IT was the American comedian W C Fields who said ‘never work with children or animals’. Thank goodness Wellington Operatic Society did not adhere to this advice but went ahead with a fantastic production of Annie.

The show was of a very high standard with much care put into the organisation of casting the parts. Two teams were organised to cover the roles of Annie and the other orphans, and alternated through the performances.

I went on Friday evening when Emily Sellick played the part of Annie. Emily certainly gave a wonderful performance demonstrating her clear singing voice and mature stage confidence in handling Sandy the stray dog – particularly when Sandy decided he would rather be in the wings than on stage.

The director of the show and choreographer was Alice Luke, who stepped in to replace Nancy Powell-Brace – Nancy’s father sadly died in March. The dance routines were splendid and in particular I loved the French maids who had an almost ethereal presence when scene shifting.

Musical director Andrew Curtis enabled all the songs to be beautifully delivered and along with Colin Marshall as production co-ordinator ensured that all elements of this production were first class.

The energy from the cast never slackened – right up to the end with the rousing chorus finale of ‘The Sun’ll Come Out Tomorrow’, which had me convinced it would.

Sadly, I was not able to see Daisy Holloway in her part of Annie but I know from people who did, that Daisy pulled it off. Well done Daisy!

Wellington Arts Association was pleased to welcome many new members with this production and it is to be hoped we will see more of them in future productions – ‘Back2Back’ which will celebrate the songs of Burt Bacharach in November 2019 and ‘The Sound of Music’ in May 2020.

Walk on by at your own risk…

SUE ADAMS