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ANNIE
Liverpool Empire Theatre
15-19 March 2011, 7.30pm (Wed & Sat mats 2.30pm)
7/10
Annie, the sophisticated musical stage show, which opened at the Liverpool Empire last night, has a long pedigree starting out as a cartoon in 1924. However, though it has survived as an ever-popular stage show since 1976 and film in 1981, the current touring presentation generally lacks some dynamism, though there are some excellent scenes.
The story opens in the New York Municipal Orphanage in 1933 where Annie has been deposited by her parents, promising to return for her. We see the dormitory where the orphans sleep and Annie is trying to comfort them.
Then enters Miss Hannigan, the stern supervisor who is always up for a swig of the bottle. Played with verve by the irrepressible Su Pollard (Hi-de-Hi) she puts in a very funny laugh-out-loud performance, which at times morphs into pantomime. Whenever she is on stage you are sure of a giggle as she acts her heart out bringing much needed comedy to the backdrop of America’s1930s depression. And her singing voice is a revelation, using it to fantastic effect.
She totters drunkenly through her scenes, often saucily lifting her dress - acting as a comic counterfoil to the stuffy and stiff entourage of billionaire Oliver Warbucks who eventually adopts orphan Annie.
Warbucks, (David McAlister (Hollyoaks, Eastenders, Mike Bassett: Manager and Brideshead Revisited) plays his role as the stern businessman, until adorable Annie (Victoria Sian Lewis) melts his heart and he transforms into a warm, funny and loving father figure – just what Annie has needed all along - and he is rich too, an added bonus in the 1930s depression where parents often left children in orphanages because they could not cope. McAlister sings and dances through many scenes, giving a strong performance, though at times wobbles on the higher notes.
We later learn that Annie’s parents have died despite many trying to claim her when Daddy Warbucks puts up a $25-grand reward for them to come forward. Dastardly duo Rooster (Philip Andrew) and sassy girlfriend Lily (Sophie McKewan) try to claim her to gain the dosh but are eventually found out and arrested, along with Miss Hannigan with whom they are in league.
Star of the show is undoubtedly red-wigged Victoria Sian Lewis, the 11-year-old orphan who gives a confident performance, her singing voice, though essentially child-like, is clear and articulate. She commands the stage and is totally assured.
Another pleasing performance comes from the always elegant Grace (Simone Craddock) secretary to Mr Warbucks. She sings and dances like a dream, and provides yet another happy ending when her boss drops to one knee and proposes.
There are a few well known sing-along tunes that are given full reign, It’s the Hard Knock Life, Tomorrow and You’re Never Fully Dressed without a Smile, often reprieved, but one feels that more are needed. The dance routines are sometimes engaging and at other times a tad pedestrian. Some smaller kids in the audience were shuffling in their seats in boredom, and the show did not really come into its stride until the 11th hour when Daddy Warbucks is seen celebrating the imminent adoption of his new ‘daughter’.
There are also two lovely doggies who steal the show Suzy (Mutt) on her fourth tour of Annie and Danny (Sandy) a beautiful Old English sheepdog on his eighth tour of the show, and befriended by Annie. These bring much needed ‘aah’ moments from the kiddies in the audience, though more could have been made of their appearances.
But although this show is still running 25 years after its stage inception and 80 years since it started out from the pen drawing of one Harold Gray, perhaps it needs to be revived and jazzed up to hold the attention of today’s modern audiences who have been spoiled by high budget productions.
It doesn’t know whether it’s an adult or a children’s show and this seems to be the problem. The mums and dads need more pizzazz and the youngsters more colour and noise. This production seems to fall between two stools.
However, last night at the Empire, it must be said that the cast were rewarded by tumultuous applause and a full house.
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