LEISURE: Annie the musical is a hit in Somerton

THE sun has definitely come out this week for members of Somerton Dramatic Society and their latest production – the ever-popular musical Annie.

The story about the little orphan girl stuck in the orphanage under the management of Miss Hannigan until she is “rescued” by the billionaire Oliver Warbucks is well-known with some super songs such as It’s a Hard Knock Life, Little Girls, Easy Street, You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile, and Tomorrow.

The society has pulled out all the stops with this production which opened at the Parish Rooms in Somerton on Wednesday (April 6, 2016) and runs until Saturday (August 9, 2016) with each performance officially sold out.

The Yeovil Press went along to the show on Tuesday (April 5, 2016) for a dress rehearsal run through to get some photos and to see Annie brought to life on the compact stage of the Parish Rooms.

Esme Ellis took the lead role of Annie with confident aplomb and sang her solo songs excellently and worked well in group numbers as well.

She led the orphans superbly and they too were brilliant and the young actresses will no doubt this week be making some mums and dads and grandparents very proud and probably wiping a few tears away as well.

Sherry Briggs took on the role of Miss Hannigan in true Miss Hannigan style with her trusted bottle of “medicine” always within easy reach and her dislike of the children was all too apparent.

She had a good rapport on stage with her brother Rooster (played by Luke Davies) and his partner-in-crime Lily (played by Jemma Stanton).

Colin Francis took on the role of super-rich Oliver Warbucks with ease and worked well with his assistant Grace Ferrell (played by Michelle Mitchell) and butler Drake (played by Henry Grant).

There was a great scene in which an appeal was made on the wireless to find Annie’s long-lost parents with Bert Healy (played by Francis Cawley) with the Boylan Sisters (Josie Mitchell, Chloe Bassham and Holly-Ann Thornton).

While another memorable scene came at the White House and the singing of arguably the most famous song of the show – Tomorrow.

Special mention must go to Colin Coombes for his portrayal of the President Franklin D. Roosevelt. For a complete newcomer to the stage he put in a great performance and, most importantly of all, looked as if he was enjoying playing the most powerful man in the world.

To coin an actual phrase used by the 32nd President of the United States and one used in the musical - “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself” and Colin showed no fear on stage.

But every President needs a good team behind them and the entire cast of Annie worked together as a team to put on a super show…..and we can’t forget to mention Trudy the dog who was simply adorable as Annie’s Sandy.

Congratulations to all involved.

Cast: Annie, Esme Ellis; Molly, Keira-Leigh Mitchell; Pepper, Isabel Waller; Duffy, Cerys Powell; July, Emma Turnbull-Kirk; Tessie, Charlotte Eastmead-Hoare; Kate, Tillie Wall; orphans – Chloe Manley; Daisy Osborne; Elena Bomers; Isabella Coombes; Keona Wilcox; Lottie Pike; Macy Lewis; Ricci Grant; Stella Gwynn and Tabby Staton.

Miss Hannigan, Sherry Briggs; Lt Ward/Bert Healy, Francis Cawley; Sophie/Fred, Patricia Allen; Grace Ferrell, Michelle Mitchell; Drake, Henry Grant; Mrs Green/Usherette, Jo Ellis; Mrs Pugh/Servant, Gill Manley; Oliver Warbucks, Colin Francis; Star-to-Be, Macy Lewis; Annette, Chloe Manley; Rooster/Dog Catcher, Luke Davies; Lily/Apple Seller, Jemma Stanton.

Bundles/Roosevelt, Colin Coombes; Ronnie Boylan, Josie Mitchell; Bonnie Boylan/Cecille, Chloe Bassham; Connie Boylan, Holly-Ann Thornton; Morganthau, Rachel Garrett; Kaltenhborn/Eddie/Judge, Julie Bassham; Perkins, Kerri Pike; Ickes, Luke Carpenter; Hull, Fin Vowles; Howe, Callum Powell; Sandy the Dog, Trudy the Dog.

More photos from the show can be found in these galleries – listed below. If anyone would like any copies of the photos – please email the Yeovil Press at yeovilpress@gmail.com .

Annie Photo Gallery Part 1 with Somerton Dramatic Society: http://www.yeovilpress.co.uk/blog/2016/04/06/annie-with-somerton-dramatic-society-part-1-april-2016/ .

Annie Photo Gallery Part 2 with Somerton Dramatic Society: http://www.yeovilpress.co.uk/blog/2016/04/06/annie-with-somerton-dramatic-society-part-2-april-2016/

Annie Photo Gallery Part 3 with Somerton Dramatic Society: http://www.yeovilpress.co.uk/blog/2016/04/06/annie-with-somerton-dramatic-society-part-3-april-2016/ .

Annie Photo Gallery Part 4 with Somerton Dramatic Society: http://www.yeovilpress.co.uk/blog/2016/04/06/annie-with-somerton-dramatic-society-part-4-april-2016/ .

Annie Photo Gallery Part 5 with Somerton Dramatic Society: http://www.yeovilpress.co.uk/blog/2016/04/06/annie-with-somerton-dramatic-society-part-5-april-2016/ .

Annie Photo Gallery Part 6 with Somerton Dramatic Society: http://www.yeovilpress.co.uk/blog/2016/04/06/annie-with-somerton-dramatic-society-part-6-april-2016/ .

Annie Photo Gallery Part 7 with Somerton Dramatic Society: http://www.yeovilpress.co.uk/blog/2016/04/06/annie-with-somerton-dramatic-society-part-7-april-2016/ .

Annie Photo Gallery Part 8 with Somerton Dramatic Society: http://www.yeovilpress.co.uk/blog/2016/04/06/annie-with-somerton-dramatic-society-part-8-april-2016/ .

Annie Photo Gallery Part 9 with Somerton Dramatic Society: http://www.yeovilpress.co.uk/blog/2016/04/06/annie-with-somerton-dramatic-society-part-9-april-2016/ .

Annie Photo Gallery Part 10 with Somerton Dramatic Society: http://www.yeovilpress.co.uk/blog/2016/04/06/annie-with-somerton-dramatic-society-part-10-april-2016/ .

Annie Photo Gallery Part 11 with Somerton Dramatic Society: http://www.yeovilpress.co.uk/blog/2016/04/06/annie-with-somerton-dramatic-society-part-11-april-2016/ .

Annie Photo Gallery Part 12 with Somerton Dramatic Society: http://www.yeovilpress.co.uk/blog/2016/04/06/annie-with-somerton-dramatic-society-part-12-april-2016/ .

PHOTOS: For more photos from Annie with the Somerton Dramatic Society - checkout our photo galleries on this website.

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