One of the greatest musicals of all time is currently being staged in Saundersfoot.
'Annie', the well-loved tale about the fortunes of the little orphan girl, her life of grinding poverty in a New York orphanage and her adventure which leads to an encounter with tycoon Oliver Warbucks, is being brought to life by Footlights at the Regency Hall.
Directed by Helen Wright, the show combines a strong story-line with an abundance of singing and dancing to produce a feast of lively entertainment for all the family to enjoy.
Annie, who was left at the orphanage as a babe in arms with only a note and half a broken locket around her neck, dreams of the day her parents will return to collect her.
Young Stevie O'Neill stars as the feisty, yet adorable orphan, whose youthful optimism shines through despite all odds.
Stevie, who immediately won the hearts of the audience, gave a strong performance throughout the two-and-a-half-hour show and displayed a fine singing voice particularly in the show's best remembered song 'Tomorrow'.
Annie's only friends are the other children who also endure a 'hard knock life' at the rundown orphanage run by the dastardly Miss Hannigan - a role powerfully portrayed by Miranda Davies - who is passionate in her hatred of little girls.
The orphans, played by Megan Hickling, Sita Thomas, Bonita Davies, Robyn Hickling, Katie John and Joanne Ayres, put their heart and soul into the production as they enthralled the audience with their versatility and commitment.
Their first class renditions of 'It's a Hard Knock Life' and 'Dressed Children' were particularly memorable.
As the Christmas of 1933 approaches, Annie - now 11- runs away from the orphanage in a bid to find happiness, but is returned by Lt. Ward (Hadyn Jones) of the New York Police.
However, she catches the eye of Grace Farrell (Linda Gwyther), private secretary of wealthy American, Oliver Warbucks, who invites an orphan to spend Christmas with him at his New York mansion.
Annie is chosen and she has the time of her life with the tycoon who she soon wins the heart of with her cheerful outlook on life.
Once again, David Owen wears two hats for the show, for as well as being assistant director, he also confidently treads the boards as the big-hearted billionaire who decides to adopt Annie.
As well as all the catchy musical numbers, a touch of mischief is added to the plot by Miss Hannigan's disreputable brother Rooster (Max Thomas) and Lily St. Regis (Hulda Butler), who after hearing Warbucks has offered a reward of $50,000 in a search for Annie's parents, hatch a plan to dupe Warbucks and claim the money themselves.
There were also enjoyable performances from Marguerite Blumsum as ventriloquist, Fred McCracken, Brian Tilley, who played smarmy radio star Bert Healy, and David John, who portrayed President Franklyn D. Roosevelt.
Other members of the cast and chorus were Graham Thomas, Emma Wilson, Jack Docherty, Niamh Jones, Helen Wright, Anne Docherty, Jorge Wright, Cliff Hall, Jane Hall, Diane Phillips, Sophie Mackintosh, Robyn Saunders, Robert Wright, Lucy Ives, Francess Jones.
Also not putting a paw wrong was Annie's companion dog, Sandy, a part shared between Kim, Blodwen and Mac, while another four-legged friend gets caught by the New York dog wardens, played by Ceri Phillips and Amy Ives.
The whole production was enhanced by the eye-catching and realistic scenery designed by stage manager, Keith Williams, and the lively dance routines choreographed by Miranda Davies and Hulda Butler, while the costumes by Carolyn Elms, Pauline Hunting, Sybil Wiston and cast also captured the early 1930s era of the show.
Musical direction/orchestration was once again in the capable hands of Clive Raymond, who also played in the orchestra with Eileen Thomas, John McGarry, Claire Hovey, Nia Bell, Dominic Norcross, Jason Osborne, Andrea Thomas, Matthew Bowden and Joanne Underwood.
Other members of the production team were: assistant stage manager - Jorge Wright; lighting - Paul Mathias and Alun Gordon; sound - Robert Wright; set construction - Keith Williams, Steve Butler, Jorge Wright, Cliff Skidmore, Brian Tilley, Hadyn Jones and David Owen; box office - Pauline Hunting, Alison Skidmore and volunteers; and refreshments - Joyce Owen and volunteers.
From beginning to end, the cast gave exuberant and fully rounded performances whatever their role which made 'Annie' another success for Footlights.
The show has two more performances tonight (Friday) and tomorrow (Saturday). Curtain up is at 7.30 pm. Doors open at 7 pm and tickets are available beforehand at Evans Newsagents or at the hall on the night.