Annie’s Enduring Appeal

Bankstown Theatre Company’s production of Annie hits the stage at the Bryan Brown Theatre in March 2016, with Director Diane Wilson returning to a musical she has quite a history with. She spoke to Stage Whispers.

Stage Whispers: This certainly isn’t your first production of Annie, is it?

Diane Wilson: Both Greg Crease (musical director) and I have long history with Annie. We were both connected with the original Annie in 1978 with Jill Perryman, Nancye Hayes and Hayes Gordon which ran for nearly two years in Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide. I performed as one of the five ensemble females in the production, playing numerous parts and Greg was Associated Musical Director. Then in 1984, I directed it and played Miss Hannigan and Greg was Musical Director for Bankstown Theatre Company. So this is our third outing with the show.

SW: What was the thinking behind Bankstown choosing this production at this particular time?

DW: Unlike so many shows, Annie gives so many young performers a chance with the children in the show being double cast. Also as per the original, we are performing the show with a small number of ensemble. This gives them a chance to play many roles throughout the production.  

SW: What are the challenges of getting a production of Annie ‘right’?

DW: I guess like so many community theatre productions, the ‘time’ factor. With two groups of children and two Annies, each scene has to be rehearsed twice each rehearsal, cutting into the limited time one has in community theatre.

SW: What is that you love about the show?

DW: I think it’s a happy, infectious and tuneful show as well as a clever satire on politics and economics. I also think this show has such happy memories for Greg and I as the original Annie was such a fabulous time in our life.

SW: What can audiences expect from this production?

DW: Hopefully, they will go home feeling they’ve been royally entertained and realised the talent that is out there in community theatre. 

SW: Why do you think this musical in particular is so successful with audiences?

DW: Well, I guess the main thing is that it has such a happy ending and how can you go wrong with a show about children and a dog.

SW: What’s been the most creatively challenging aspect of this show?

DW: I think the most challenging part is creating the era. This is being ably assisted by our fabulous wardrobe department, who are working extremely hard with dozens of costumes to create the period.  I don’t understand how Annie can be transported to modern times as it has been in the latest movie. Although I have to admit I haven’t seen it, to me Annie is based on a cartoon written in the 1930’s about the Depression so I guess I’m a traditionalist at heart and hate seeing the original concept destroyed.

SW: Can audiences expect a traditional version?

DW: Well I’m not sure how to answer this one as Annie is done today with a very different, rather more “sexy’’ Miss Hannigan and a large ensemble cast. I’m returning to the small ensemble cast and ‘wicked witch of the west’ type Miss Hannigan.

SW: How has it been dealing with a double cast of orphans?

DW: These orphans have been fabulous to work with. However, as I said before the rehearsal period is the hardest with doing each scene twice and of course, Annie is in nearly every scene so it can be a tiring process, especially for those sitting around waiting, principals and ensemble.

SW: Are there any particular challenges that the Bryan Brown Theatre presents?

DW: Yes, there are quite a few challenges with the Bryan Brown. In particular, the stage area which runs towards the back in a ‘V’ shape. This makes it very difficult scenically. Also there is hardly any wing space and there is no place in front of the stage for orchestra. It has to be in a room apart and electronically fed into the theatre.

SW: What is it like working on a show together as a married couple?

DW: I love working together. It’s great being able to bounce off each other with our thoughts. We have quite a drive home at night, so we get to discuss our thoughts about the rehearsals and new ideas on the way home.

Annie plays at the Bryan Brown Theatre, Bankstown, from  March 11 to 20. More details www.bankstowntheatrecompany.com

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