A FEELGOOD foot-tapping musical is just what you need on a cold, wet October night and the talented Norbury cast obliged in abundance.
The tone and standard was set early on with a pitch-perfect and well-choreographed version of Hard Knock Life.
The orphans had bucketfuls of cuteness and cheekiness to the point where we would have adopted them all had they being facing the predicament inflicted on their characters.
Sam Jeffrey as Rooster and Eleanor Bates as Lily were comical and sinister in equal measure earning them both chuckles and well-deserved (but good-natured) boos as they took their bows.
Keith Thompson was fantastic as Daddy Warbucks with an impressive American accent, Emily Tennant made for an amazing Annie and looked well at home taking centre stage and Vicky Lake was strong in her role as Annie’s ‘mother figure’ Grace Farrell.
The performance of the night went to Jonathan Boxall-Southall as Miss Hannigan. You could tell he relished the role and enjoyed every minute as the laughter flowed.
The second half was given a great start with the very funny radio appeal to find Annie’s parents and the scenes between Annie and Warbucks were very touching.
In the penultimate scene when the baddies are arrested and the orphans are told they have a brighter future ahead I think I can safely say we ‘all had something on our eye’.
Director Melanie Brown and musical director Chris Corcoran have done a great job with this larger than life cast and the walkdown and finale rightfully brought the audience to its feet.
In summing up I’ll borrow the title of one of the famous songs in this much-loved musical by urging you to go and see this show ‘Tomorrow’ (or one of the dates next week).
Performances run at 7.30pm on Saturday, October 19, and between next Thursday to Saturday, October 24 to 26).
Visit norburytheatre.co.uk or call 01905 770154 for tickets.
