Annie (Trinity Musical Theatre Company)
When I’m stuck with a day that’s grey and lonely, I’m always hoping that the evening will bring something enriching and entertaining on whichever stage I happen to be in front of and on this occasion that goal was resoundingly achieved with Trinity MTC’s production of the immensely popular Annie at the Dormston Centre in Sedgley.
An opening scene populated by some quite forthright and yet captivating young ladies, led by Freya Poulton in the title role is a sight to behold, it would be too easy to focus on age and the fact that Freya is probably a little too old for the part but, she has a silky smooth vocal and an immense acting talent as within seconds I’d forgotten her age and was engrossed in her characterisation, let’s be clear that acting younger than you are is difficult, occasionally embarrassing and rarely done as well as this young actress.
Other orphans with a conversational role building that effective picture of isolation and yet being part of a team that is just finding the best way to survive are Georgia Haycock (Duffy), Beau Bradburn (Pepper), Maisie Addinell (July), Molly Bastable (Tessie), Kersten Davies (Kate) and at this performance a splendid portrayal of Molly by Connie Davies. No more obvious is their joint talent than in the iconic number ‘Hard Knock Life’, choreographed with some gusto (as is the whole production) by Zoe Russell.
Whilst without character names and individual lines, it should not be underestimated the value of the wider orphan team (at this performance, Orphan Team 2) including Ruby Addinell, Alexandra Davis, Chloe Tyler, Kayla Davison and Nicole Shingler who add something to every scene they are part of, importantly that extra power to the musical numbers.
I should of course not totally dwell on the youth talent but, equally mention the array of impressive adult performances, Lizzie Buckingham excels as Miss Hannigan both in character and voice, Chris Dowen provides a winning interpretation of Oliver ‘Daddy’ Warbucks and Emily Rabone delivers the vocal highlight of the night as Grace Farrell.
John Sheard is a suitably shady, yet musically talented Rooster Hannigan alongside a charmingly ditzy Katie Rabone as Lily St Regis (named of course after the hotel, although I’m still not sure which floor !), Patrick Lewis makes his mark in an all too brief appearance as that ‘old softy’ Bert Healy, Wayne Butler brings contrasting characterisations as butler Drake and Matt Webb is a determinedly enthusiastic Franklin D. Roosevelt.
From an extensive ensemble cast, who sadly it’s impossible to mention all by name, watch out for some really appealing cameos including Kian Terry as Fred McCracken/Harold Ikes, Jamie-Leigh Butler as A Star To Be/Bonnie Boylan and Naomi-Leeanne Millard as Mrs Pugh/Cordell Hull/Ronnie Boylan.
If you’re looking for an enchanting piece of entertainment (directed authentically by Andy Poulton and musically interpreted by Sam Deakin), one of the classics of the Musical Theatre Genre that you’ll leave after watching full of the ‘feelgood factor’, this is the one for you, so don’t leave it until ‘tomorrow’ to buy a ticket, do it now.
Book Here
An opening scene populated by some quite forthright and yet captivating young ladies, led by Freya Poulton in the title role is a sight to behold, it would be too easy to focus on age and the fact that Freya is probably a little too old for the part but, she has a silky smooth vocal and an immense acting talent as within seconds I’d forgotten her age and was engrossed in her characterisation, let’s be clear that acting younger than you are is difficult, occasionally embarrassing and rarely done as well as this young actress.
Other orphans with a conversational role building that effective picture of isolation and yet being part of a team that is just finding the best way to survive are Georgia Haycock (Duffy), Beau Bradburn (Pepper), Maisie Addinell (July), Molly Bastable (Tessie), Kersten Davies (Kate) and at this performance a splendid portrayal of Molly by Connie Davies. No more obvious is their joint talent than in the iconic number ‘Hard Knock Life’, choreographed with some gusto (as is the whole production) by Zoe Russell.
Whilst without character names and individual lines, it should not be underestimated the value of the wider orphan team (at this performance, Orphan Team 2) including Ruby Addinell, Alexandra Davis, Chloe Tyler, Kayla Davison and Nicole Shingler who add something to every scene they are part of, importantly that extra power to the musical numbers.
I should of course not totally dwell on the youth talent but, equally mention the array of impressive adult performances, Lizzie Buckingham excels as Miss Hannigan both in character and voice, Chris Dowen provides a winning interpretation of Oliver ‘Daddy’ Warbucks and Emily Rabone delivers the vocal highlight of the night as Grace Farrell.
John Sheard is a suitably shady, yet musically talented Rooster Hannigan alongside a charmingly ditzy Katie Rabone as Lily St Regis (named of course after the hotel, although I’m still not sure which floor !), Patrick Lewis makes his mark in an all too brief appearance as that ‘old softy’ Bert Healy, Wayne Butler brings contrasting characterisations as butler Drake and Matt Webb is a determinedly enthusiastic Franklin D. Roosevelt.
From an extensive ensemble cast, who sadly it’s impossible to mention all by name, watch out for some really appealing cameos including Kian Terry as Fred McCracken/Harold Ikes, Jamie-Leigh Butler as A Star To Be/Bonnie Boylan and Naomi-Leeanne Millard as Mrs Pugh/Cordell Hull/Ronnie Boylan.
If you’re looking for an enchanting piece of entertainment (directed authentically by Andy Poulton and musically interpreted by Sam Deakin), one of the classics of the Musical Theatre Genre that you’ll leave after watching full of the ‘feelgood factor’, this is the one for you, so don’t leave it until ‘tomorrow’ to buy a ticket, do it now.
Book Here
Thanks for the review Tim, and thanks for the support as always.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome Andy. Just for info, you might want to try and up the volume on stage particularly during the musical numbers, Sam and his musicians were drowning out the voices in some songs, especially noticed it in NYC. I was sitting right behind Sam to be fair so probably not acoustically the best location. Just might be worth considering.
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