Annie

Music Theatre Salisbury

City Hall

This popular musical, born out of the Little Orphan Annie comic-strip and first-performed in 1977, needs little introduction and Director Martyn Knight’s colourful show includes all the right ingredients for an enjoyable evening out with the family.

Francoise Western was admirably assured as Annie, showing no sign of first-night nerves and all her ‘Team Yellow’ orphan friends sang and danced very well.

Kate Sheppard was delightful as the alcoholic orphanage director Miss Hannigan, Robert Preedy and Laura Simmons both splendid as deadbeat opportunists Rooster and Lily St Regis and Jordan Leech was confident as secretary Grace Farrell. Russell Haugh visibly grew into his role as billionaire businessman Oliver ‘Daddy’ Warbucks and dominated the second act. Under the baton of Ian Hooper, Musical Director Liz Weager’s ten-piece orchestra was a tuneful delight, the sound was generally excellent and, although the sets were impressive and brightly lit, no doubt there will be some fine-tuning during the run.

Alan Johns