Annie Get Your Gun at the Liverpool Empire Review
Annie Get Your Gun
Liverpool Empire
5-9 August 2014
Reviewed by Debbie Tasker
Myself and my granddaughter were very pleased to be invited to the opening night at the Liverpool Empire of Annie Get Your Gun this week. We picked the tickets up and waited for the auditorium to open. It was a wet and humid night and the foyer was getting very full so we decided to wait outside. It was announced at 7.15 that the doors were now open (a little late for a 7.30 start I feel), we came back inside and found there was a scramble going on to find seats. At no point while we were looking for ours, as were many others, did I see any ushers on hand to help out. Having settled into our seats the show began just a couple of minutes late which was a surprise to me considering the chaos a few minutes before.
Annie Get Your Gun is based on the book by Herbert and Dorothy Fields. This timeless classic was first performed in 1946 with music and lyrics from Irving Berlin and staged by Rodgers and Hammersmith. From our experience of this fantastic show it has stood the test of time and hopefully will carry on doing so.
The story follows the stormy relationship between uneducated country girl Annie Oakley, played to perfection by Emma Williams and the sharp shooting suave ladies’ man Frank Butler, whose character is portrayed by Jason Donovan, as they perform together in Buffalo Bills Wild West show and while doing so fall in love.
The show opens with a brilliant rendition of ‘No Business Like Show Business’ and all the cast (minus Annie) are introduced one by one under the spotlight. This sets the scene for the next two and a half hours which incidentally flew by as it was so much fun. There are plenty of toe tapping numbers including I’ve Got The Sun In The Morning, Old Fashioned Wedding and the superbly performed by Williams and Donovan Anything You Can do – I have never heard anyone hold a note as long as Annie does during this spot.
The stage is a vibrant big top with a few props for different locations. There is a scenes announcement at the end of every set which is very helpful. All costumes are bright and true to the era. I absolutely loved the ladies dresses and boots which were colourful and flamboyant. Annie’s transformation from an unwashed, unkempt haired tomboy to a beautiful young lady was fantastic (she sure does scrub up well!). The excellent orchestra is on stage and split into two half on each side placed at the back. Everything ran smoothly and the choreography is well thought out performed perfectly.
The whole cast is solid. Kara Lane’s portrayal of Dolly is funny and witty while at the same time coming across as a vile jealous over the hill assistant of Frank is very convincing and I enjoyed her performance immensely. Norman Pace (of Hale and Pace fame) as Buffalo Bill Cody also deserves a mention. But by far the stand out performance is Emma Williams she shines like a star throughout and deserves special praise.
Annie Get Your Gun is suitable for all the family. There was a wide age range of audience and everybody was enjoying the timeless classic. I would certainly encourage you to get tickets and go along.
Abby, aged 11 (she insisted on doing her own review)
Me and Nana had a lovely time watching Annie Get Your Gun. Annie is wonderful and her little brother Jake is cute and funny. I liked all the gun shooting and also the dancing. I know the song Anything You Can Do and it was very funny.
We both rate it a big 4.5 out of 5.
Rating: 4.5/5
Tickets cost from £10 to £33.90 (plus £2.85 transaction fee).
Annie Get You Gun is at the Liverpool Empire until Saturday 9 August 2014. For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 0844 8713017.
Liverpool Empire Theatre, Lime Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, L1 1JE | 0844 8713017
