Annie (Knowle Musical Society)

Always a great story is that of 'Little Orphan Annie' and very popular on the amateur musical circuit, the latest incarnation of which is from Knowle Musical Society running at the Core Theatre in Solihull and if you're looking for a night of great entertainment that covers the whole gamut of emotions, this is the show for you. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll probably be humming along with a number of recognisable tunes but, most of all you'll leave with a smile on your face.

Apologies to all the adults in the production but, you chose to work with children and animals so you must have known what that would mean! Absolute show stealer of course is Molly the hound in the role of Sandy, very comfortable on stage and even managed to make an appearance during one of the set changes when I am sure she was supposed to be supervised.

At this performance the role of Annie was taken by Evie-May Humphries, a confident and incredibly well projected performance supported by the orphans of Team Mop, Emily Simpson (Pepper), Daisy Green (Duffy), Chloe Richards (Molly), Hermione Nash (Tesse), Masey Potter (July), Neve King (Kate), Abbie Sayer (Sienna), Brooke Murphy (Lola) and Tianna Moyens (Nancy) selected I suspect to deliberately make the life of Miss Hannigan a misery which they do with consummate ease.

Talking of Miss Hannigan, Helen Gibbs brings some perfect characterisation to the role, frustration, some anger and perhaps just a little too much of the 'falling down water'. One might understand why she has come to the state she has when one meets her brother, the incredibly shady 'Rooster' Hannigan, played with untrustworthy style and a powerful vocal by Richard Perks and accompanied by the flighty Lily St Regis (named after the hotel it would appear, although we aren't sure which floor), played with a great deal of charm by Dani Branson.

Annie has to have a happy ending and we know that will be with tycoon Oliver 'Daddy' Warbucks, an animated and endearing performance from Laurence Marshall, alongside his secretary Grace Farrell a stunning portrayal both visually and vocally by Louise Keeling.

This is of course a team performance with an eager ensemble cast and some outstanding cameo roles to mention, Simon Chinnery's gloriously vocalised and smiling Burt Healy, Vince Holly's perfect butler Drake, David Pratt as a spirited Harold Ickes and of course the lovely Boylan Sisters (Jill Lackey, Jan Seabridge and Sue Johnson).


Why not lose yourself for a night in a classic story with some well-known tunes but, you only have until Saturday 14th March 2020 to grab that chance and a ticket.

Book Here

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