If like me you will know the story of Annie and will have seen the movie from 1982, but to see the story on the stage brings Annie The Musical to a new audience and last night I headed over to Venue Cymru in Llandudno to see the show.
Directed by Nikolai Foster, Annie tells the story of brave young Annie in 1930’s New York, during The Great Depression, when she is forced to live a life of misery and torment at Miss Hannigan’s orphanage. Determined to find her real parents, her luck changes when she is chosen to spend Christmas at the residence of a famous billionaire, Oliver Warbucks. Spiteful Miss Hannigan has other ideas and hatches a plan to spoil Annie’s search…
Annie the Musical is based on the award-winning book by author Thomas Meehan and the superb accompanying score is by Charles Strouse with lyrics by Martin Charnin, the show features all the unforgettable songs ‘It’s the Hard Knock Life’, ‘Easy Street’, ‘I Don’t Need Anything But You’ and of curse ‘Tomorrow’.
Annie The Musical at Venue Cymru, Llandudno
As the audience settled into their seats for the evening’s entertainment the set could already be seen, six beds were on the stage, setting the scene for the night, an audible newscast was being played while we took our seats.
Just before Annie the Musical was about to start the six children took to their beds ready for an evening of delightful entertaining music and laughter.
The show kicks off with the musical number “Maybe” an introduction to Miss Hannigan, brilliantly played by Craig Revel Horwood, he certainly makes the role his own, giving that Revel Horwood twist, delightful and comical to watch.
Getting the crowd even more excited was the “Hard Knock Life” performance, with the children using buckets and floor brushes to bang along with the song, it not only looked brilliant it sounds brilliant as well, these kids are very talented and I would like to say that they stole the show, but there is another cast member that melted the hearts of many of us during the evening, that would have to go to Sandy, played by Amber, a wonderfully cute five-year-old Labradoodle.
The Annie the Musical cast all work together so well, the children certainly have some great presence on the stage with each other and so do the adult cast, Craig Revel Horwood plays a great Miss Hannigan, Alex Bourne is great as Daddy Warbucks and I have to say that I much prefer his take on the character over the 1982 movie version played by Albert Finney.
Last night’s show for me was one that I thoroughly enjoyed, with brilliant music, choreography by Nick Winston and a beautifully set and costume designed by Colin Richmond, the lighting design by Ben Cracknell works so well to bring the various moods of the performances and sound design by Richard Brooker brings Annie the Musical to the stage with pazazz.
Annie the Musical is a fun show to see and last night’s performance got a standing ovation from a very happy audience.
You can bet your bottom dollar you won’t want to miss when ANNIE the Musical at Venue Cymru until Saturday 18th May 2019. Tickets are available from www.venuecymru.co.uk and via the Box Office on 01492 872000.
Tomorrow, Tomorrow - Annie The Musical at Venue Cymru
Event Title: ANNIE The Musical at Venue Cymru, Llandudno
Event Description: Annie the Musical has a standing ovation on opening night at Venue Cymru in Llandudno, check out the review of the show on Blazing Minds
Start date: May 15, 2019
End date: May 18, 2019
Location name: Venue Cymru
Address: The Promenade, Penrhyn Cres, Llandudno LL30 1BB
Karen Woodham is the founder and owner of the Blazing Minds. She is also a Cinema reviewer and works with RealD 3D reviewing the latest 3D releases and IMAX, she has also had several articles published in various publications including the first edition of SFW Magazine. In 2015 she became an Award Winning Blogger and also has her website listed as one of the UK’s Top 10 Film Blogs.
