Photo Credit Paul Coltas
Annie hit the Regent Theatre this week on the musical’s 2023 tour of the UK came to Hanley. A much beloved film in 1982 starring (amongst others) Albert Finney and Tim Curry which was revived in 2014 with Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz.
Generation after generation adore the tale of the young Annie, plucked from her dreary existence in a New York orphanage which is ran by the surley, exasperated and drunken Miss Hannigan, by ‘Gracie’ who works for wealthy Oliver Warbucks. Warbucks and the confident Annie are pushed together and they soon build a strong bond. He agrees to help her to look for her birth parents, but is it to be thwarted one last time by Hannigan and her brother ‘Rooster’?.
It’s truly sparkling, from the wonderful sets and costumes, to the spectacular singing and dancing numbers which we all love so much. It has a real star quality about it. Least of all from the brilliant Zoe Akinyosade who plays the titular role of Annie with a truly commanding performance by someone so young in years.
Jodie Prenger of Coronation Street fame, plays Miss Hannigan with her archetypal whistle and gin bottle, Jodie plays the role fabulously. Her singing and dancing routines are spot on and its a fantastic performance of such a well known villainous character.
Seasoned theatre actor Alex Bourne plays Oliver ‘Daddy’ Warbucks and the rapport with Zoe (Annie) is clear to see, with fantasic fast paced energised numbers through to the lovely moments that Annie brings out in him to break through that brash exterior that Warbucks is famed for.
Annie is a show that spans the generations and you can see that with grandparents, parents and children all thoroughly enjoying the show together and all on their feet at the end. Its stood the test of time, with songs that have become legendary in status with the lyrics written into folklore and a truly feel good story.
Quite simply put, its a five star performance of a much beloved musical!
Its on until 13th May with matinee performances on Wednesday and Saturday. Tickets are available here
