![](https://www.sardinesmagazine.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Annie-UK-Tour-2023-Craig-Revel-Horwood-Miss-Hannigan-and_Standard.jpg)
Show: Annie
Society: New Victoria Theatre (professional productions)
Venue: New Victoria Theatre. The Ambassadors, The Peacocks Centre, Woking, Surrey GU21 6GQ
Credits: Book by Thomas Meehan. Music by Charles Strouse. Lyrics by Martin Charnin. Produced By Crossroads Live with Exposition Productions. Directed by Nikolai Foster. MD Joshua Griffith.
Type: Sardines
Author: Paul Johnson
Performance Date: 19/06/2023
Annie
Paul Johnson | 21 Jun 2023 00:15am
The one and only Craig Revel Horwood. Photo: Birmingham New Theatre
Annie is seen as one of the cheesiest shows you can do, probably because it’s the perfect vehicle for female-rich youth groups and drama schools. Some would say it has been ‘done to death’ while others might see it as an easy option.
Well if you’re thinking of producing this show in the not-too-distant future then you really must catch this touring show either in Woking this week or elsewhere on this tour.
Craig Revel Horwood stars as the alcoholic Miss Hannigan and not only has a nice pair of legs but the Strictly judge has sublime stage presense. He really needs a performer who isn’t intimidated to give as good as he gets. Step forward Paul French last seen in Woking as Kenicke when Grease came to town not to long ago. He even took the role to the West End’s Dominion Theatre where he gave a gritty performence ful of grease (of course) as well as plenty of engine oil. French brought his streetwise experience this week to star as Rooster, Miss Hannigan’s brother. Whatever you think of Miss Hannigan, it’s true that Revel-Howood has managed to give her a likable twist, something that Aggy’s brother missed out on in the gene pool. Also Billie-Kay as Lily St, Regis (not an easy role to take on) gives a fine performance working with two such performing powerhouses as Revel-Horwood and French.
I had to get that out of the way first because the real stars of the show are the seven ‘little girls’ on show. Raw, natural and rough around the edges. Brilliant! And as for Annie herself… what a voice that Curve’s artistic director, Nikolai Foster, has found. Foster’s brief must have been that he didn’t want ‘stage kids’ in the show, but ones who just want to have a good time – and take direction well. Revel Horwood doesn’t ever ‘strike’ the oprhans but rather enjoys stashing away bottles of Gin whenever ‘she’ gets the chance.
Annie (harley Barthram) goes off to spend Christmas with Daddy Warbucks (Alex Bourne) thanks to his super efficient PA Grace Farrell (Amelia Adams) who is quite beautiful, mind you we never see Warbucks kissing her as that might detract from the plot. The shows earns its fourth star for several reasons. Foster’s direction is original, evident and subtle; the production’s strength in depth, from the stars right down to the doubling of the ensemble – New Yorkers during the great depression in Hell’s Kitchen to Warbucks’ overfilled house of staff; lastly, I cannot omit MD Joshua Griffith from the praise because he was really into it, especially the kids, He certainly made sure that they all gave the best moments. Likewise, the vastly experienced Colin Richmond deserves great plaudits for his authentic set and constume design. Matilda Wormwood, eat your heart out!
Such moments include the show’s popular songs such as Hard Kock Life, Tomorrow, the much reprised Maybe and NYC. Even Theadore Roosevelt got in on the action when Warbucks and Annie came to a meeting.
It really matters not a jot that Annie’s tradional red hair didn’t really go with her dark skin but it did matter that it looked unkempt, or that Foster managed to get ‘Sandy’ (either a Golden Retriever or a Labrador) to run across the stage virtually in between every scene (that what it felt like anyway).
It maybe cheesy but it’s also brilliantly directed and acted. NYC even gave a friendly nod to the legends that are Gene Kelly, Fank Sinatra and Jules Munshin in On the Town when three sailors popped up in the first act. it’s probably a completely different feel with Jodie Prenger or Elaine C Smith in the role of Miss Hannigan (they share the role at certain parts of the tour) or even one of the other two girls playing Annie but I’m a very happy reviewer tonight.