster and Lily. I loved their Easy Street rendition along with Miss Hannigan, the best song of the night for me.
But enough about the on-stage adults. The biggest stars of this show are without a doubt the orphans. So a huge shout-out has to go to the amazing and talented girls who navigated big songs and dance routines with much aplomb. And we all loved Sandy the dog!
As a whole, the musical is incredible with wonderful sets and costumes, as Annie’s tale unfolds before our eyes. The standing ovation given to the cast was marvellous and an apt reflection of the entertaining performances.
I took along my friend who somehow has never seen the musical and she was sobbing at the end. I had to help her out of her seat. So when I say Annie has delighted audiences for decades and this production continues to do so, I’m speaking from experience.
Annie will be on at Newcastle Theatre Royal until Saturday March 11.
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