Wrington Drama Club ARCHIVE Annie Review by Rosemary Hodges

	This endearing musical has great appeal - the ever-present "a-a-a-h" factor where children and also an incredibly well- behaved dog are involved. The jazz- swing music was beautifully played by the band - I particularly liked Jane Mitchell’s sensitive flute accompaniment to solo singers. We had a bravura performance from Lorraine Perry as the gin-swigging Miss Hannigan who mismanaged the orphanage from which Annie was launched into a fairy-tale life. The playing of Annie by April Kirby on the night I saw the production was sheer delight. That lovely smile, sparkling eyes and sweet voice (always sing with your eyes) wowed the audience. The other less fortunate orphans played their parts and sang beguilingly too. The role of Grace Parrel, PA to Daddy Warbucks, was played with cool elegance by Amy Bugler - loved those slinky 1930's outfits - Amy's mother was in the cast of the very first Drama Club's Christmas production. We had a nice little vignette from Steve Osman as an oh! so English butler, Drake by name, at the Warbucks mansion. With such a large cast it was difficult to keep the momentum going-there were some lovely moments shared by Daddy Warbucks and Annie - "Orphans are BOYS - this is a GIRL!". Peter Ellis got just the right mix of toughness and soft-heartedness in a well-played role. The little New York street scene outside the Roxy cinema when he eventually picked up the tired little girl and carried her off in his arms was a tear- jerking moment. The political interlude didn't add much to the story but set the scene as the USA lurched ahead of the financial collapse. (Was it just me or did you feel a certain déjà vu - all words and not much government action?) President Roosevelt certainly became the hero of subsequent years. In 2004 I stood admiring a huge statue of FDR as it gazed, seated, over Oslo harbour when three young Japanese ladies stared at it and asked me "Why? " Deep breath - but that's another story. Costumes, scenery and lighting were all of the usual high standard. The themes of innocence and optimism - "I haven't heard optimism since 1928" said somebody - were carried along with occasional hiccups. Oh well, the sun'll come up tomorrow! Thanks everyone. Rosemary Hodges [Editor’s note: Rosemary has decided to relinquish her rôle as the Journal Drama Critic so, after first thanking her for her many years of outstanding contributions, may I declare the job up for grabs? Hers will be a hard act to follow!]

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