They say to never work with children or animals…well, YorkLight’s production of Annie proved that it is perfectly possible!

Annie is a heartwarming musical about a brave and cheerful orphan girl who lives in a strict orphanage run by the mean Miss Hannigan. Her luck changes one day when she is invited to spend Christmas with the billionaire tycoon Oliver Warbucks, and Annie’s kindness and optimism quickly win his heart. When Annie tries to find her real parents, Miss Hannigan and her brother try to trick Warbucks for money. In the end, their plan fails, and Warbucks adopts Annie, giving her the loving family she always hoped for.

The young cast (Yellow Team the night we went) impressed with their confidence, energy and talent that shone throughout. Ably led by Hattie Wells as Annie, they danced and sang with such enthusiasm. Wells has strong vocals for one so young and is surely destined to be a stage star in the future. Wells’ rendition of the famous song ‘Tomorrow’ was simply beautiful. And her handling of the cute but somewhat unpredictable Sandy (Primrose from the lab) was also highly professional. A special mention must go to Emilia Cole as Molly, whose constant sunny smile and boundless energy really stood out.

Annabel Van Griethuysen really brought Miss Hannigan to life in this production. The role depends so much on timing, attitude, and character detail, and, played realistically as it was, it made the comedy parts even better. Her rendition of “Little Girls” is especially important because it defines Miss Hannigan’s personality; this was a highlight of the show.

Neil Wood as Oliver Warbucks also made a strong impression, and his singing voice had a rich and full-bodied tone with excellent control. The change from him being harsh and authoritative to soft and loving was clearly defined during “Why Should I Change a Thing?”

These talented performers were well supported by Sarah Craggs as Grace Farrell, John Hall as President Roosevelt and the experienced and accomplished members of the ensemble.

The relatively small band, led by Paul Laidlaw, provided excellent musical support by playing with energy, precision, and sensitivity for the performers on stage. The big, high-energy numbers and the quieter, more tender scenes were equally well delivered, highlighting the band’s versatility.

Under the thoughtful direction of Martyn Knight, alongside assistant director Kathryn Addison, the show came together as a truly wonderful performance. Their vision created not just an entertaining musical but a production with a genuine sense of community spirit and warmth.

Well done, YorkLight.

Annie 12th Feb 26 - 21st Feb 26 at York Theatre Royal. More information click here