Review of Annie Jr. by Joy Haynes
“What a tonic on a wintery November evening to be treated to such a vibrant Wargrave Youth Theatre production of Annie Jr, a slimmed down version of the hit musical Little Orphan Annie, under the Direction of Chez Annetts.
Having been left by her parents as a baby at the New York City Municipal Orphanage with a promise to return for her, Annie, played by Nancy Hughes with a perfect blend of feistiness and sweetness, was determined to find her parents. Around her neck she treasured half of a silver locket, her parents having kept the other half for when they were reunited.
Helped by the other orphans, Annie succeeds in escaping the orphanage in a laundry basket to search for her parents and befriends a stray dog whom she names Sandy, played convincingly by Finlay Skinner. Alas, she is soon returned by the Police to the Orphanage and to the care of the formidable and cruel Miss Hannigan, played by Florence Parrett with believable nastiness.
Shortly afterwards, the orphanage is visited by Grace Farrell exuding efficiency and compassion (played by Marnie Tang). Grace has been sent by the billionaire Oliver Warbucks to invite an orphan to spend Christmas at his home. Annie makes sure that she is the one chosen and Mr Warbucks, played by Charles Monte with all the authority and confidence of a wealthy American philanthropist, decides he would like to adopt Annie. But Annie is steadfast in her determination find her own parents. Warbucks agrees and offers a substantial reward for the discovery of Annie’s parents.
Back at the orphanage, Miss Hannigan has met up with her brother Rooster (a swaggering Hector Hughes ) and his girlfriend Lily, a tart played by Alice Parrett, and they plot to impersonate Annie’s parents and claim the reward. Their plan is thwarted as proof is found that Annie’s real parents had both passed away, and Annie really is an orphan and can be adopted by Oliver Warbucks. A happy ending ensues for them all, including the dog Sandy, who followed Annie’s scent until he found her.
The success of the production was not only down to the characters already mentioned. The supporting cast all played their parts with energy and infectious enjoyment. All the songs sung as solos or ensemble were a joy to listen to and were a testament to the vision and determination of director Chez to get everything right.
In addition to the ongoing, excellent backstage team, special mention should be made of the set painters for producing such realistic back drops of Broadway and of the magnificent staircase in the home of Oliver Warbucks, which tempted everyone to run up and down.
Well done Wargrave Youth Theatre for putting on such a wonderful show!”
