Review: Annie at the Opera House is ‘a theatrical triumph overflowing with laughter and fun’

Annie is a show full of laughter and fun and has the feel of a pantomime.

If you do not know what Annie is about, it is about a young orphan girl who gets the opportunity to spend the Christmas holidays with a very rich man and his very sweet and motherly assistant.

Annie also has an awful orphan manager called Miss Hannigan who is not very pleased with Annie’s situation.

And then, of course, chaos ensues.

Craig Revel Horwood Steals The Show

The Opera House is buzzing with excitement as it waits for the show to begin.

I think that has something to do with Craig Revel Horwood but there are also your children with guardians so it seems to be a fun day out for all!

The production began in a charming way, with the stage set as the orphans’ bedroom.

As the audience settled into their seats, a group of young actors took the stage, engaging in lively conversations and playful antics.

An Interactive Opening

This interactive opening was a brilliant way to draw the audience into the world of the play, and it effectively set the stage for what was to come.

Annie, the titular character, made her entrance a bit later, adding an element of anticipation to the opening scenes.

I have found out that this is one of my favourite ways of starting and getting the audience into the show.

It’s a Hard Knock Life for Us

One of the standout moments of the show was the performance of “It’s The Hard Knock Life” by the Young Orphans.

They used household appliances to mimic the sounds of drums and other instruments, creating a unique and captivating rendition of the song.

What made this performance truly remarkable was the fact that these child actors, despite their tender age, demonstrated exceptional rhythm and synchronisation, hitting every beat with precision.

It was a joy to watch and easily one of the highlights of the production.

Three young actresses play Annie. (Zoe Akinyosade, Harlie Barthram, and Sharangi Gnanavarathan)

Sharangi Gnanavarathan Incredible Performance

We had Sharangi Gnanavarathan and wow, what a performance!

She has a lighthearted nature which enables her to bring the child into Annie.

Annie is optimistic about her future as she’s waiting for her family to come back and get her.

Her rendition of Tomorrow is the moment as it is the song that everyone knows.

She does a great job at holding her own and she looks so happy on that stage.

Craig Revel Horwood.

A household name because of his appearances on “Strictly Come Dancing,” brought a comedic twist to the character of Miss Hannigan.

Miss Hannigan is a bitter and unhappy character, and Horwood’s portrayal was nothing short of hilarious.

As he walked onto the stage, the audience erupted in laughter, clearly caught off guard by his appearance.

While his accent slipped a few times, it was a minor issue in an otherwise fantastic performance.

Horwood breathed life into Miss Hannigan, adding a touch of humour that enhanced the overall experience.

I thought he looked great and he brought Miss Hannigan to life.

His accent did drop a few times and that was the only criticism I can make.

Amber, the Star Labradoodle

However, it’s important to note that there was one true star of the show: Amber, who played Sandy, the adorable labradoodle.

Every time Amber made an appearance on stage, the audience collectively gasped and cooed at the fluffy ball of cuteness.

Although her scenes were limited, she stole the show every time she graced the stage.

It was a heartwarming addition, highlighting the undeniable charm of dogs and their ability to connect with the audience.

There is a moment when Barthram (Annie) has to move around with her and she has a pocket full of treats, and little Amber knows she does.

It was a beautiful thing to add as dogs are the best.

“Annie” is undeniably a show filled with joy and suitable for the entire family.

Its timeless tale of hope, love, and resilience resonates with audiences of all ages, making it a must-see production.

Annie is on at The Opera House until the 30th of September.

Craig Revel Horwood plays Miss Hannigan for all days excluding Saturday as he is on Strictly duty.

You can get your tickets to this amazing production by clicking here.