FORGET THE HARD KNOCK LIFE FOR A FEW HOURS
IN THE COMPANY OF ANNIE!
Just three words: ‘fab-u-lous’! Strictly’s meanest judge, Craig Revel Horwood, sashays into Milton Keynes Theatre on a wave of terrific reviews for his performance as the gin-sozzled, tyrannical Miss Hannigan in the smash-hit revival of ANNIE.
Set in 1930s’ New York during The Great Depression, plucky little Annie is living a life of misery at Miss Hannigan’s orphanage. But guess what? Her luck is about to change as she’s chosen to spend a fairy-tale Christmas with famous billionaire capitalist, Oliver Warbucks (Alex Bourne).
Meanwhile, the only Christmas spirit that Miss Hannigan tolerates comes in a bottle as she hatches a plan to scupper Annie’s happiness by foiling the search for the little red-headed moppet’s true family…
But, with her irrepressible cheeriness and her honest-to-goodness positivity, Annie still manages to inspire the U.S President, Franklin D. Roosevelt, to restore America’s economy and introduce a federal emergency relief programme. Not bad going for an 11 year old. Sounds like exactly who we need here in the UK right now.
With its Tony® award-winning book and score, including the unforgettable songs It’s The Hard-Knock Life, Easy Street, I Don’t Need Anything But You and Tomorrow, you can bet your bottom dollar that you’ll love it.
And yes, you will go home singing Tomorrow, Tomorrow, I love ya, Tomorrow, it’s only a day a-waaaay!!
Annie is at Milton Keynes Theatre until 6th July
Box Office: 0844 870 0887 or online: www.atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes
Fans of Annie the Musical will love this lively production of the show. With its great sets, its stylised choreography and its glorious music. I just think that had we been able to actually understand any of the lyrics it would have made a bit more sense. This might have been 50% down to The Milton Keynes Theatre’s inherent sound problem that many reviewers have mentioned over the years, but also to a group of actors coached in a sort of Brooklyn accent didn’t help. However accurate it might have been didn’t reach the front row of the circle!
How I wish that Drama Schools would teach their young pupils not to gabble! Same as in Matilda, our lovely young Annie seemed to rush through all lib & lyric until she came to an extended high note which she held onto in perfect pitch for as long as the musical director needed.
Have been watching productions of this show since Stratford Johns as Daddy Warbucks and before, I was hoping for more comedy from Rooster and his Blonde Bimbo girlfriend and more to hate about Miss Hannigan, in fact we rather liked her!
Whatever “it” is, I didn’t feel this production had it.
Disappointing.
Ernie Almond
Annie is at Milton Keynes Theatre until 6th July
Box Office: 0844 870 0887 or online: www.atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes
I must admit I have a great grumble about people gabbling on stage. They might know what they are saying but surely the audience need to know too. With all the amplification these days they are not taught to project their voices. Being an old stager we learnt the hard way and could even whisper to the farthest corner of the theatre. Grumble Grumble.