Review: ANNIE, Kings Theatre Portsmouth
Photo credit: Steve Spurgin
Annie is an orphan, who lives at an orphanage run by the child-hating Miss Hannigan. Having been left a handwritten note and a locket, Annie is sure that her parents will come and take her home. One day, Annie decides to find her parents but this is unsuccessful and she ends up back at the orphanage. Then the lonely billionaire Mr Warbucks invites Annie to stay at his home for the Christmas holidays….
The current production at the Kings Theatre marks the sixth in-house show that the theatre has produced. These productions allow local talent, performers and technicians alike, from the Portsmouth area the chance to shine. The productions are generally considered to be successful, meaning that audiences have been awaiting Annie with great anticipation.
The design of the show is gloriously traditional. Painted sets create detailed and contextual backdrops, which help to ground the show in its 1930’s American setting. The set pieces consist only of the essentials needed for the scene but they flow nicely with the backdrops, establishing the naturalistic style of the show and the costumes very much follow suit.
We are impressed with the vast array of talent on offer in this show, especially considering that it’s a local King’s Theatre production. The dancing is well balanced with moments of stillness, the acting among the entire cast is consistently energetic and captivating to watch and the singing is strong, with each cast member giving it their all and establishing a vast array of uniquely lived in characters.
However, given that the cast performs with a live band in the orchestra pit, it must be said that the sound levels were off at times, meaning that some bits of dialogue and lyrics are difficult to hear.
Additionally, the company doesn’t do anything particularly inventive with the show, which means the production feels like a relic, as opposed to being a story which needs to be told now. This leaves us feeling unsure as to why King’s Theatre chose to stage this particular musical this season.
Tiffin, who plays Sandy, almost stole the show. They added an extra layer of comedy to this already generally upbeat and hopeful show by attempting to steal treats from Annie’s pocket during a beautiful rendition of ‘Tomorrow’. You may think this would dampen the thoughtful and sentimental tone of the song, but it actually gives the song more lift and, ironically enough, proves Annie’s point that “the sun will come out tomorrow”. In this case, the “sun” comes in the form of a golden labrador with a very waggy tail: if Sandy can find her forever home (and a pocket full of treats) in Annie, Annie can find her forever home too.
Sienna Salter, who plays Annie, is a star in the making. She can sing like the best child actresses in the West End and she has the stamina and confidence required to perform the role exceptionally well. She naturally has the kind of commanding stage presence that takes some actors years to learn and she makes us all root for Annie to succeed in her quest.
In the role of Miss Hannigan, Andee Jordan makes an incredible villain who we love to hate. She plays to the more comical, over the top, panto/Disney-esque version of villainy, which makes us love to watch her on stage. We love to laugh at her and we find ourselves drawn to her; she is so entertaining to watch.
Uplifting, traditional and a blast from the past. A joy to watch.
**** Four stars
Reviewed by: Megan O’Neill
Annie plays at https://www.kingsportsmouth.co.uk/whatson-event/annie-the-musical/