Annie at Curve Theatre Leicester, 28th February 2023, Evening Show
Review:
What an exciting show, it was full of energy and bursting with talent. It is such a wonderful timeless classic show that never disappoints and this production didn’t let me down either.
Our Annie played by the delightful Zoe Akinyosade was cast perfectly, she was so delicate and precious in her portrayal, she carried the character wonderfully. She was really funny and had the best delivery for her jokes and made me laugh, she had so much personality that she brought to the character. She was so likeable and was such a pleasure to see as Annie. Her singing voice was incredible and so sweet, I loved hearing her sing. I also really liked how she managed to handle Amber playing Sandy so confidently and naturally. I loved her interactions with the other characters she was amazing with the other children, with Roosevelt and the ensemble.
Daddy Warbucks played by Alex Bourne was amazing he captured this role perfectly down to a tee and was always meant to be Daddy Warbucks. He brought so much charm to the character capturing every feature of this rich stern man, that becomes gentle and loving thanks to a wonderful young girl; he portrayed it all perfectly. His voice was outstanding wow could he sing what a pleasure his voice was to hear. I adored his connection with Zoe/Annie it was such a perfect connection, you could feel the growth between them and his character learning to love with this wonderful child. The waltz scene was gorgeous the two of them together was so beautiful and such a soft delicate, beautiful scene.
Grace played by Amelia Adams was gorgeous, her voice was stunning and she was perfect for the role. I loved her sweet connection with Zoe/Annie the two were so adorable together and I also really loved how she was with Alex/Warbucks you could see the flicker there between the characters and they worked so well together.
I saw an incredible group of Orphans and let me tell you wow were these children talented, not only did each girl have incredible singing voices, the choreography that they did throughout the show was outstanding and they had so much prop work too. They were all such a perfect mix of adorable, cheeky, naughty and funny. Each one was cast so perfectly. I loved it when they were on the stage performing, such talented young girls. They captured my attention from the start as they came out to start, but had to wait due to audience not being ready in time, each of them laid in those beds playing in character the whole time, they were amazing as they had to wait for a very long time before top of the show started, such incredible girls. (To see who I saw I highlighted them in the cast list)
Craig Revel Horwood managed to make the role his own, bringing his very own version to life of Miss. Hannigan. He was clearly having the time of his life in this role, he was funny and worked really well with the kids and with Rooster and Lily. Rooster played by Paul French and Lily played by Billie-Kay were really funny and they worked well together, they were a little inappropriate at times especially for a family friendly show, they could have done with toning it down a smidge. I did notice Paul/Rooster did lose his accent at times it kept slipping. Easy street was amazing, they all did such a great job, the choreography was amazing and so funny, each of them worked off of each other so well.
The ensemble were a wonder to watch, wow so much exceptional talent on that stage. Every single number and sensational choreography and this cast were perfection, they blew me away at each one, I adored watching them dancing. They all played so many characters, so many quick changes for this cast and they were all incredible. I was so mesmerised by this ensemble, I loved them all so much, so talented. I think my favourite ensemble dance was the Christmas scene that incorporated the children as-well, the choreography was so crazy and looked so hard but was a joy to watch. I also really love the Burt Healy radio scene it was such a wonderful scene in the show Lukin Simmonds who played Burt Healy had captured the essence for the character, the era, the style he needed, he was perfect for the role, he was a joy to watch and so entertaining. I really loved all the choreography in this show, each member did an incredible job and were so talented, capturing so much magic.
The set was really interesting, with the puzzle pieces all around, it was a very minimalist set with mostly props pieces big and small being brought in and out, with clever lighting tricks on the stage. I did find a few of the props were inaccurate to the era but that’s a minor issue, just something I noticed. I honestly wasn’t a fan of the wigs at all unfortunately, they just didn’t look good and Annie’s though loved the touch of having it be the right hair texture for the actress it was just so not pretty at all and just looked really bad. The show was very loud, from the extremely loud radio recording playing as you walk in to the theatre to the really loud music throughout and the added loud whistles. I think just turn them down a bit and they would have been perfect, they were just a little too loud.
Overall I had such an incredible night, the entire cast were so outstanding, the songs were all beautiful and sang so beautifully, it was so funny and so heartfelt. The talent on that stage was outstanding and the choreography was insane and I loved each part of it. I had a really great time and really loved this show so much. The tour is just starting so make sure when it travels to your area you go and see it, trust me you don’t want to miss this wonderful show you will love it so much just like I did.
Cast:
Zoe Akinyosade, Harlie Barthram, Poppy Cunnigham as Annie
Alex Bourne as Daddy Warbucks
Craig Revel-Horwood, Paul O’Grady, Jodie Pregner, Elaine C Smith as Miss Hannigan
Amelia Adams as Grace Farrell
Paul French as Rooster
Billie-Kay as Lily
Suki Hillier, Chloe Angiama, Karin Narumi as Molly
Chloe Raphael, Ellicia Simondwood, Chanai Owusu-Ansah as Pepper
Marlie Love, Caitlin Cole, Lyla Semper as Duffy
Lola Green, Jasmine O’Riordan, Gracie Hodson-Prior as Kate
Isobel Stanish, Jessica Rodgers, Georgie Fisher as Tessie
Kayla Kuranga, Bella Rose Hambi Roche, Ava Masters as July
Amber, Darcy, Boris, Lily as Sandy
David Burrows as Lt Ward, Franklin Roosevelt & Jimmy Johnson
Tommy Wade-Smith as Dance Captain, Butler, Fred McCracken & Howe
Lukin Simmonds as Bundles, Bert Healy, Ickes & Butler
Alastair Beattie as ENSNBC Producer, Apple Seller, Butler & Hullemble
Martin McCarthy as Drake
Rosalind James as Sophie, Mrs Pugh & Frances Perkins
Phoebe Roberts as Cecille, Connie Boylan & Assistant Dance Captain
Dawn Williams as Annette, Star to Be, Bonnie Boylan & Morganthau
Emily Barnett-Salter as Mrs Greer & Bonnie Boylan
Ellie May-Wilson as Swing
Belle Kizzy Green as Swing
Matthew Sweet as Swing
Sergi Ibanez as Swing
Orchestra:
Joshua Griffith – Musical Director & Keyboard
Tom Chester – Assistant MD & Keyboard
Oliver Copeland – Double Bass & Bass Guitar
Tommy Clayden – Drums & Percussion
Katie Wood – Clarinet, Flute & Bass CLT alto Sax
Mark Harrison – trumpet & Flugelhorn
Rhiannon Harrison – Trombone & Euphonium
Juliet Leighton-Jones – Violin
Stephen Hill (for Musician’s U.K. Limited) – Orchestral Management
Crew & Creatives:
Thomas Meehan – Book
Charles Strouse – Original Music
Martin Charnin – Original Lyrics & Original Production Directer
Nikolai Foster – Director
Colin Richmond – Set and Costume Designer
Nick Winston – Choreographer
George Dyer – Orchestrations and Musical Supervisor
Ben Cracknell – Lighting Designer
Richard Brooker – Sound Designer
Simon Gooding – Production Manager
Alexandra Sumner Hughes – Assistant Director
Megan Loch – Assistant Choreographer
Chris Winn – Associate Lighting Designer & LX Programmer
Chris Campbell – Associate Sound Designer
Beth Eden – Casting Director
Debbie O’Brien – Children’s Casting Director
Joshua Griffith – Musical Director
Michael Garrison – Producer
David Ian – Producer
Resident Production Team:
Sue Berry – Company Manager
Michaela Powell – Resident Powell
Ashley Pollitt – Stage Manager
Jessica Cooper – Deputy Stage Manager
Beth Brown – ASM Book Cover
Jake MacPherson – ASM Book Cover Design
Amber Waller – Technical ASM
Lauren Street – Technical Swing
Joey Warrington – Technical Swing
Harry Regan – Head of Sound
Jeremie Ndombashi – Deputy Head of Sound
Aaron Carter – Head of Lighting
Harry Preece – Deputy Head of Lighting
Chloe French – Lighting Assistant
Hilda Greenwood – Head of Wardrobe
Jess Siddall – Deputy Head of Wardrobe
Katie Dover – Wardrobe Assistant
Beverly Chorlton – Head of Wigs
Stacie Smith – Deputy Head of Wigs
Bobbie Gadd – Wigs Assistant
Emily Armitage – Head Chaperone
Sue Stephens – Deputy Chaperone
Cassie Bramford – Travel Chaperone
Lorraine Jones – Travel Chaperone
Mark Thompson – Tutor
Suzy Cole – Dog Handler
Cindy Sharville – Doh Handler
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