Annie, New Theatre (From South Wales Argus)

Annie, New Theatre

4:10pm Wednesday 6th June 2012 in Reviews By Andy Howells

“Did you hear Annie on the radio?” yells an orphan. “Yes I heard her” shouts nasty Mrs Hannigan, proprietor of the orphanage Annie used to reside, “they’ll be making a musical of her next!”

Mrs Hannigan’s quip gets a huge laugh from the attentive audience as the Orbit Theatre’s production of that very musical plays at Cardiff New Theatre this week.

And attentive is no exaggeration, I took my three young children along to see the feel-good musical on Tuesday evening and they were instantly drawn into Annie’s rags to riches tale, The Orbit Theatre’s presentation of Annie ticks all the right boxes. The production features a strong ensemble cast lead by 16 young female singer / dancers (complete with frizzy hair and freckles) whose tight rendition of Hard Knock Life complete with mops and buckets immediately capture the imagination.

Emily Hermon delights as plucky orphan Annie, holding the audience attention with her rendition of Tomorrow. Emily gets strong support from Phil Bond’s hearty Oliver Warbucks and the fabulous Lois Banks as Warbucks assistant, the dependable Grace Farrell.

Linda Coombes adds a touch of comedy to orphanage owner Mrs Hannigan while her teaming with Dan Parker as dodgy con-artist Rooster and Jennifer Brock as his floozy Lily St Regis on the song Easy Street is a joy to witness.

Featuring dancing chambermaids, fabulous 1930s stylised sets and a familiar music soundtrack, Annie is a treat for the whole family shouldn’t be missed this half-term.

Annie runs at The New Theatre with matinee and evening performances until Saturday.