ANNIE FOR THE PLAYHOUSE OPERA

 

(Above: Daddy Warbucks (Daniel Mayiza, left) with Annie (Kaitlyn Rex, centre) and President Roosevelt (in wheelchair), with President’s staff)

Pix by Val Adamson

 

Exuberant, joyful, hope filled. (Review by Shannon Kenny)

The context: The Young Performers’ Project (YPP), founded in 2001 by theatre impresario, the late Themi Venturas, is a Durban-based initiative that seeks to nurture and grow young musical theatre performers from across the eThekwini metro. Auditions are conducted each year to find eligible project members who are taken through their paces during rehearsals for a large-scale musical theatre production. By staging at least one large-scale musical each year, aspiring performers from senior primary age onwards are able to learn and hone invaluable theatrical skills and discipline from the professional director, choreographer, musical director and at least one professional actor - as well as from senior, more skilled peers in primary, high school and those completing their tertiary studies - through the rigour and joy of the rehearsal process.

This year, YPP has brought Annie the musical to the Playhouse Opera stage from July 4 to 13 - and I am so very pleased that they have. The story of a determined and hopeful foundling longing for - and finding - a family in the midst of Depression-era New York, is timeless. The exuberance, joy and hope that radiated from sterling performances into the theatre and the hearts of the audience was just what we all needed - and could do with more of.

In the opening scene we are introduced to a gem of a performer in Kaitlyn Rex as Annie - ably supported by fellow orphans Alex Bloom (Kate), Abigael Peters (July), Annabelle Patrick (Pepper), Lulonke Mpisi (Tessie), Mackenzie Judge (Molly) and Ava Govender (Duffy).

 

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(Above: Miss Hannigan’s orphanage)

Kaitlyn’s Annie is spunky, self-assured, kind, vulnerable and full of hope which she brings to every scene - just where it’s needed - from the reflective solo Maybe to the punchy Hard Knock Life delivered with gusto along with the rest of the orphans.

Of course, the audience was nothing less than charmed when our Annie launched into Tomorrow. How could we not be hopeful after a song like that - or after being introduced to Sandy (played by Lucy), the stray dog Annie befriends.

Annie’s fellow orphans brought genuine playfulness, camaraderie, mischief and fine voices to each of their scenes.

Grace McIlroy brings to life orphanage overseer, the cruel Miss Hannigan, in all her boozy, sulky, shamelessly flirtatious and farcical glory. The contempt Hannigan has for her charges and her own life is delivered with hilarity and just a touch of pathos in Little Girls. Her uproariously funny attempts at seducing everyone from Bundles the laundry man to Oliver Warbucks garnered the guffaws they were meant to.

Chloe Marot’s elegant and warm Grace Farrell (secretary to billionaire Oliver Warbucks) provides a fitting contrast to Miss Hannigan.

 

(Right: Daddy Warbucks (Daniel Mayiza) with Annie (Kaitlyn Rex)

 

Daniel Mayiza delivers an Oliver Warbucks whose transition from hard-nosed business mogul to dad is well-handled. 

His rendition of Something was Missing was particularly touching.

Nathan Kruger appears with explosive energy as the scheming con-man, Rooster Hannigan, and Jenna van Eyssen holds her own as Rooster’s trashy girlfriend and petty-thief, Lily St Regis. 

Together they are so funny - and eerily believable as slimy swindlers.

Easy Street was a standout number, delivered with aplomb by Rooster, Lily and Miss Hannigan, to much deserved applause from the audience.

 

(Miss Hannigan (Grace McIlroy); Lily St Regis (Jenna Van Eyssen) and Rooster Hannigan (Nathan Kruger).)

Some lovely cameos worth a mention came from Ntsako Mngoma and Khethukuthula Ngcobo in the satirical and darkly funny “Hooverville” scene. Joslyn Walters’ vocals in NYC drew much applause for her fine vocals - and I almost did not notice the cast she sported on her leg. Every big company scene worked so well precisely because every performer from the youngest to the most senior was focused, present - with music and choreography flowing seamlessly. Choreographer, Evashnee Pillay and Musical director, Des Govender are to be saluted!

Buhlebenkhosi Ngema’s every appearance as the very proper head housekeeper, Mrs Drake, was sheer delight, with lovely comic timing.

James Armstrong’s doddery President Roosevelt was well received by our audience.

What a sensitive and nuanced performance from Lwandle Luthuli, who brought distinctiveness to each of the characters, no matter how fleeting - Apple seller, Mrs Pugh, Oval Office official – she portrayed.

Radio host Burt Healy (Matthew Brown) and the Boylan sisters (Skhulile Gwala, Nelisiwe Zimba and Anele Mtshali) were just gold in the Oxydent studio scene. Comic timing and harmonies were on point.

And what a parade of costumes! Kudos to Kathy Singery - she does make it look so easy - costumier, seamstress and repair shop for the myriad costumes. The big Warbucks mansion scenes were particularly glorious to behold.

The production team have had a gargantuan task on their hands with a permanent cast of nearly 50 actors, singers and dancers; an alternating cast of around 35 orphans - and a dog.

The Opera stage full of energy, talent and joy is what we should be seeing more of.

For director, Daisy Spencer, the themes of optimism in the midst of inclement times, family beyond blood ties and Love are what make this story special and this exuberant, multi-talented cast of young souls has certainly done the story – and their director - proud.

This show is a treat, a delight. It was easy to forget at times that the people on stage (other than Nathan) were either still in school or college. Kids. Everyone sparkled and brought to the stage their very best. Yes, I am so very proud of them. And all of Durban should be, too.

Bring the kids the grannies, the dads, the mums. Do not miss this gem!

Annie is staged by The Young Performers Project NPC in association with The Playhouse Company and DALRO.

The show runs at 120 minutes, with an interval. It is suitable for age four and above.

Tickets through Webtickets and Pick n Pay stores nationwide. Public tickets: R150 – R280 (OAPS:  10% Discount on all seats) School and Block bookings please contact yppdurban@gmail.com

Parking available at Royal Hotel.

 

The disclaimer: I am familiar with several of the cast, having served as their drama teacher in the past or currently as a tutor. And in the case of one self-described “random orphan, poor person and New Yorker”, a parent – Shannon Kenny