Annie (Kinver Light Operatic Society)

One of the old faithful musicals that's still as relevant and entertaining as the day Harold Gray's 'Little Orphan Annie' jumped from the pages of the New York Daily News on to Broadway in 1977. It's a credit to Kinver Light Operatic Society as a collective and to the undoubted skills of Director/Choreographer Adam Partridge that they have been able to bring the relative confines of the stage at Kinver High School to life with a production equally compelling.

Spearheading a talented cast is Anna Watkins in the title role, a challenging character for anybody and embraced with some classy acting and stellar vocals. It seems unfair not to provide a mention for a team of orphans played by some prodigious youth talent, a group of girls who during their ensemble scenes lit the stage up, I'll be surprised if we don't here something special about one of these names in the future, Natasha Mitchell (an uber confident Molly), Katie Tranter, Scarlett Moreton, Neve Pilliner, Hatty Humpherson (there's a powerful voice inside this little lady), Esme Lloyd, Courtney Bull and Charlotte Hipkiss. Annie is touring professionally again in 2019, perhaps there is an opportunity for a team audition and take these talents to the next level.

Never act with children or animals they say, so perhaps this is an opportune moment to mention canine star Poppy Houlston, stealing the show as Sandy, minimal entrances but, probably the greatest audience reaction.

So to the adult cast and an enigmatic, professional performance from stage stalwart Steve Humpherson as Oliver 'Daddy' Warbucks building a great relationship with Miss Watkins and the rest of the cast. Some intense and highly comic characterisation from Claire Jackson as orphanage caretaker Miss Hannigan. Stunning vocals from Melanie Glazzard as Grace Farrell, personal assistant to Warbucks and some nice interaction and playful villainy from Ricky Dowell (Rooster Hannigan) and Jennie Wall (Lily St Regis).

There is a gifted supporting cast who all add something to the performance, not least of all the almost omnipresent Terry Gormley as radio host Bert Healy and a very 'cool’ New York Cop amongst many cameo character appearances.

Whether you’re looking to make your way down to ‘Easy Street’ or spend some time at The Roxy in NYC, make sure you get to see this production before the run finishes on Saturday 19th May 2018.

Book Here

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Kipps - The New Half a Sixpence (Tinkers Farm Opera)

Calamity Jane (Cradley Heath Amateur Operatic Society)

Cats (Vic's School of Musical Theatre)