If you take the ingredients that go to put together the story of Annie, a little orphan girl, the Great Depression of the 1930’s and a gin-soaked child-hating woman, there’s not an awful lot to love there but, put them all together under the superb direction of Nikolai Foster, take the courageous step of casting a man as Miss Hannigan, employ a supremely talented cast of actors and what you then have is a fantastic, feel-good musical which, quite literally, has the audience humming the tunes as they leave the theatre.
The set is covered with the pieces of a huge jigsaw puzzle – Maybe symbolising the world economy coming apart or maybe it’s the pieces of Annie’s life coming back together, either way it works well and, with the addition of six, very uncomfortable looking, beds, makes a very convincing orphanage dormitory.
The occupants of those beds are seven rough and tumble orphan girls (yes, two of them share a bed) who, led by Annie, blast out a couple of the most memorable songs from the show. Maybe is their song of hope for a brighter happier future while Hard Knock Life brings them right back to the harsh reality of their current daily grind.
Then, following her cunning escape from the orphanage, Annie takes the stage with just Amber the dog (who plays Sandy) for company, to sing Tomorrow, an inspirational number that the amazing young actress, Sophia Pettit, belts out with the stage confidence and the pitch perfect voice of a performer very much older then her years.
Considering that the show has very little in its’ make up to laugh about, there are some great comic moments throughout and, with so many young girls in the cast, there are plenty of opportunities to ramp up the “cute” factor but, overriding all of that is a palpable feeling of the hardship and despair of the time.
Whether it is through the crackling radio broadcasts that are heard before, and during, the show or whether it is through numbers such as Hooverville, sung by the homeless of New York, there is plenty of food for thought.
Craig Revel Horwood might not be a name that springs to mind when you think of the character of Miss Hannigan but, from the moment that he bursts onto the stage, his imposing figure and acid tongue (no acting required?) emphasise what a genius bit of casting this is. An accomplished dancer and, particularly in his solo number, Little Girls, also a tremendous singer, he dominates the stage completely and switches at the drop of a hat from evil harridan to vamp.
The other members of the supporting cast are equally well cast and all perform tremendously well. As the billionaire Oliver Warbucks, Alex Bourne morphs from aloof and detached entrepreneur to loving and caring adoptive father in a very subtle and believable way. Jonny Fines and Djalenga Scott as Rooster and Lily work brilliantly together and Holly Dale Spencer is a very graceful Grace. Credit should also go to Amber the two year old Labradoodle who, as Sandy the stray dog, never misses a cue!
With so many catchy tunes, a spectacular feel good finale and such a tremendous cast, this is yet another superb production in an Eastbourne summer season that is packed with many of the very best blockbuster musicals.
Five Stars *****