Review: Children and pooch in adorable production of Annie

A combination of both in the musical Annie guaranteed big audiences at the town’s Assembly Rooms last week.

Children and the dog behaved beautifully in their respective roles, acting on cue in a praiseworthy offering.

Sienna Alsop in the title role showed little sign of first-night nerves in a heart-warming performance as the orphan for whom fortune strikes when she’s taken in by a billionaire businessman.

Four-legged friend Coco, playing Sandy, followed her lead, only disobeying the little star’s request once which added to the enjoyment.

Callum Priest maintained the role of detached Daddy Warbucks well, complemented by Charlotte Blunt as glamorous, kind secretary Grace.

Comedy came from the terrific trio of Sophie Clifford playing orphanage tyrant Miss Hannigan, Jared Higgins as her no-good brother Rooster and Grace Randall as partner in crime Lily. Their rendition of Easy Street was a highlight of the show.

The orphans were delightful, one getting dumped in a laundry basket, another getting wedged in a bucket.

A temporary failure of spotlights and a stuck sliding door were the only glitches.

Annie was directed by Donna Knowles and produced by Wendy Blunt, the latter also musical director.

Annie continues its run at the Assembly Rooms, Bolsover, until Saturday.