Talented cast ready to put on Annie Jr
The cast of Annie Jr. Photo - Gary Harrison manxmania.com
Atalented young cast – including Sophie the dog – are set to take to the Gaiety Theatre stage next week to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Broadway show Annie.
The island stage production of Annie Jr features a cast of all under 18s and follows the success of JT Productions’ Bugsy Malone show last October.
James Turpin said: ‘Last minute preparations are going well and the children are very excited about getting into theatre.
‘Sandy our dog [real name Sophie] has also had a dress rehearsal and will wow audiences with her performance.’
The heart-warming show tells the story of 11-year-old Annie who escapes from her all-girls orphanage to go in search of her real parents.
Annie is picked to spend the Christmas holiday at billionaire Mr Warbucks’ mansion, who then puts up a $50,000 reward to the couple who can prove they are her parents.
There are a number of iconic songs, which the audience will recognise from the 1982 film, including Tomorrow, Hard Knock Life, Maybe and Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile.
In the production, Annie is played by Lois Mooney, aged 12, who goes to Queen Elizabeth II High School.
Juan Riordan, aged 16, of St Ninian’s High School, plays Mr Warbucks while fellow student Paige Gilmour, also 16, plays Miss Hannigan.
QEII pupil Saroja Lily Ratnavel, 14, takes on the role of Grace Farrell, while fellow student Beth Thomas, 15, and St Ninian’s pupil Hannah Morrison, 14, share the role of Lily St Reges.
Rooster will be played by 14-year-old Ben Karran, who goes to St Ninian’s.
A number of the cast performed in Bugsy Malone.
The show is directed by Gary Chatel and choreographed by Gena Turpin.
James said this week had seen him sorting out the set and props as well as ‘all things technical’, including lighting and sound.
They will have Sunday and Monday in the theatre before it opens its doors on Tuesday.
Annie Jr will run from Tuesday evening until Saturday.
The show starts at 7.30pm each night, with a final matinee performance at 2.30pm on Saturday.
Adult tickets cost £16 in the stalls and £17 in the circle. Senior citizens pay £14/15.
Tickets are available from the box office on 600555, at the Welcome Centre at the Sea Terminal or online at www.villagaiety.com
For family tickets (two adults and two under-16s) and under-16 concessions call the box office only.
l Meanwhile, JT Productions has announced that it will be producing an adults show of The Full Monty, to be staged at the Gaiety Theatre. It will be directed by David Artus.
James added: ‘However we maybe back next year with a youth theatre production so watch this space!’
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Weather for Isle of Man
Monday 20 May 2013
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