Leapin’ lizards, Leicester! Annie has premiered and for those of you who have bagged tickets to the sell-out tour across the UK and Ireland… I think you’re gonna like it here!
Annie is back with a euphoric energy like no other!
I’m going to jump straight to curtain call for this one and paint you a picture. Everybody leaps to their feet, roars of applause, whistles and screams as the cast take their bows before transitioning into one last rendition of “Tomorrow” with an invitation for the audience to participate and you can bet ya bottom dollar that we did and what a euphoric moment it was.
It’s moments like this that only can come with a theatre experience.
Without retelling the story of Annie, it follows a young orphan living in the Great Depression in 1930s New York forced to live at Miss Hannigan’s awful orphanage. Her days get brighter when she is picked by Grace to spend a Christmas she could have only once dreamt about with billionaire, Oliver Warbucks. But, with antagonist Miss Hannigan and her cronies out to get her, is she destined for a hard knock life forever?
No introduction required, Craig Revel Horwood was an outstanding man-hungry, gin-drinking, child-hating, Miss Hannigan. I had expected no less than precise dancing, but I wasn’t prepared for the way Revel Horwood seemed to embrace the role so effortlessly with incredible vocals and outstanding body language and mannerisms. Darling… you were
FAB-U-LOUS!
Zoe Akinyosade embraced the role of Annie with a charming, playful energy, just as you’d hope from such an iconic role. Stealing the show with her delightful performance supported wonderfully by her young company – Team Chrysler and the adorable Sandy (Amber).
Akinyosade had a lovely voice showing she has so much more to give in the theatre world. A special mention goes to Suki Hillier who played an adorable Molly. Considering she made her professional debut, she looked comfortable with such a cute stage presence.
Oh Gee! How I despised Rooster (Paul French), which can only assert just how spine-tingling creepy he was, and, thus, how incredible he stepped into the role. He and his Lily (Billie-Kay) were great villains, even if I did want them off the stage every time they appeared!
Daddy Warbucks (Alex Bourne) and Grace (Amelia Adams) were a delightful couple who brought an element of warmth to the stage with Amelia glowing. I loved the performance of N.Y.C and the interactions between Revel Horwood and Bourne and Bourne and French – magic!
President Roosevelt (David Burrows) with Annie, Daddy Warbucks and his cabinets’ performance of Tomorrow was both humorous and uplifting, was another personal highlight of mine. Another being the performance of You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile which transitioned great from the radio set to the orphanage. Team Chrysler did an excellent job with the performance.
The casting was absolutely fantastic, and… I’d go again tonight if I could!
Step on down to ‘Easy Street’ for a spectacular production of Annie, and don’t forget… it’s what you wear from ear to ear and not from head to toe that matters!
Having made its grand premiere in Leicester, Annie will be touring the UK and Ireland into November 2023 with further dates set to be announced.
Curve Theatre, Leicester.
2h 30 minutes running time including a 20 minute interval
Sat 25 Feb — Sat 4 Mar
press night tickets for review
Lauren in Leicester 
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