Annie at the Regal
Sun, 30 Mar 2008, 03:35 pmAsta32 posts in thread
Annie at the Regal
Sun, 30 Mar 2008, 03:35 pmYep 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
Annie was a success
Fri, 18 Apr 2008, 07:57 pmWalter Plinge
Just read through these comments ... bloggers you are supposed to be reviewing the show. If you have issues with prices or where proceeds go, these are fair enough questions, especially the latter one, and should be raised, but not here.I'm sure that the appropriate channels do exist. Yes, If a company, professional or otherswise uses the statement that proceeds go to Charity, especially when advertising the show, as Theatrebits did, then I think that proceeds should go to Charity. I understand that overheads must be accounted for, whatever those are within reason, but after that perhaps a statement regarding what was raised for the particular Charity involved should follow. Perhaps the industry can look into this.
Now as for the show, I saw Annie, many times. My child was performing in it, so yes perhaps I'm slightly biased, however I've seen many shows and I was actually amazed by the high standard of the end product of this show. As far as I can see, for myself and my child, we overall enjoyed the experience of being involved with Theatrebits and Annie. My child gained great experience over the two weeks of the show. I thought that the performances put on by all, including the chorus, were just way above what I had expected, infact better than some professional theatre which I have seen. The cast appeared to be truly engaged with what they were doing each night, and truly enjoying it. There were a few sound/mic problems which I noticed but these didn't in any way take away from my overall impresssion of the show. Ultimately, it's the audience who review the show, through the looks on their faces during intermission and after the show. While waiting for my child at the stage door I did not notice one unhappy face walk by. I was especially delighted to see the number of children walking away and singing the songs or excitedly talking to their parents about the show. I think that's what it's all about, theatre/performing arts in general, it's about bringing happiness to others through the arts. And did "Annie" succeed in that regard? My answer would have to be a resounding "YES". So good on you Theatrebits, you put on a good show.
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