They're ignoring all those things they say about not working with children and animals at the Theatre Royal this week. It’s the musical Annie and its got both in abundance. 

The story of little orphan Annie is complete with an orphanage full of little girls - and a scene-stealing dog called Sandy. 

For some people this combination will sound like sentimentality gone mad and they'll steer a wide berth.

On the other hand I'm a sucker for musicals and a big softie and - like the capacity audience on the opening night - I love it. You'd have to have a heart of stone not to have it melted by this show.

Annie has become something of a classic. It's based on the famous American cartoon which first emerged as a Broadway musical in 1977.

It came to the West End soon afterwards and it's one of those shows which is always being performed somewhere either professionally or by amateurs, simply because its so popular. Here is it again - and what a cracking show it is too.

The eternally optimistic Annie is convinced that one day her parents will return and she'll be re-united with them after 11 years.

The orphanage is awful, run by the drink sodden Miss Hannigan. Oliver Warbucks is a billionaire who decides to take in an orphan for Christmas - you've guessed!  It's Annie.

She meets the President, Herbert Hoover, and this is the time of the Great American Depression. Annie's optimism - best summed up in that hit song Tomorrow - inspires the President to launch his New Deal to get America back to work. He also helps the search for her parents.

Improbable? Yes. Ridiculous? No. This is the world of the musical where anything goes if you can convince the audience and wrap it up in tunes we'll all remember long after the curtain comes down.

On the more serious side this is a really well-constructed musical. Of course it's got the built in advantage of children - and the dog which naturally brings a gasp of delight - but there is more than that.

Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin, together with the author Thomas Meehan, have put together something which never flags for a moment and in which every song is not only memorable and enjoyable but always moves the action on. 

The lyrics are witty. For example there's one done by a kind of Andrews sisters trio called You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile. This is a spoof of a toothpaste commercial and it contains the line "Your clothes may be Beau Brummelly... you stand out a mile.... but brother you're never fully dressed without a smile." That makes me smile !

There's a strong cast of players here. I'm a huge fan of Su Pollard who made her name in television's Hi de Hi. 

They must have invented child protection laws just for Miss Hannigan - her treatment of the kids is truly dreadful and she's always drunk - but there's plenty of humour here. Su has wonderful voice and really brings so much to the part.

James Smilie as Daddy Warbucks is a big West End name. This is a portrayal of some depth as he goes from the hard nose businessman whose heart is melted by the orphan Annie whom he eventually agrees to adopt.

The opening night's Annie (there are two) was Stacey Hunt. She's 12 and a great little trouper. But a big round of applause deserves to go to the nine local girls from the United School and Performing arts from Thorpe who make up the rest of the orphans.

No allowances were needed for the opening night - indeed they were so good I thought they came with the tour. The dog's great. And the sets and costumes are excellent.

Apart from a few squeaks from the sound system - and this show is good and loud - it was a faultless first night.

Musicals are usually escapism. If you're looking for two and half hours of just that then go along, suspend your cynicism, let this show simply wash over and enjoy the feelgood factor it brings.

But be warned - you'll probably come away humming Tomorrow until at least tomorrow, if not the day after.

by Tony Mallion
 

BBCi Nottingham
Theatre Royal, Nottingham

Su Pollard storms back onto the Nottingham stage as the evil Miss Hannigan in the 25th anniversary tour of Annie.
 
It’s a hard knock life for orphan Annie, but in this new production at the Theatre Royal, she’s given a new lease of life for the next generation. Leave your troubles at the door and you’re bound to enjoy this heart-warming story. 

Annie is an orphan who longs for her parents to find her. In the evil Miss Hannigan’s orphanage, she finds hope when billionaire Daddy Warbucks invites her to his home for Christmas, promising to reunite her with her parents. Being a musical comedy there’s twists, turns and – of course – a happy ending.

Su Pollard is a Nottingham legend, given the perfect role to showcase her versatile talent as Miss Hannigan. Almost unrecognisable in a scruffy blonde wig, the actress brings years of comic timing to the stage. With a natural flair for entertaining the crowd, she gives a memorable performance.

The only problem is that once she’s off the stage, she’s missed. Though her fellow cast clearly enjoy their roles – in particular Louise English as Grace Farrell – the spark that Pollard brings fails to ignite without her.

With fond memories of the last touring production with Lesley Joseph (who’s actually next door in The Vagina Monologues), this one could do with some sharpening around the edges, in particular the design had an amateurish finish.

But for those who are looking for a good time, Annie doesn’t fail to delight. After all – where else can you see the president of the United States bursting into song? Iraq would have never happened if the Senate broke into ‘Tomorrow’ every meeting..

An excellent lead performance from Emma Hopkins – with a clear, clean voice giving a spot-on rendition of Tomorrow – is well supported by local children from The Marcia Jones School of Dance.

Wherever its faults lie, at the end of it all the audience everyone has a huge smile on their face. And when you’re “never fully dressed without a smile”.. well, you get the picture!

By Jake Brunger
 

Hull Daily Mail
New Theatre, Hull

As Everyone's favourite orphan, Annie says: "You're never fully dressed without a smile." 

And for a group of lucky girls, it is no surprise they are grinning from ear to ear.

Instead of dreaming of stardom, the girls are playing to large audiences at Hull New Theatre in the musical Annie.

The girls, from Pamela Gray Dancing School in Hull, play the orphans in the show, which stars Su Pollard.

Miss Pollard, 54, plays Miss Hannigan, the child-hating orphanage boss who tries to kidnap red-headed Annie when millionaire Oliver "Daddy" Warbucks says he wants to adopt her.

"It's absolutely fabulous being Miss Hannigan," said Su, who starred in the classic TV series Hi-De-Hi.

"She hardly ever washes and has no boyfriend. I do not have to get dolled up. She spends all her time listening to the radio.''

Su said she was impressed by the "pesky" girls, who won parts for the show by auditioning at their Anlaby Road dance school in west Hull.

"They are all doing very well," she said.

"Many of them are already quite experienced.''

Most of the girls, aged between six and 13, have been with the dance school since they were toddlers.

Teacher Pamela Gray is proud her school was singled out to be involved in the production.

"The girls have been told by the musical director how good they are," she said.

"They are loving it and can't wait for every performance."

Annie ends on Saturday, after which it will tour the rest of the country.

Teeside Evening Gazette
Forum Theatre, Billingham

Annie steals hearts

Su Pollard is superb as drink-swilling, cane-wielding orphanage matron Miss Hannigan, in this feast of family fun. But as they say: If you want top spot, never play with dogs and children.

In this superb show with a 40-strong team of super troupers, there are plenty of them to steal the limelight.

Someone who did on opening night was 11-year-old Lucy Barker, from Lincoln, who alternates in the title role with Faye Spittlehouse.

She displayed the voice and confidence to bring heaps of audience admiration.

Adding to the enjoyment is Danny, one of the dogs.

This is a Depression era story about the hopes of an orphan whose bright optimism does wonders for a mega-rich man.

The show gets added zest from recording artist turned actor Mark Wynter, who plays super-rich Daddy Warbucks as if he owns the part.

Louise English, of Bugsy Malone film fame, sparkles as Grace Farrell, who wins the heart of the billionaire.

This is a welcome production and one to be proud of, that does much justice for the cause of keeping Billingham Forum as a regional asset.

by Eddie Johnson

BBC Hereford and Worcester,
Festival Theatre, Malvern

Annie the musical is showing at Malvern Theatres and is sure to warm your heart and bring a tear to your eye.

Remember "You're never fully dressed without a smile".

"Annie" takes you with her on a colourful journey, through highs and lows, meeting friends and foes along the way, in a feast of vibrant songs, dance and costume.

On the opening night a charming, captivating and confident Emma Hopkins sang out as Annie, that although "it's a hard knock life" for her and her fellow orphans, "the sun will come out tomorrow".

Sue Pollard is in top form as the flamboyant, feisty, comical, but intoxicated Miss Hannigan, staggering to contain the orphans in her care, who constantly keep her on her toes.

The orphans (pupils of Cecilia Hall Dance Centre) are hard to distinguish from the touring cast and had only rehearsed with them for the first time earlier that day.

The pupils excel as they sing and dance to the popular tunes, and play up to the frequently scolding and scheming Miss Hannigan.

Seven year old Hannah Chester shines as the confident, challenging but very entertaining Molly, Annie's closest friend at the orphanage.

Life changes dramatically for Annie as she leaves the orphanage to spend two weeks with the billionaire, Mr. Warbucks, (played strongly but sensitively by James Smillie) who is known and loved by his staff, peers and even The President.

As Annie begins to fill his life with joy and new meaning, the audience warm to his secretary, the endearing and caring Grace Farrell (Louise English).

The conniving, colourful, but comical villains Rooster Hannigan (Matthew Hewitt) and Lily St. Regis (Melody Jones) make the show complete, alongside Annie's newly found four legged friend, Sandy (alias Danny), who befriends Annie along the way.

A feast of colour, vitality and life from start to finish, Annie is a treat for the whole family, guaranteed to fly by faster than you expect, but leaving you with a memory of a lively, uplifting and entertaining night out!

by Elizabeth Durnell

For a 12-year-old taking the starring role in a big musical on its first night, it doesn't come much more nerve-racking than having to wrestle on stage with a dog with a mind of its own. 

But that is exactly what Stacey Hunt playing Annie had to deal with last night as Danny the dog, playing Sandy (which, let's face it, must have left it confused), did his very best to put off the young star at just about every moment. 

But despite Danny not wanting to sit down for the much-awaited rendition of Tomorrow at the start or to go on the stairs for the reprise at the end, Stacey proved herself a real star by carrying on regardless.

In fact the children in this much-loved musical definitely stole the show last night. Stacey, who is touring with the show, made a loveable little orphan Annie with great expression and range in her voice. 

And, wow, the nine Norfolk girls from the United School of Dance and Performing Arts, playing the other orphans, really showed everyone just what they could do with gusto. From the opening with the gutsy It's a Hard Knock Life to another favourite, You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile, these youngsters sang their hearts out, gave us some great little dance routines and made us fall in love with them, especially the cute Molly (Emma Hume.) 

So what with Annie, Danny/Sandy the dog and nine loveable “orphans”, it was going to be difficult for any of the grown-ups to shine. 

Su Pollard as the drunken Miss Hannigan did have a good try, though, and proved herself to be a strong singer, and James Smillie brought emotion to the role of Daddy Warbucks. 

There were a few technical problems with some of the microphones but, apart from that, the sun did come out for this performance.

As for Danny the dog – well tomorrow is another day…

by Caroline Culot
 
 

Evening News 24
Theatre Royal, Norwich

Stories about ragged orphans whom fortune favours are always popular, so it's not surprising that the 1920s comic strip tale of Little Orphan Annie should eventually become the terrific musical Annie.

And what a show it is!

From the tragic orphanage to the super-rich home of Oliver Warbucks, there's sadness, laughter, lump in throat scenes and masses of neat little touches in both movement and acting. 

And it's all tied in with the historical fact of the 1930s American depression.

The star, of course, is Annie, played last night by Stacey Hunt. 

Full of cheerful confidence, well-rehearsed in the part and more than holding her own with the adults, she comes very close to stealing the show.

But you have to be more than just good to better Su Pollard, who gives far more than 100 per cent in her portrayal of the drunken, bullying and unpleasant Miss Hannigan.

She really is a superb actress with a good singing voice who, I felt, carried the show and lifted it from a very pleasing entertainment to the exciting.

I wasn't too enamoured with the sound — clear but very loud — but there's no doubt that you'll leave the theatre in a far happier state than you arrive.

by Ken Hulme
 

Thanks to the Louise English Fancentre
 

Nottingham Evening Post
Theatre Royal, Nottingham

ANOTHER TRIUMPH FOR OLD FAVOURITE

It's an old favourite and few can resist the attraction of Annie.

It's the story of the girl who lives in a New York orphanage. Her parents left her there when she was a baby and she believes that one day they will come back for her. 

By the time she turns 11, her parents still haven't returned and so Annie escapes the orphanage, which is run by the evil Mrs Hannigan.

Annie finds herself back with Miss Hannigan but her luck changes when a New York billionaire, Oliver Warbucks, offers Annie a fortnight in his sumptuous home over Christmas.

Ah yes, this is a feel-good show with a rags-to-riches story and great songs to enjoy.

This production, from Chris Moreno, is doing the rounds nationally and, as expected, gave Nottingham a stunning performance last night.

The audience was packed for the first night and was, not surprisingly, well attended by not only adults, but lots of little girls who adore the story.

The show started at the New York Municipal Orphanage in the girls annex with Annie and the orphans giving a rousing opening performance of It's The Hard Knock Life.

From The Marcia Jones School of Dance, these youngsters were a talented team, led by the energetic Emma Hopkins (from Bakewell) as Annie.

What a little star! Not only did she get the New York dialect right, she had a powerful voice and seemed to fill the stage with her charisma.

At the orphanage of course, we meet the merciless Miss Hannigan, played by Nottingham's own Su Pollard.

Despite a hesitant start, Su did a sterling job as the indomitable Miss Hannigan and gave the character great humour.

The audience loved Su, and showed their appreciation of her great portrayal of the bourbon-swigging Hannigan.

We loved her hitting Warbucks with her handbag so hard he looked like he might fall over. No sign of Hi-de-Hi at all, thank goodness. Su played the part really well, adding her own exuberance, and showing her great sense of fun.

I didn't expect it, but Su has a great voice and we enjoyed her song Little Girls when she bemoans her existence at the orphanage.

The show was fast and slick. Voices were first class. Of particular note was James Smillie as Warbucks, whose voice added real presence to the show. The musicians, led by Tim Davies, were wonderful.

Dancers were skillfully choreographed and the cast well directed. The costumes were stunning and the sets well designed.

The audience loved the stirring final scene of Warbucks home on Christmas Eve complete with a sweeping staircase and a huge tree dressed in lights. A mention also has to go to Annie's dog, Sandy, who was incredibly cute and stayed glued to the spot even when surrounded by dancers.

This is a show for the whole family - and it will put a spring in your step. My seven-year-old sang loudly throughout the show and as we left, people were humming Hard Knock Life.
 

Eastbourne Today,
The Argus, Eastbourne

The cheers that raised the roof on the first night of Annie on Monday were well-deserved for this production directed by Chris Colby. 

Two youngsters share the title role, 11-year-old Emma Hopkins and 12-year-old Stacey Hunt. 

On Monday, it was Emma's turn and it is hard to believe she is making her professional debut. This young lady has tremendous stage presence and a great singing voice. She belts out the showstopper Tomorrow like a true pro. 

Su Pollard has completely shed her Hi-di-Hi image and her role as Miss Hannigan shows what a talented all-rounder she is. She can dance, sing and act the alcoholic without going over the top. 

James Smillie was born to play Daddy Warbucks and his background is similar to the role he plays. He escaped the tenements of Glasgow to carve out a successful career in Australia before returning to Britain to become a West End star. 

One of the most poignant moments in the show comes when he sings Something Was Missing to Annie. 

Louise English is also well-cast as Oliver Warbucks' prim secretary, who blossoms into a beautiful young lady destined to become his wife. 

Another highlight of the show is Matthew Hewitt's superb dancing but he has had a lot of practice in the role of Rooster Hannigan. 

He played the same part in the 2002/3 tour and has just returned from Kuala Lumpur where he played it again in the first Malaysian production of Annie. 

The orphans all come from the Deborah Lamb Theatre School and they do their teacher proud. There is not a sign of nerves or a bad performance from any of them. To complete the line-up is a first-class chorus which helps the show zip along at a great pace. 

With attractive sets designed by Alan Miller Bunford and lighting by Graham Mclusky, this is a real feel-good show.

Evesham Journal,
Festival Theatre, Malvern

The feel-good factor of Annie was recreated for a delighted Malvern audience as part of the show's national tour.

The lead was taken by 11-year old Emma Hopkins, who gave an impressive performance as the perpetually optimistic orphan. She confidently sang, danced and skipped her way through the show like a true pro, despite this being her first professional production.

But the star of the show was unquestionably Su Pollard, who was thoroughly convincing as the vile, but essentially harmless, Miss Hannigan. Slugging her way through countless bottles of Jack Daniels, Pollard appeared to be revelling in the role as the baddie.

The performances of a well-choreographed chorus against the backdrop of imaginative sets provided the extra sparkle. Annie runs at Malvern's Festival Theatre until Saturday.

by Claire Charles