Annie is set in the U.S. in the 1930s during the Great Depression which has forced millions out of work, and into extreme poverty. Navigating her way through the gritty reality of social exclusion, Annie, a young orphan inspires President Roosevelt to empower those pushed to the margins of society through a 'New Deal' for the people. This stage adaptation, by Nikolai Foster, unapologetically takes us on this fantastical journey. It is unrestrained escapism, and it is a delight.
Annie does not set out to promote social justice, she is simply unrelentingly positive in the face of social strife. Primarily, Annie is concerned with escaping from her sweatshop orphanage to find her parents. Isabella Pappas, who played Annie last night, has a beautiful voice. Her jaunty spiritedness carries through the show. She is spunky and sweet. The young girls playing Annie's fellow residents at the evil Miss Hannigan's orphanage/sweatshop treat us to perfect renditions of 'Maybe', 'Hard Knock Life', and 'Tomorrow'. They are energetic and committed throughout.
Giant jigsaw puzzle pieces adorn the stage, imprinted with a childlike map of New York City. Annie's journey from child worker (subjected to the whims of drunken Miss Hannigan), to adopted child of billionaire Mr Warbucks, is drawn across the puzzles. Brightly coloured light bulbs illuminate the set to create a real spectacle during the big musical numbers. Flowing dresses and jazz hands portray the excitement of post-prohibition era New York. Jodie Prenger is disturbingly flawless as Miss Hannigan. Alex Bourne plays the sexy and sure Mr Warbucks who softens from corporate money grabber to proud father figure.
This stage adaptation stays true to the 1920s original comic. Today we face continuing and potentially permanent austerity, widening inequality, and the possibility of doctors and teachers going on strike to protect our basic services. In this context, the adaptation could have been updated to draw deeper parallels to the social upheaval we are experiencing today. The tears in our social, economic and political fabric today are extending, and we will perhaps see many Annies yet. Nevertheless, this stage adaptation is enchanting.