Chesham Bois Catholic Players to perform Annie this month

Jan 12 2012 by Camilla Goodman, Buckinghamshire Advertiser

YOU may be familiar with the saying ‘never work with children or animals’ - well Chesham Bois Catholic Players is doing just that in its upcoming production of the well-known musical Annie.

The show will be gracing the Elgiva, in St Mary’s Way, for just five performances this month.

The large cast of about 40 people is made up of both adults and children from the surrounding areas.

The musical tells the story of optimistic orphan Annie and her adventures from Miss Hannigan’s orphanage to the luxurious home of Oliver Warbucks. Set in 1930s New York, the show features well-known songs including It’s a Hard Knock Life, Easy Street and, of course, Tomorrow.

The two teams of orphans, who perform at different shows, are led by two local girls playing the part of Annie, Charis Lister, nine, from Chesham, and Madeleine Hockey, 10, who lives in Amersham. Both girls are very excited to be playing such a well-known character.

Charis, who has performed with the Maggie Monk Dance School, said: “I was really amazed to get the part and I’m looking forward to doing it for real in front of the audience – and wearing the red wig!”

The Annie audition was Madeleine’s first and she was surprised and delighted to get the part. She is part of the Tryad drama group and says she is looking forward to having the chance to perform in front of her friends and family. Having watched her parents perform on stage for years this is her chance to find out what it is like.

The role of Oliver ‘Daddy’ Warbucks is filled by Steve Martin, who has been involved in amateur dramatics for more than 40 years including acting, singing and backstage work in a number of different countries including Belgium and Singapore. He was nominated for Best Actor award at the FEATS (Festival of European Anglophone Theatrical Societies) in Geneva for his role as the Clown in Death of a Clown. He has recently returned from Switzerland and is now living in Chesham.

Another very important character in the show is the stray dog Annie finds wandering New York. Sandy is played by Buster, a two-year-old bichon frise/shih tzu cross which the Americans commonly call a ‘teddy bear’. It is his first role on stage and he is loving all the attention from the cast.

Director David Martin said: “Although I’ve directed many shows over the years, I’ve not directed Annie before, but I am looking forward to it as it is well structured, has a nice storyline and some really catchy songs.

“They say never to work with children and animals, but this show, like Oliver!, has both. However, I really enjoy working with young actors and have done so several times previously.

“There is quite a bit of comedy in this show too, and we are having some fun at rehearsals.”

You can catch Annie at The Elgiva from Wednesday, January 18 to Saturday, January 21 at 7.30pm on Wednesday to Friday and 2.30pm and 6.30pm on Saturday.

l Tickets are £14.50 (full), £12.50 (conc) and £50 for a family (two children and two adults).

For tickets call, The Elgiva box office on 01494 582 900 or visit www.elgiva.com.