Annie at the Regal

Yep kids it's time for another Asta review so be prepared for bitchiness and backstabbing galore. This weeks review is for Theatrebits production of Annie at the Regal Theatre in Perth. I could sum up this production in one word - AMAZING - but I won't leave it at that cause you all know I am a girl of very few words. Theatrebits had a bad run of publicity with its last big production of Cats. bitching was rife on this website about whether it should have advertised itself as an amateur company because the general public wouldn't know based on the ticket prices. I am not a general public theatre goer but I did go with a large group of them and the concensus was this show was fantastic. Lets do it Asta style and break it down for you (I apologise for any misspellings of people's names, I lost my programme and so am doing this by memory): The Good!!! Annie and the orphans: I saw the production yesterday at the matinee and the little girls playing the orphans were simply brilliant. They had clear strong voices and beautiful characterisation. Even when the focus was off them they continued to act. They were simply brilliant. Special mentions must go to Annie was was simply adorable and carried the show very well. Every time she came on stage the whole show lifted. ANy kid that can continue to sing a ballad while holding onto a wildly dog gets two very big thumbs up. Molly! What a voice this girl has on here. Look out for her in a few years time, simply brilliant. Bob playing Daddy Warbucks: His singing wasn't great but then neither was the singing good in the movie version. This is the kind of role that needs someone strong and with the right look. Bob was amazing. His first entrance onto stage lifted the show out of a slump it was in and he continued throughout the show. The chorus was gorgeous. They always looked excited to be there. Special mentions to Mikaela Briggs. Her singing was gorgeous and what a dancer. Someone told me she is quite young too...another one to look out for. The blonde boy who did the tapping in the radio scene was amazing too. Everytime he came on stage whether it was as a policeman or member of the crowd he stood out. Normally I would then say what I didn't like about this show but I enjoyed it so much that I am not going to belittle the efforts of a fabulous cast and crew for putting this together. All I can say to those critics of Theatrebits is that they definetly have their place and they proved it with this production. Theatrebits has found itself as a company responsible for discovering new talent and putting it on stage for all to see. Well done