Jigsaw Stage Productions .
REVIEW .
Annie - The Musical , presented by Jigsaw Stage Productions April 2016
The show depends on a believable Annie and a supportive team of orphanage children and this
we got. Two teams, no less than 22 children, and 2 Annies with choreographer Karen Brind,
attacked their parts with gusto (although in 1933 orphaned or abandoned children would have
been more cowed and sad). But hey this is a musical, generally a stranger to reality.
This musical takes us from the orphanage, run by gin-soaked Miss Hannigan, beautifully played,
sung and danced by Linda Collins Stock to the shanty town inhabited by victims of the Great
Depression - the chorus all looked a bit too clean and well fed but they used the stage and sang well.
Millionaire Oliver Warbucks (Rob Bertwistle) encouraged by his secretary (Christine Jones) invites
an orphan - Annie - to spend Christmas at his mansion.
His servants and butler sing a warm welcome.
At NBC Radio Studio Mr Warbucks offered a large reward to try and find Annie's parents.
Mr Warbucks attended a Cabinet meeting at the White House with President Roosevelt (Nigel
Thornbury) and took Annie with him (as I said this is a Musical).
Annie persuades the President that 'The Sun'll Come Out Tomorrow'
The four musicians were ably controlled by Jevan Johnson Booth and Bryan Proctor built a very
impressive set on wheels which was speedily rotated and unfolded for different scenes.
Director, Jill Morgan had great support from Assistant Director, James King and the carefully
thought out Wardrobe, as usual, by Christine Jones.
As in all musicals it all turns out happily and sends the audience home singing the songs and
feeling they've had a good evening out.
And that's what it's all about.
Deidre Jones
Oxfordshire Drama Network .
The show depends on a believable Annie and a supportive team of orphanage children and this
we got. Two teams, no less than 22 children, and 2 Annies with choreographer Karen Brind,
attacked their parts with gusto (although in 1933 orphaned or abandoned children would have
been more cowed and sad). But hey this is a musical, generally a stranger to reality.
This musical takes us from the orphanage, run by gin-
Depression -
Millionaire Oliver Warbucks (Rob Bertwistle) encouraged by his secretary (Christine Jones) invites
an orphan -
His servants and butler sing a warm welcome.
At NBC Radio Studio Mr Warbucks offered a large reward to try and find Annie's parents.
Mr Warbucks attended a Cabinet meeting at the White House with President Roosevelt (Nigel
Thornbury) and took Annie with him (as I said this is a Musical).
Annie persuades the President that 'The Sun'll Come Out Tomorrow'
The four musicians were ably controlled by Jevan Johnson Booth and Bryan Proctor built a very
impressive set on wheels which was speedily rotated and unfolded for different scenes.
Director, Jill Morgan had great support from Assistant Director, James King and the carefully
thought out Wardrobe, as usual, by Christine Jones.
As in all musicals it all turns out happily and sends the audience home singing the songs and
feeling they've had a good evening out.
And that's what it's all about.
Deidre Jones
Oxfordshire Drama Network .