Annie Childrens Cast Announced

Brisbane children's cast now been announced - see the article - Link

Our earlier coverage of the casting of the Sydney children follows.

On August 25, 2011, producer John Frost today announced the 24 children who have been cast in the upcoming production of the ever-popular Broadway musical Annie. There will be three different casts alternating in the roles of Annie and the seven orphans.

The three girls cast as Annie in the Sydney production are Marley Aspinall, Siena Elchaar and Ella Nicol. Marley is 12 years old and from Glebe; Siena, 11, is from Peakhurst; and Ella, from Turramurra, is 9 years of age.

Neil Litchfield had the opportunity to chat with Sienna Marley and Ella.

Sitting opposite the three Annies in their red wigs and dresses today in the Greenroom of the Capitol Theatre, while they looked similar at first glance, it was clear they’re set to bring very distinct personalities to the role. I had the pleasure of chatting to them for a quarter of an hour today, and asking them a few questions.

Neil: What is your earliest memory of performing?

Siena: I started at the age of four. I used to dance in Wollongong at a place called Theatrics, where we did end of year concerts, and performing in the shopping centre, but now I dance in Sydney.

Marley: I’ve been dancing since I was three. My first performance was to Scooby-Doo. I’ve got a clear memory of looking out in to the audience and being just so stage-frightened.

Neil: But no stage fright any more?

Marley: I hope not.

Ella: I started dancing when I was five, and I remember doing my first dance at our end-of-year concert with my friend, and we were both scared and copying off everyone because we didn’t know what to do.

Neil: Annie has a touch of mischief about her. Can you tell us about how you are mischievous?

Siena: I sometimes get away with stuff with my dad, but I can’t get away with anything with my mum. She always catches me out. My dad’s who I can be a bit cheeky too.

Marley: Yeah. Maybe if it’s late at night, and I sneak downstairs to get a glass of water, if my mum catches me, that’s it, I’m straight upstairs to bed. But if my dad catches me, he looks, then looks away, then just keeps looking at me.

Ella: I can basically get away with lots of things with my dad, because because when my mum’s not there, he basically lets me do anything., but with my mum, I never get away with anything.

Neil: So you’ve all got your dads wrapped around your little fingers.

All three: Yeah.

Siena: Daddy’s little girl!

Neil: Do you have a favourite stage performer?

Siena: I’m very inspired by Lady Gaga and Beyoncé. I love their individuality. They’re very different to other artists – Lady Gaga with her clothes, and Beyoncé with her style. They’re great all-rounders and so very good at what they do. It makes me feel very inspired.

Marley: Probably Beyoncé. She’s an amazing singer, dancer and actor, and she does a lot of charity work.

Ella: I like Adele and her song is Turning Tables.

Neil: What are you other interests outside performing?

Siena: At school we have an athletics carnival, and I like going on a bike ride, and most of all I like hanging out with my very good friend Demee.

Marley: I love doing high jump, but I can’t do it very well because I’m very small. I’m not a very high jumper, but it’s fun.

Ella: I love playing Netball, and I love running at the Athletic s Carnival, but only sprints (Ella is the Junior Girl Champion).

Neil: Can you see something of yourself in Annie?

Siena: Being a happy girl. I’m not sad unless something really upsetting has happened.

Marley: She’s cheeky sometimes. She isn’t sure about Sandy at first, and then she gets to know him and love him. And she’s happy all the time, no matter what’s happening.

Ella: Mostly because that she’s very cheeky and happy most of the time.

Neil: What are you looking forward to most about doing the show?

Siena: Performing on the stage and making people happy. And I can’t wait to work with such a great cast and crew.

Neil: Have you ever worked on such a big stage before?

Siena: Never. This is one of my first and best jobs. It’s just kicked my career into gear.

Marley: I’m looking forward to working with amazing people and making new friends.

Ella:  Meeting the cast, being on stage and working with Jasper, the dog.

Neil: Have you met him?

Ella:  Yes! He’s so cute!

Neil:Annie works a lot with Sandy, the dog. Do you have a dog?

Siena: I don’t have a dog, but one of my friends does. It’s a Golden Retriever – It was very small to begin with, but a couple of weeks later it grew, so I’m quite used to playing with dogs.

Neil: Do you have another pet?

Siena: I have two birds, Charlie and Spikey.

Neil: Do they know any tricks?

Siena: My bird Charlie can dance.

Marley: I have two miniature Chihuahuas.

Neil: Have you taught your dogs any tricks?

Marley: I taught one of my dogs how to shake, but the other one doesn’t know any tricks – maybe just lying down and sleeping.

Ella: I’ve got a dog called Pepper and a bird called Reggie.

Neil: And does Pepper have any good tricks?

Ella: Yes, she can jump through a Hula Hoop.

Neil: As Annie, you’re going to be wearing these red dresses, but what’s really your favourite colour?

Siena: My favourite colour is purple, but I like red.

Marley: I’m a pink girl.

Ella: Purple and light blue.

Maybe it’s the wrong time to ask three girls who have just been cast in such a great role about their future careers. All three certainly hope for future careers as performers.

The other orphans are played by Skye Azzopardi, Gemma Bell, Keira Bellifemine, Ayanda Dlada, Jade Gillis, Zoe Ioannou, Alessandra Kitinas, Isabel Kratz, Jordan Lazarus, Lucille Le Meledo, Savannah Lind, Emily McKay, Antonia Marinovic, Natasha Mills, Imogen Ovijach, Jessica Percy, Emily Roach, , Maddison Smith-Catlin, Morgan Townsend, Kirsten Tsoltoudis and Ella Williams.

Annie plays at Sydney’s Lyric Theatre from 29 December in a new production starring Anthony Warlow, Nancye Hayes, Todd McKenney, Chloe Dallimore, Julie Goodwin and Alan Jones as President Roosevelt.

Image - Right to Left - Ella, Marley and Sienna

Earlier news on Annie - link

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