Reviewed by Emily Crombie
Annie opened at the King’s Theatre in Glasgow last night for its week-long run, starring Anita Dobson as Miss Hannigan and Alex Bourne as Daddy (Oliver) Warbucks. Last night Ava Smith took on the role of Annie with Tia Grace Isaac, Romanie Jija-Wakeham, Dulcie Allsop, Charlotte Pourret Wythe, Saskia Salmon and Emily-May Stephenson as the Orphans.
Annie, having spent 11 years at Miss Hannigan’s Orphanage waiting on her parent to return, decides to take matters into her own hands and go looking for them. Lieutenant Ward returns her to the orphanage where Grace Farrell, personal secretary to Oliver Warbucks is looking for an orphan to spend Christmas with Mr Warbucks. Annie is the chosen child and she is treated to the finer things in life while making Mr Warbucks reassess his priorities. When Mr Warbucks suggests adopting Annie, she tells him of the letter and locket her parents left so he arranges the best to set about finding them. A $50,000 reward results in all sorts claiming to be her parent including Mr & Mrs Mudge who turn out to be Miss Hannigan’s undesirable brother and his girlfriend in disguise, aided and abetted by Miss Hannigan for the reward money. After the sad news that Annie’s parents died a long time ago she is adopted by Daddy Warbucks and celebrates Christmas with her friends from the orphanage.
Set in 1933, Annie reflects the time of the Great Depression in America turned around by the President at the time, Franklin D Roosevelt. The costumes and staging reflect the hardship of this era.
Annie is full of fabulous musical numbers such as Maybe, Hard Knock Life and Tomorrow.
The King’s Theatre is located on Bath Street in Glasgow. We were welcomed by the theatre staff who were cheerful and helpful especially with the younger audience. We sat in the Grand Circle where visibility was excellent.
A wonderful show from start to end, Annie runs in Glasgow until Saturday 20th April… a great Easter day out!
Rating: 5/5
Tickets cost from £17.50 to £57 (plus £2.85 transaction fee).
Annie is at the King’s Theatre in Glasgow from 15-20 April 2019, for more information or to book tickets visit www.atgtickets.com/kings or call the box office on 0844 871 7648.
King’s Theatre, 297 Bath Street, Glasgow, G2 4JN | 0844 871 7648
