Annie

Overview

The next big theatrical storm to hit New Zealand is Annie. Everyone knows and loves the story of the optimistic young orphan, stuck living in the cruel Miss Hannigan’s orphanage until she is selected to briefly reside with the billionaire, Oliver Warbucks, who she quickly wins over. The whole story is a little bit of sadness, a little bit of funniness and a whole lot of goodness.

The show stars British TV and stage talent as the adult leads, but the roles of Annie and her fellow orphans have been filled by local New Zealand kids. The role of the nasty New York City Municipal Orphanage principal, Miss Hannigan, stars Su Pollard, who has been involved in TV dramas and stage productions her whole life, including playing Peggy in the BBC’s successful series Hi-de-Hi. David McAllister fills the role of billionaire Oliver Warbucks. McAllister is an entertainment industry veteran, having been involved in opera, cabaret, TV comedy (Chums), radio drama, TV drama (Dr Who), TV soaps (Eastenders) and film (Who Dares Wins).

The talent-filled cast are aiming to put a new spin on the tale, and tell it in a way that has never been done before - reinvigorating the story with a new energy. In saying that, it has promised to keep the usual tunes that’ll be ringing in your ears for days after the show, including “It’s the Hard Knock Life” and “Tomorrow”.

The original story was based on the famous Little Orphan Annie comic strip that was popular in the New York Times in 1924. Annie is set in a depressed New York City, with a bleak economy, an uncaring government and a frustrated society. Such a depressing setting might suggest a pessimistic production, but Annie, the optimistic orphan, passionately believes that an upturn of events is on the horizon, giving the show an overall positive, feel-good energy. The show has been around for 37 years, and the story is adored by its fans, so good luck to the cast who want to deliver it in a never-been-seen-before way.