Westonbirt School’s talented girls gave two magnificent performances of ‘Annie’ on Friday 15 and Saturday 16 of 
March in the School’s Orangery Theatre to two sell-out audiences.
Annie is a spunky Depression-era orphan determined to find her parents, who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of a New York City Orphanage run by the cruel, embittered Miss Hannigan.
In adventure after fun-filled adventure, Annie foils Miss Hannigan’s evil machinations, befriends President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and finds a new family and home in billionaire Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary Grace Farrell and a lovable mutt named Sandy.
The performances, given by arrangement with JOSEF WEINBERGER LIMITED featured the well-known numbers ‘Hard Knock Life’ ‘Tomorrow’ and ‘Maybe’, as well as showstoppers from the stage production – the dazzling ‘NYC’ and the gritty ‘Hooverville’.
The 70 strong cast and crew involved girls from all years of the senior school. They were all extremely dedicated 
and have put an enormous amount of effort into the show since rehearsals began last term.
Their hard work truly paid off and their talent shone through in this dynamic production, which spilled out into the isles and balcony of the theatre, giving the audience a three dimensional experience not to be forgotten!
The key role of ‘Annie’ was shared by two girls from year 9, Sophia Rossi and Emily Pearn, both giving brilliant performances on alternate nights.
The challenging part of Miss Hannigan was played superbly by Alice Wordsworth, while Isabel Amison (Grace) and Phoebe Lowes (Mr Warbucks) gave faultless performances throughout.
Not only did the performers sing and act but dancing lead the way in this production. The ensemble delighted with their complex routines but the showstopping trio of Lydia Marshall (Rooster), Sophie Mineif (Lily St Regis) and Alice Wordsworth (Miss Hannigan) stole the night with their comical rendition of ‘Easy Street’.
The performers were supported by a band of professional musicians and a slick back stage team, who even appeared in costume to change the set in character. Light and sound equipment was provided by Chinnick Theatre Services and P.A Turner Sound Ltd. Friends, families and staff worked hard to gather hundreds of costumes and make 60 orphan smocks! And Cotswold Costumes ensured that the principal characters sparkled in the starring roles.
Music and the Performing Arts are at the heart of the school and continue to thrive under the new Head of Drama Miss Ginny Hemming. Mrs Dangerfield our new Head commented “What a thrilling introduction to my first term here. The cast, crew and supporting staff made sure the audience had a fantastic night and it was both a pleasure and a feat to have so many involved in a school production. If this is the beginning, we have great things to look forward to.”
Join us for our OPEN MORNING on Saturday 18 May, 09:30am – 12:30pm.