School Production – “Annie”

Nothing conveys the strength and depth of a school more than a musical and Bloomfield Collegiate was delighted to present “Annie” to great acclaim this November.

In the depths of the 1930s American depression, “Annie” tells the extraordinary story of the fiery orphan girl who must live in a miserable orphanage. Bethan McCl delivered a wonderful performance as the eponymous heroine, with a terrific balance of longing and wide-eyed positivity. Particularly enjoyable was her soaring rendition of the famous ballad “Tomorrow”.

With a scowling face and a gift for physical comedy, Esther D played the embittered Miss Hannigan who has a tyrannical grip on the orphanage and is determined to keep Annie and the other girls in their place. An obvious highlight from the show was the incredibly cute orphans’ performance of “It’s a Hard Knock Life”.

The rags-to-riches tale follows Annie’s escape from the grubby orphanage to the excitement of New York City, finding a new home and family in billionaire Oliver Warbucks and his personal secretary, Grace F. Ellie A showed her incredible acting range as the cold-hearted industrialist melting with Annie’s infectious warmth. The developing relationship with the secretary, played with warmth by Amy-Jane W, was also adorable.

As they try to ruin Annie’s hope for the future, the comic slyness of Nadia B was a pitch-perfect performance as Rooster and Polly J impressed as the hilarious partner in crime.

The convincing dance routines throughout the show by the entire cast were as spectacular as the imaginative and colourful set created by girls studying A-Level art in Bloomfield. The music was also performed superbly by the talented girls from the school.

Bloomfield Collegiate School’s production of “Annie” with the large number of pupils and teachers involved epitomises our ethos: excellence in a caring community. The audience were laughing, crying and laughing again. You can bet your bottom dollar they were singing along with the cast by the end of the show!