Annie Jr

As Australia gets excited for the next professional production of Annie, Pinjarra has had its own little dose of Annie, with Murray Music and Drama Club’s very professional feeling production of Annie Jr. Featuring a cast aged 8 to 18, this young cast were focused, well-drilled and beautifully prepared to present a high-quality show.

The set was relatively simple, but expertly finished and a 1930s New York skyline provided an overarching theme as the story moves from locale to locale (the Junior version never leaves New York). Era appropriate costumes, co-ordinated by Tammy Peckover were classy and effective and added to the polish, while lighting designed by Lori Anders was emotionally supportive.

As with all Junior productions, performers worked to the good quality supplied backing track, and aside from the occasional late microphone, sound operation and balance was good.

Violette Russo, already becoming an Annie veteran after shining as Molly in HAMA’s Annie at The Regal earlier this year, stepped up into the title role for this production. Gorgeously voiced, she delivered an emotive and nuanced performance that overcame the limited time for character arc in the shorter production. This was somewhat of a family affair, with older brother Miles excelling as Roosevelt, and a very charming Bert Healey. His twin Isla was lovely as orphan Duffy.

The orphans were a great little team, with some outstanding voices. Awesome work from Stephanie Fahl (Kate) and Ayla Dean With amazing community theatre debuts from Lacey McCormack (Molly), Alisha Coleman (Tessie), Eilidh McKay (Pepper), Minerva Orellana (July), Abbey Haine and Adelaide De Filippo. 

Miss Hannigan was played by Emily Ranford, one of the oldest in the cast, with maturity and a great understanding of character. A lovely trio emerges with Darian Peckover, slick and villainous as Rooster Hannigan, and Elissa Murday lovely as the vampish Lily St Regis.

Henry Hayes played Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks with a deliberate awkwardness that I have never seen played before - it was great to see and worked well. His secretary Grace was given kindness and sophistication by Claudia Flamini, another Musical Theatre debut.

 In smaller roles, Saxon McGuire was an authoritative Drake, Tyler Larado owned the stage as Star to Be, and Halle McDonald made a very cute Sandy, with many others making the most of cameo roles, and a talented ensemble working hard throughout.

The first musical for director Rp Van der Westhuizen, it was expertly guided, and was tight, not just for a youth production, but for any show.

Murray Music and Drama’s first youth show in many years (perhaps ever) was an undeniable success. It was a shame that it had such a short season - as it was a very strong show, that deserved to be seen. 

Kimberley Shaw