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hen I was about seven years old, I went to London to see the musical Annie. My parents brought the five Gormley kids for a weekend away with this new musical being the central attraction. My Dad, who was an avid musical theatre director, had seen it on one of his trips to the West End. He returned home full of enthusiasm and decided that the rest of the family just had to see it! We were beside ourselves with excitement as we arrived at ‘The Victoria Palace’. We had our tickets and were shown to our seats, only to find that there were seven other people sitting in them! The usher checked our tickets. A double booking seemed to have occurred. We stood in the aisle as the curtain rose. I was mesmerised as I looked at this little redhead on stage singing Maybe. Then came the line of orphans dressed in grey with their scrubbing brushes and buckets singing Hard-Knock Life. I was hooked. At such a young age, I was unaware of the hassle regarding our seats and was glued to the stage. Thankfully, the performance wasn’t sold out and we were soon seated in the dress circle. The production was fantastic and I left with a big badge saying “I saw Annie” on my coat lapel. My parents left with a full refund of our tickets from the theatre manager with sincere apologies for the mistake regarding our seats. This London production followed the original Broadway show that opened in 1977. It ran in New York for nearly six years. It was based on the popular Harold Gray comic strip Little Orphan Annie, with music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Martin Charnin. So many little girls have dreamed of playing the role of Annie. Andrea McArdle was the choice for that original Broadway production and this role was later taken up by none other than Sarah Jessica Parker. Dublin-born Jacinta Whyte started her career taking over the role of Annie in the original London production and went on to play Annie in the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin. The role of the baddie, Miss Hannigan has attracted a series of great actors. The
West End 1998 revival starred Lily Savage (the female alter ego of comedian Paul O’Grady). A 35th anniversary production opened on Broadway last year with the inspired casting of Jane Lynch (of the TV series Glee). Carol Burnett played the role in the 1982 film and we are getting another film version next year with, wait for it..Cameron Diaz playing Miss Hannigan! One might not immediately think of Annie as a “Christmas musical” but in fact it is the perfect choice for The National Concert Hall in December. All of the best musicals that we like to see around Christmas need to have certain ingredients. A heart-warming story is a must. It needs to have elements of sadness but with the promise of a happy ending. The cast needs to include children as well as a memorable baddie! Then we need somebody to save the day and songs that audience members will be humming as they leave the theatre. Think Oliver, The Sound of Music and The Wizard of Oz. Annie fits in with them perfectly. It is remembered musically for several songs but Tomorrow really hits home. It provides that optimistic feeling that, let’s face it, we all need…. that everything will be alright. The sun’ll come out Tomorrow So ya gotta hang on ‘Til tomorrow Come what may Tomorrow! Tomorrow! I love ya Tomorrow! You’re always A day A way! Aedín Gormley presents Movies and Musicals (Saturday 1-4pm) and Sunday Matinée (Sunday 1-4pm) on RTÉ lyric fm
Annie The Musical, presented by Festival Productions will take place from Friday 27 December to 3rd January. Tickets from ¤20. Family Ticket also available.
NATIONAL CONCERT HALL BOX OFFICE TEL: 01 417 0000 • www.nch.ie no booking fees
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