Annie

Marina Theatre, Lowestoft

It was wet and miserable and I did not want to go out, but I had a date at the Marina Theatre to see the hit West End musical Annie and, boy, am I glad I made the effort.

Everyone knows the story of little orphan Annie who is taken from the orphanage she was placed in as baby with only a note and the broken half of a locket from her parents.

Billionaire Oliver Warbucks rescues her from the wicked Miss Hannigan who runs the orphanage and finally adopts Annie.

Ruth Madoc was superb as gin-soaked Miss Hannigan and David McAlister gave a great performance as Daddy Warbucks.

The whole cast gave their all for this opening night and none more so than the 14-year-old in the title role, Stacey Hunt, with her rendering of Tomorrow.

The nine 'orphans', all from the Lowestoft area, gave an energetic and professional performance, particularly of It's a Hardknock Life.

It was good to see that Lowestoft is attracting more professional productions and quality performances.

Annie combines both and also has the ultimate feel-good factor.