There’s very few people that wouldn’t conjure up a little girl with freckles and curly ginger hair when given the name Annie, and my daughter and I are no exception.
The 1982 film, about the little girl with the sunny disposition despite all the odds, seems to transcend generation and gender, and my daughter even had to fight off her Dad for the second ticket to accompany me to watch the original stage production on which the film is based.
Set in 1933, Annie tells the story of an orphan, abandoned as a baby on the steps of a harsh orphanage, who never gives up hope, and battles all blows with catchy, upbeat songs, and a positive attitude that even inspires President Roosevelt.
With the songs being such favourites of ours that they feature on many of our playlists, we weren’t disappointed to find out that the tunes of the movie were all there, along with a couple of unfamiliar, but just as catchy, songs.
Mia Lakha captivated from the first minute as Annie, and sparkled with all the sunnyness the role demands, along with a voice that rivalled some of the best adults we’ve seen in shows. All the children played their roles superbly, with young ensemble pieces easily matching the energy & professional polish of the adult ones.
Of the adult stars, Lesley Joseph was very well cast for the role of Miss Hannigan, with the character’s disdain for “Little Girls” being portrayed brilliantly, and Alex Bourne (Daddy Warbucks) and Carolyn Maitland (Grace Farrell) effortlessly depicting their character’s hearts being won over by the little orphan that bounces into their lives.
The many children in the audience seemed spellbound by the tale, and with a more family friendly ending than the blockbuster movie, the shows recommended age of 5 and up means that new generations will grow up loving the story of Little Orphan Annie and her rags to riches tale!
[box type=”info” align=”alignleft” class=”” width=””] Annie is at The Regent Theatre until November 23rd, so if you want a toe tapping, feel good show then make sure to catch it before it leaves. Contact the box office on 0844 871 7649 for tickets or visit the Regent Website.[/box]
