Annie

A deserved standing ovation at the end of this opening night at the Theatre Royal, and although “Strictly” judge Craig Revel Horwood deserved his applause, it was the 'orphans', and in particular 12 year old Isabella Pappas as Annie, that really wowed the audience. It was her charm and confidence, combined with a natural sense of comic timing that carried the evening, leaving Revel-Horwood to play Miss Hannigan with an edge of wickedness underneath a glamorous facade. He got the laughs in all the right places, but without becoming the pantomime dame. Darling, that would have been 'just so dis-as-trous'. To be fair, Craig displays a fine singing voice as well as a nimble set of pins. Almost fanciable. Just a shame about those wrinkled stockings.

For those unfamiliar with the story, we are guided through Annie's quest to become reunited with her true parents, sidestepping current-day cynics that would question any tale of a bachelor billionaire procuring an eleven year old orphan for the Christmas period, let alone introducing her to a leading politician (in this case President Theodore Roosevelt). But this is 1930's America in the middle of the Great Depression. Unemployment and homelessness is endemic, and this is a story of innocent hope. The message that 'tomorrow is only a day away' comes from Annie's heart, but is taken up by the President himself. Its anti-austerity message is frighteningly topical, the social comment remains valid to this day, but most importantly, this is a banging good family musical with a great cast and unforgettable songs. The dancing is spot on, and the sets are dazzling. What more do you want?

8/10