There is an old adage in theatre to the effect that actors should be wary of appearing with children or animals. Well, if last night's performance of Annie is anything to go by, I think this should be turned on its head. Youngsters too, have rights and deserve good support. | "All too often I was reminded of some of those nightmarish amateur productions one comes across." | | Clive Roberts |
We ask a great deal of children on stage in this day and age. Only last week I was privileged to see a wonderful rendition of Billy Elliot where a young Billy wowed the audience with his interpretation of a very demanding role requiring the mastery of a whole role of differing skills. Emma Hopkins, reprising the title role of Annie at the De Montfort Hall showed an equal determination to carry the show and her singing, dancing and acting could not be faulted. Lights, sound, action? Unfortunately, for much of the evening she was drowned by a raucous band whose music was amplified to such an extent that those sitting around me were completely mystified by the action which gave the impression of a mime drowned by music. The rest of the cast suffered a similar fate and it was only Mark Wynter who really seemed able to command the stage and give some credence to his character.  | | Annie and Miss Hannigan |
Nor was it just the sound that was wrong. Lighting cues were missed, and at one time both the stage and actors were plunged into total darkness. The moving of the scenery was both clumsy and inept with curtains sticking, leaving the exterior view of a terrace of houses firmly implanted at the edge of an interior scene and again the noises from backstage were intrusive on the action. All too often I was reminded of some of those nightmarish amateur productions one comes across. It's a hard knock life... The troupe of young girls recruited from the Dupont Stage School in the city worked well throughout and as always it was the youngest among them, a tiny little poppet, who stole so many of the scenes. Anita Harris, taking the role of Miss Hannigan, the cruel, uncaring warden of the orphanage, never really convinced me that she was a real nasty piece of work, her one claim to making an impact being her ability to swing a long necklace around her neck – funny the first time but boring when repeated. The thing one admires about little orphan Annie is her eternal optimism which she carries through her life, imparting it to all around her, including the President of the United States of America. She keeps reminding us that ‘The sun will come out tomorrow’ and for the sake of all those booked to see this show over the next few weeks I sincerely hope that her optimism is rewarded. This show requires tightening and the production team offstage need to get a grip! | 
