It’s a hard-knock hit as Annie delights MK
Naomi MacKay found there was plenty to smile about – despite the Hard-Knock Life – when the touring production of Annie arrived at Milton Keynes Theatre. The much-loved musical continues its run until Saturday 26 July.
If you want to feel old, just check out when the film Annie came out. Don’t worry, I’ve done it for you – 1982, more than 40 years ago! And then while you’re looking, you’ll see it’s almost 50 years since the stage musical starring the red-headed orphan made its debut.
There’s always a revival on the horizon – Jesus Christ Superstar and Cats are just two that have already booked their places on the Milton Keynes stage for next year – and there’s always some trepidation when revisiting a show. Will it be as good as I remember, will it stand the test of time and appeal to a 2020s audience?
I did think it might feel a tad old-fashioned or dull compared with some of the more modern musicals, but I couldn’t have been more wrong! While this enduring family favourite has delighted audiences for nearly 50 years, this slick new tour feels as fresh and heartwarming as ever, combining energetic performances, polished production values and a timeless score packed with crowd-pleasing classics.
In case you’re not familiar with the story: Set in 1930s New York during The Great Depression, brave young Annie is forced to live a life of misery and torment at Miss Hannigan’s orphanage. Her luck soon changes when she’s chosen to spend a fairytale Christmas with the famous billionaire Oliver Warbucks. Meanwhile, spiteful Miss Hannigan has other ideas and hatches a plan to spoil Annie’s search for her true family…
Claire Sweeney brings delicious comic flair to the role of the gloriously disreputable Miss Hannigan. Her comic timing is impeccable, particularly during the show-stopping Little Girls, where every exasperated glare and perfectly judged pause earns another laugh from the audience. She also revels in the scheming Easy Street, creating an irresistible partnership with Rooster and Lily that nearly steals the show.
At the heart of the production, however, is Annie herself. Brimming with confidence and charm, Sophia Saravanan, who played the role on press night, captures the optimism and resilience that have made the character so beloved across generations. Her rendition of Tomorrow was delivered with sincerity rather than sentimentality, reminding audiences why the song remains one of musical theatre’s most uplifting anthems.
The talented ensemble deserves enormous credit. The orphanage scenes crackle with youthful energy, particularly during the exhilarating It’s the Hard Knock Life, where sharp choreography and infectious enthusiasm create one of the evening’s standout moments. The adult cast complements the younger performers perfectly, with fantastic vocals and choreography.
And I couldn’t write a review without mentioning cockapoo Dizzy, who plays Annie’s stray dog friend Sandy – I’d just like to have seen a bit more of this canine star!
Visually, the production is handsome without becoming overly extravagant. The shifting sets move seamlessly between the grim orphanage, bustling New York streets and Warbucks’ luxurious mansion, while colourful costumes evoke Depression-era America with style.
What makes this production particularly successful is its refusal to rely solely on nostalgia. Director and company embrace the show’s old-fashioned optimism without irony, allowing its messages of hope, kindness and found family to resonate naturally with modern audiences.
This production may not radically reinvent a classic, but it doesn’t need to. With Claire Sweeney leading the company in scene-stealing form, superb young talent and enough heart to warm even Miss Hannigan’s cynical soul, this is a joyful evening of musical theatre that will send audiences home smiling. You can, indeed, bet your bottom dollar on it.