Theatre Royal - Lincoln 2001

The rags to riches story of little orphan Annie must be heralded as the ultimate feel good musical of all time. It has everything; comedy, pathos, spectacular contrasting sets and a wonderful musical score. Add to this a bunch of talented youngsters and a highly experienced cast of top musical performers and you simply can't fail.

Annie tells the tale of a baby girl abandoned and left to grow up in a New York Orphanage during the great depression, under the dubious care of the gin soaked spinster Agatha Hannigan whose tyrannical grasp over the child is finally loosed and broken by the billionaire business tycoon Oliver Warbucks. 

Sending his personal secretary Grace Farrell to the orphanage, in order to invite an orphan to stay for Christmas, Warbucks soon realises that Annie is what his life has lacked and arranges to adopt her. His plans are almost dashed when Annie announces she is waiting for the day her real parents return for her. Wanting Annie's happiness at any cost, Warbucks pledges to find them for her enlisting the help of the FBI and the President of the United States along the way. Meantime the infamous Miss Hannigan recently reunited with her brother Rooster after his release from jail, and his girlfriend Lily devise a plan to deceive Warbucks into believing Rooster and Lily are the missing parents with the despicable Miss Hannigan providing the proof, thus putting the trio on easy street by means of Warbucks substantial reward. Fortunately good triumphs over evil and their plans are thwarted when it is discovered that Annie's real parents are in fact dead. And so the way is left clear for Warbucks to adopt Annie after all thus providing the perfect happy ending.

Set at Christmas, the timing of this production could not have been better but it was towards the end of last year when plans for this show were conceived with a certain amount of trepidation. Annie was a massive undertaking and the biggest musical ever produced on stage at the Theatre Royal - Lincoln. Once the technical side of the production was arranged, thoughts turned to the cast. It was producer Chris Moreno who provided the inspiration for casting Vicki as Agatha Hannigan. Director Chris Colby had initial reservations believing her to be too glamorous for the role however, as Moreno pointed out she is a terrific actress who could and should do it. So Vicki was approached and after a long lunch at the Groucho Club in London, Vicki accepted the role.

In the roles of Oliver Warbucks and Grace Farrell were Simon Masterton-Smith, a founder member of the Doyley-Carte Company and Louise English of Fresh Fields, Brush Strokes and various musical exploits too numerous to mention. The company was completed by a cast of over forty actors and musicians. 

The show opened on Tuesday 13th November 2001 and ran until Sunday 2nd December. And the audience reaction was equal to some of the finest West End shows of all time. For Vicki, it was truly an emotional experience. Playing to packed houses with standing ovations at most performances it undoubtedly was her finest theatrical hour to date, her indefatigably dynamic performances being matched only by the rapturous applause of the audiences. Of course there were the perfectly timed comic moments we have come to expect from her, not least in some two way exchanges with the audiences but her renditions of Little Girls and Easy Street displayed dance and vocal talents hitherto only glimpsed before. 

This truly brilliant cast worked wholly as a team and deserved all the accolades the rave reviews bestowed upon them.

Reviews

The Stage

Vicki Michelle as the drunken floozy Miss Hannigan is typically to be seen with whistle in one hand and bottle of spirits in the other. Her shameless shenanigans stole some of the most memorable moments of the show with time for some playful banter with some members of the audience who dared to side with the children.

Vicki Michelle, Matthew Hewitt & Hayley Longhurst - Brilliant in the number Easy Street.

The cast have a spring in their step and smile on their face from start to finish and the natural ease with which they work together breathes new life into the musical classic.

In every respect- this is something to make a song and dance about.

Lincoln Chronicle

One of the biggest and best productions to come to Lincoln Theatre Royal and unmissable.

Huge sets, beautifully dressed costumes, excellent adult cast.

The very well cast Vicki Michelle is a lovely - to - watch and grotesquely dislikeable Miss Hannigan.

Lincolnshire Echo

A full house and standing ovation paid tribute to a great cast and set.

The greatest and perhaps most worthwhile investment the Theatre Royal has ever made.

Marlowe Theatre - Canterbury  2005

Vicki returned to the role of Miss Hannigan in the spring of 2005 for producer Kevin Wood at The Marlowe Theatre - Canterbury. The production was the latest in a series of annual community projects staged at The Marlowe Theatre Canterbury, combining leading star actors with the finest of Kent’s talented performers resulting in a stage event of epic proportions. Directed by Eric Potts with a cast of over 600, a staging of such magnitude requires a great deal of dedication, enthusiasm and team spirit all of which were evident in abundance with the show proving to be a resounding success. Not only did the show entertain at the highest level but served as a vehicle to enhance community relationships providing valuable experience and opportunities for the youngsters in particular.

For Vicki, now firmly established in the role, it was an immensely happy experience. ‘Performances were of the highest level and I was kept on my toes with so many changes of cast on a daily basis. It was also great to work with Eric Potts again. We appeared together in the Alan Ayckbourn play Round and Round the Garden a few years ago. I was also delighted to fulfil a long-time ambition of performing for Kevin Wood’.

As for Vicki’s performance in the Hannigan role there was little to prove. The energy and sparkle of three years ago were still paramount as were the enthusiasm, commitment, interaction and pure unadulterated talent but also in evidence was a depth of warmth for the less well known. Obviously relaxed in a truly professional portrayal, it was moving to note the graciousness shown in order to step back and let them take the limelight. 

Reviews

IC Kent

The truly charismatic professionals seemed relaxed and un-luvvie  enough to give the amateurs the spotlight.

Vicki Michelle still gorgeous 20 years after starring as the voluptuous Yvette in Allo Allo sang, shimmied and shouted as the harridan with somewhere - a - heart but mostly a bottle behind her bra.

When the orphanage girls grudgingly chanted ' we love you Miss Hannigan' after their latest misadventures, you could tell there was an element of truth in the statement for Miss Michelle was obviously encouragingly warm to the youngsters.

The undoubted stars in an evening that twinkled with emerging talent were Vicki Michelle and Herne comedian Dave Lee

Local Press

Vicki Michelle brought all her experience of comic timing to the role of lusty & lonely Miss Hannigan even inspiring a bit of sympathy for her miserable existence and gave a laugh out loud performance.

Gordon Craig Theatre - Stevenage 2007

Packed houses and standing ovations greeted Vicki when she returned to the role of Miss Hannigan in 2007 at the Gordon Craig Theatre in Stevenage. Again heralded as a community project, this production as with that of Canterbury’s in 2005, combined a number of the areas highly talented amateur performers with the expertise of some professional colleagues with Vicki heading the cast in the central role of Miss Hannigan. That said there was nothing amateur about any aspect of this production which wouldn’t have been out of place in London’s West End. From the moment the sixteen piece orchestra struck up the opening bars of the overture under the expert baton of musical director Chris Meen, it was clear no expense had been spared in producing one of the finest summer musicals in the history of the theatre. For Vicki it was a particularly momentous and happy experience not least to be performing one of her favourite characters as Patron of the Friends in what she has come to consider her home venue. In fine voice, Little Girls and Easy Street were delivered with confidence and energy while simultaneously retaining her superb comedy timing displayed throughout the rest of the performance. What also stands out in abundance with this portrayal is her extraordinary ability to cross the footlights and connect with the audience proving herself to be an outstanding stage performer.

Flawless performances by the rest of the adult cast including Nova Skipp as Grace Farrell and Steve Wilks as Daddy Warbucks were matched by the two amazing teams of youngsters playing the orphans with particular credit going to the nine and thirteen year old girls sharing the title role of Annie and whose talents were exceptional. Meticulous attention to detail in regard to props, costume lighting and sound ensured excellent continuity with perfectly executed, precision choreography and impressive direction by Scott St Martin and Jacqueline Mason were also undoubtedly instrumental in contributing to the show’s resounding success.

Reviews

The Comet

Miss Hannigan was superbly played with wild hair and twisted expression by Vicki Michelle.

The Welwyn & Hatfield Times

Guest star Vicki Michelle of Allo Allo fame played wicked Miss Hannigan...........her comedy timing and connection with the audience were remarkable.

The Mercury

Former Allo Allo star Vicki Michelle played the pivotal role of boozy orphan mistress Miss Hannigan. The actress hammed it up in appropriate wide eyed style and performed the unforgettable 'Little Girls' with great gusto.

The cast didn't put a foot wrong.

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