UK Theatre Network

Annie returns to the King’s Theatre in the final tour of this Chris Moreno production. Although a relatively modern musical (it was first staged in the 1970s), the show has become a classic, presumably in part due to its setting in the Great Depression of the 1930s.

What is interesting in this production is to see an ensemble with a variety of ages, shapes and sizes. From the young dancing girl physiques of The Boylan Sisters, to the more mature Mrs Pugh it was great to see some attempt at creating real characters in the smaller roles. One case in point is Ashley Knight as Drake the butler (and Apple Seller). His energy shone through in all the ensemble numbers and he made what could have been a rather bland role a standout performance. Of course no-one can mention the ensemble in Annie and ignore the cast of kids. The orphan girls are cast from local stage schools (in this instance Starstruck Stage School, Glasgow) and looked like they had been with the show forever. Special mention must go to Jessica Harvey as the youngster Molly. Her comic timing and winning smile would have won over even the toughest critic (actually, that might be me!) and along with the other girls showed a real grasp for the tight choreography for their numbers.

Amongst these kids we discover “Little Orphan Annie” – on opening night played by charming 10 year old Welsh girl Rachel Hall - as she scrubs the floors of the New York Municipal Orphanage, under the watchful eye of Miss Hannigan, played with relish by Su Pollard. Ms Pollard takes this opportunity to remind the audience of the singing voice that first set her on the road to stardom, with great renditions of “Little Girls” and the trio “Easy Street” alongside onstage brother Rooster (Philip Andrew) and his girlfriend Lily St Regis (Kerry George). Annie then finds herself at the home of billionaire Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks (warmly played by David McAlister) and his personal secretary Grace Farrell. As Miss Farrell, Simone Craddock was the vision of 1930s style and beauty – I’m sure at least half the costume budget must have gone on the coats, dresses and shoes for her character – and this was also true of her voice too, aside from a few accent issues (however this seemed to be an issue for many of the principals).

For a show that has been touring for a few years now, the tiredness definitely does not show on the set, or in the cast. This was a fresh and energetic production of a well-known story, with good leads and an excellent supporting cast. The band, under direction of James Dunsmore kept the music flowing at a great pace and for only seven pieces made the most of the music in the dance breaks to fill the King’s auditorium.

Many have fond memories of school productions of Annie, or watching the film on TV, so now is a good time to recapture those feel-good memories by enjoying this heart-warming production at the Kings Theatre until Saturday.

Listings

Tue-Sat Evenings – 7.30pm

Wed & Sat Matinees – 2.30pm

Tickets £10-£30

Box Office: 08448 717 648 (bkg fee)                  Web: www.atgtickets.com/glasgow (bkg fee)

The sound of Motown is transported to Glasgow this week as the stars of the 60s take to the stage in this first class tribute concert.

There are a number of ways to bring the hits of the past to a stage show.  The success of the ABBA based hit, Mamma Mia!, has seen a resurgence of productions with a fresh story to tell weaving old songs around the drama.  But this is difficult to do well and easy to do badly.  Dancing in the Streets takes the simpler route by delivering a straight forward tribute concert (similar to Rat Pack – Live from Las Vegas) … and delivering it with some style.

The first thing to consider when conceiving a production like this has to be the theme.  In “Motown”, Director and Musical Supervisor, Keith Strachan, has tapped possibly the richest vein of musical hits in history!  With artists from Gladys Knight and the Pips to Diana Ross and the Supremes, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, The Four Tops, The Temptations, (the list goes on) … the hardest decisions must have been what to leave out of the show!  But you can be sure that the numbers in the show will be hits that everyone has a specific memory of.

And that’s what the audience pay their money for … memories.  They want to be transported to the time and place that each song meant the most to them.  Time travel isn’t just for Doctor Who, you know.  It was certainly a reality for the majority of the audience in Glasgow last night!  The reason the “Dancing in the Streets” time machine works so effectively is in the delivery of those Motown hits.  The first class cast sounded (and often looked) like the original artists.  Dance moves were faithfully reproduced, backup singers swayed and clicked and clapped and ‘shooped’ just like their 60s counterparts and the band faithfully reproduced the Motown sound on every track.  Overall production values were excellent, too, with a classically styled static set incorporating the live band, excellent lighting effects (probably far superior to the 60s originals but effective and atmospheric nonetheless) and more costume changes than London Fashion Week!

Transport yourself to Hitsville, USA in the 60s for £25.50 (or less) - bargain!

Listings Info:
King's Theatre Glasgow: Mon 15 Feb – Sat 20 Feb
Mon – Sat  at 7.30pm
Sat mat – 2.30pm
Tickets: £12 - £25.50
Box Office 08448 717 648 (Bkg fee)
www.ambassadortickets.com/glasgow (bkg fee)

The 25^th anniversary tour of Richard Harris’s “Stepping Out” opened at the King’s Theatre last night to a warm reception from an appreciative Glasgow audience enjoying a freshly refurbished auditorium.

The play is probably best known for its 1991 movie incarnation starring Liza Minnelli, Shelley Winters, Ellen Greene, Jane Krakowski and Julie Walters. The powerhouse nature of the movie cast indicates the ensemble nature of the piece where every character is equally important to the successful delivery of comedy and drama.

West-end dancer turned teacher, Mavis (Lucy Williamson), leads her mismatched adult tap class through the basics of dancing for fun and fitness.  She is a selfless character who enjoys teaching most when others enjoy being taught.  However, the class are an unruly (if well intentioned) lot formed from assorted misfits from varied backgrounds including overly eager Dorothy (Karen Traynor), overweight Lynne (Katie Kerr), larger than life Sylvia (Jessie Wallace) and largely silent Geoffrey (Brian Capron).  Pianist Mrs. Fraser (Rosemary Ashe) keeps mob rule at bay with carefully timed rubber bullets in the form of stinging one-liners!  The group are placed under pressure when Mavis accepts an invitation for the class to demonstrate one tap routine as part of a low key local charity event.  Bedlam ensues!

The play is highly entertaining as the witty script is delivered by well defined characters who each portray unique attributes that the whole audience can relate to.  The character of busybody Vera was particularly well played by Susie Fenwick who could clearly start an argument in an empty house.  Headliners Jessie Wallace and Brian Capron were highly entertaining employing physical comedy as much as sharp delivery of dialogue.  Director, Richard Baron, kept the play well paced throughout.

All in all this is a highly entertaining piece and well worth the ticket price.

Listings Info:

Tue 15 – Sat 19 Sep

Tue – Sat eves 7.30pm

Wed and Sat mats 2.30pm

Tickets: £11 - £25

Box Office 08448 717 648 (bk fee)

www.ambassadortickets.com/glasgow (bkg fee)