SWAN Hill Theatre Group is returning to the stage this Friday night with an all time classic – the musical Annie.
Producer James Hinton, who also plays Bert, said he was excited to perform the iconic “tried and true” musical in front of local theatregoers.
“It’s a musical that so many people already love, and now they have a chance to come see it locally,” he said.
Annie follows the titular character, played by Ella Atkin, who is an orphan on a journey to find her parents in 1930s New York.
At the orphanage, Annie has to deal with spiteful Ms Hannigan, played by Karissa Box, but her life suddenly changes as she’s chosen to spend the holidays with billionaire Oliver Warbucks, played by Tim Lenton.
First-time Swan Hill Theatre Group director John Murray said he was looking forward to opening night.
“That’s when I can sit down, because my job as the director is done,” he said.
“After opening night, all that’s left is for the actors to carry out the show.”
Mr Murray, who has been involved in the group for 20 years, said directing had involved him in all aspects of the production from set design, lighting and the overseeing actors’ performances.
He added that cast and crew were not just from Swan Hill, but came from surrounding towns like Tooleybuc and Barham.
“There’s almost 30 performers in this production, but with other people working backstage, we would have almost 50 people involved,” he said.
“With Annie, not only are we working with a lot of people, but people from all different ages. We have a lot of kids in the cast and our youngest cast member is nine years old.
“The younger cast members are getting to learn what theatre is like from the older cast, who have been here for several years.”
“I just hope that the audience gets to see that and appreciate their hard work and what they’ve done on stage.”
Annie is opening at 7.30pm at the Memorial Theatre at 47 McCrae Street, Swan Hill.
Eleven more shows will run until September 21.
Tickets can be booked at trybooking.com/events/landing/1254210
