Review: Annie at The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham

★★★★★

The hit musical, Annie, returns to Birmingham in a new touring production. Set in 1930s New York, foundling Annie is living the ‘Hard Knock Life’ at Miss Hannigan’s orphanage but her luck could all change after she's chosen to spend a magical Christmas with famous billionaire, Oliver Warbucks. That is if Miss Hannigan’s wicked scheme to tamper with Annie’s search for her true family doesn’t succeed.

Despite being set almost a hundred years prior to today and first opening on Broadway almost 50 years ago, the political landscape of the musical, with its themes of poverty, struggle, job insecurity, and rising fascism, is still very much relevant to contemporary audiences.

Starring Alex Bourne as Daddy Warbucks, Sophia Saravanan/Victoria Alsina/ June Young as Annie, and star of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK and Strictly Come Dancing, La Voix as the tyrannical Miss Hannigan, this production does not stray far from the tried and tested formula for success, and for good reason. It’s distinct costuming (Colin Richmond) and wigs (Charlotte O’Flanagan), and its familiar staging (Colin Richmond) which takes audiences from Miss Hannigan’s orphanage to the bustling New York streets, continue to cement Annie as a much-loved family pick.

Sophia Saravanan who appeared as Annie in the press showing of the musical at Birmingham’s Alexandra Theatre delivers the iconic character with strong vocals and great professionalism. While her child co-stars accompany her with delightful precociousness, in particular, the seemingly youngest character, Molly (Freya Beer/Jemima Lown, Mollie Moran).

La Voix’s casting as Miss Hannigan is sheer perfection with sharp, well-timed humour that gives a camp wink and a nod to her drag persona in this role. Following in the legendary footsteps of Lily Savage/Paul O’Grady, I have no doubt the late performer would be proud of this villainously brilliant legacy reflected in La Voix’s performance. The drag performer plays up the physical elements of the comedy spectacularly, injecting laughs even in the dance numbers. What’s more, La Voix’s vocals are a true testament to her successful career selling out solo tours.

This production proves once again why Annie is a lasting musical favourite. Its Tony® award-winning book features a great balance of humour and touching moments. Its energetic choreography (Nick Winston) reflects the lively New York setting, and is driven by the Tony® award-winning score which is jam-packed full of memorable, earworm songs that will leave you singing long after the curtain call. And, it is the thoughtful casting of this new production that keeps Annie fresh and bright for new and returning audiences alike.

Annie only plays at The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham until Saturday 6^th June.

This review was written following a press invite to the production.

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The musical also tours Nottingham's Concert Hall, Regent Theatre Stoke-on-Trent, Wolverhampton’s Grand Theatre, and Leicester’s Curve Theatre; these venues will all star Claire Sweeney as Miss Hannigan.