Annie

Published Thursday 15 September 2005 at 12:05 by John Thaxter

When Martin Charnin first proposed turning this comic strip fairytale of gritty American optimism in the Depression into a big budget musical, everyone laughed. But almost 30 years later his hit show is still going strong worldwide. Indeed, Chris Colby’s robust revival has recently returned from the Kuala Lumpur premiere before embarking on this second, partly recast, tour of 16 venues.

Mark Wynter shaves his head for the third time for his warm, generous Daddy Warbucks, splendidly paired with Louise English as the love interest, while nifty dancer Carly Hainsby joins the cast as Lily, partnered by Matthew Hewitt’s villainous Rooster, stopping the show with their sassy Easy Street routine alongside Miss Hannigan.

Ruth Madoc in Baby Jane make-up is the least intimidating Hannigan ever, hoofing to great effect but a pushover when it comes to ill-treating the orphan chorus. Her most winning moments come when giving the audience sly double takes.

Twelve-year old Emma Hopkins returns to the title role, never once upstaged by her canine companion, confidently at ease with Warbucks and Christopher Marlowe’s cosy FDR, if at times vocally brassy like a budding Ethel Merman.

On the Windsor first night the opening seemed low key, as if the slow box office had cast gloom on the orphanage. But doubts were swept away by a terrific rendering of the Hoover satire We’d Like to Thank You, crowned by the choral glories of NYC, with Barbara Jaeson in the star-to-be cameo role, offering her calling card for a great future in musical theatre. Talent spotters take note.