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Based on the comic strip Little Orphan Annie created by Harold Gray in the 1920s, Annie -which is currently running at The Liverpool Empire – has become a firm favourite with audiences all round the globe. Abandoned on the steps of the Hudson Street Orphanage New York, Annie spends her days with the other orphan girls cleaning and sewing under the watchful eye of the horrible Miss Hannigan. But Annie is tough and is determined to find her parents and with the help of billionaire Oliver Warbucks and his secretary Grace Farrell she sets out to do just that.
The children outshine the adults in this tightly choreographed production. Playing the roles of the orphans are Team Liberty – six energetic and very confident girls ranging from seven through to twelve. Not a word or step out of place and seven year old Andie Jordan who plays little Molly, looks so natural on stage despite her young years. A very strong ensemble that do very well to keep up the energy and pace through the many musical numbers.
Anya Evans is Annie, a strong and confident youngster who takes everything in her stride. The scenes between her and Alex Bourne who plays Daddy Warbucks are some of the more poignant in the show and despite Evans’s tender age of only 12, there is a real depth to her character that makes her performance very watchable.
Perhaps one of the more memorable characters in this story is Miss Hannigan, a perfectly evil character and one that Lesley Joseph plays brilliantly. Her routine of Easy Street alongside Jonny Fines as Rooster and Djalenga Scott as Lily is very fast and jazzy and one of the highlights of the show.
There is something for everyone one in this production. From the evil Miss Hannigan and her brother to the feisty kids determined to break free from the confines of the orphanage. The many musical numbers from Hard Knock Life to Tomorrow will have you singing and it all comes together to produce a very entertaining family show.
Annie
The Liverpool Empire Theatre
7 March – 12 March, 2016
PR Rating: ****
Tickets: http://www.atgtickets.com/venues/liverpool-empire/