The production is proudly sponsored by The Greenhouse Vegetarian Restaurant
Based on Little Orphan Annie, the popular comic strip by Harold Gray, Annie has become a worldwide sensation. Winner of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, the beloved show features a wonderful score written by Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin,
including the Broadway smash hit, “Tomorrow”.
With a perfect combination of street-smarts and optimism, Annie warms the hearts of the audience as we witness her rise from next-to-nothing in New York City. She is determined to find her parents, who left her at the orphanage years ago. Though things don’t quite work out the way she has planned, she does manage to thwart the plans of the evil Miss Hannigan and find a new family with billionaire Oliver Warbucks, his secretary Grace Farrell, and her lovable pooch, Sandy.
CAST
The Child Company:
Annie – Caitlin Reeves
Duffy – Chloe Radford
July – Olivia Streeter
Kate – Anna Peart
Molly – Alice Cross
Pepper – Daisy Higgins
Tessie – Chloe Sudworth
Orphans:Rosy O’Connor, Nicole Astbury, Ellen Thomas- Anderson, Jemima Kloss, Eva Briggs, Pippa Banford, Lily Pearson, Sophie Whittingham, Grace Dougall
The Adult Company:
– Miss. Hannigan – Laura Aremia
– Oliver Warbucks – Richard Sails
– Grace Farrell – Sasha Carrillo de Albornoz
– Rooster Hannigan/ Hooverville Man – Sam Berrie
– Lily St. Regis/ Hooverville Woman – Claire Garrett
– Hooverville Man/ Fred McCracken and Wacky/
Dog Catcher/ Cordell Hull/ Servant/ New York Citizen – Chris Wagstaff
– Bert Healy/ Hooverville Man/
Assistant Dog Catcher/ Louis Howe/
Servant/ New York Citizen – Danny McCarrick
– Annette/ Star To Be/ Connie/ Hooverville Woman – Hannah Cound
– Bundles McCloskey/ Harold Ickes/ Hooverville Man/
Servant/ New York Citizen – Brendan Cunningham
– Mrs. Greer/ Sophie/ Jimmy Johnson/ New York Citizen – Samantha O’Connor
– Drake/ Henry Morgenthau/ Eddie/
Sound Effects Man/ New York Citizen – Joshua Crook
– President FD Roosevelt/ LT Ward/ Announcer/
Servant/ New York Citizen – Dave Midgley
– Francis Perkins/ Mrs Pugh/ Hooverville Woman/
New York Citizen – Sarah Reilly
– Ronnie/ Hooverville Woman/ New York Citizen – Rachel Gerring
– Bonnie/ Usherette/ Hooverville Woman/ Servant – Kitty West
– Cecille/ Hooverville Woman/ New York Citizen/
Politician – Susan Mowat
– Apple Seller/ Justice Brandeis/
Kaltenborn Voice/ Politician/ Servant/ New York Citizen – Dave Richardson
Hooverville-ites/ Servants/ New York Citizens – Rebecca Hanley, Lottie Warburton, Niamh Green, Lauren Whiteley, Ian Daubeney
Photographs by Vishal Sharma
FIVE STAR REVIEW by Nicky Lambert for North West End
FIVE STAR REVIEW by Nigel Carr for Hale and Altrincham Life
FOUR STAR REVIEW by Julia Taylor for Sale and Altrincham Messenger
The Garrick’s production of Annie is full of warmth
THE Garrick Playhouse is full of excitement as people wait to see their favourite musical and the theatre’s last production of the year, Annie.
The story about the orphan who rises from rags to riches is full of warmth and the triumph of the human spirit over adversity.
The director, Joseph Meighan, his superb adult cast and a host of little girls, not to mention a dog, win round the audience immediately.
The dog, the younger brother of the original dog who was ill, took his bow, or should I say bow-wow, by launching himself off the stage practically into my husband’s lap!
The choice of 12-year-old Caitlin Reeves as Annie is inspired. She is naively optimistic about finding her parents and keeps the other kids happy, especially nine-year-old Alice Cross who plays little Molly who misses her mummy. Caitlin can dance, and sing songs like Tomorrow with perfect diction and feeling.
Her saviour, Oliver Warbucks, is played by charismatic Richard Sails. His attraction to his PA Grace Farrell (Sasha Carrillo de Albornoz), when they dance, is clear.
All these lovely people would be boring if there wasn’t a wicked one. That comes from child hating, self-loving, gin swilling Miss Hannigan. She’s a witch in the hands of Laura Aremia who adds humour to the role.
Both the adult and junior choruses sing well and, thanks to choreographer, Alexandra Howarth, are well positioned, excellent dancers, too.
Anna is at Altrincham Garrick Playhouse until May 27. Tickets priced from 0161 928 1677.
• Star rating: ****
