Annie (2025)

Annie
[[File: |300px]] Annie Dream promotional image
Dates	27 June 0 5 July 2025
Venue	The Tower Theatre
Director	Steve Hawkins
Producer	Alice Hawkins
Musical Director	Samuel Robinson
Choreographer	Sophie Burgess-Adams

The Folkestone-Hythe Operatic and Dramatic Society presented Annie on 27th June - 5th July 2025 at The Tower Theatre, Folkestone. An amateur production by arrangement with Musical Theatre International.

Foreword

The stage musical Annie is a timeless classic. At its core is the endearing orphan Annie, whose charm shines through despite her challenging circumstances. Annie embodies an enduring message of hope and resilience, reflecting the socio-economic landscape of America in 1933, during the Great Depression and the Roosevelt administration's New Deal initiatives.

The production ahs presented an exhilarating challenge for the cast, and I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the production team for their hard work in creating this joyful production. Collaborating with such talented young performers has been a remarkable experience.

I would also like to express my appreciation to the Creative Team, including the exceptionally skilled Choreographer Sophie Burgess-Adams and Maestro Sam Robinson. Thanks must go to our wonderful costume team who have worked tirelessly to create all the fabulous costumes for this show, Emma Franks, Liz Rutland and Wendy Allum. Special thanks go to our set builders, lighting and sound designers/operators, Myra for her prop management, and the outstanding Michael Pearce as Stage Manager. A special acknowledgement is due to my wonderful producer, Alice Hawkins, without whom I would undoubtably be adrift. Gratitude is also extended to our Child Protection Officer, Karen, and all the chaperones who selflessly dedicate their time to ensure the safety of our younger cast members. This production would not be feasible without their invaluable contributions.

The saying goes, "Never work with children or animals," yet we have thoroughly enjoyed doing both! I must highlight our young cast, the 'Annies' and orphans, who were chosen from over 38 children duringopen auditions. Their high energy, patience, and enthusiasm, combined with their individual and collective talents, have led to incredible rehearsals, and it has been a joy to work alongside them.

Additionally, we are grateful to our friends Mike and Hannah Manton for allowing their dog Teddy to portray Sandy, one of the most iconic canine roles in musical theatre. We hope he enjoys the experience as much as we do!

I recently learned that the song "Tomorrow" is performed every 20 minutes somewhere in the world. I hope you leave the theatre this evening with that melody in your heart and that you thoroughly enjoy our production!

Steve Hawkins, Director

Cast

• Miles Record as Annie (Team A)
• Violet Hawkins as Annie (Team B)
• Natalie Jones as Miss Hannigan
• Richard Hawkins as Oliver Warbucks
• Rosie Devlin as Grace Farrell
• Luke Jones as Bundles McCloskey/Bert Healy/Roosevelt
• Jack Willcox as Drake/Fred McCracken/Wacky
• Chris Willcox as Rooster
• Katy Hydon as Lily St Regis
• Teddy Manton as Sandy

Adult Ensemble

• Caroline Dowling as Assistant Dog Catcher/Hooverville Resident/Servant/NYC Show Cast
• Emma Franks as Hooverville Resident/Mrs Pugh/NYC Show Cast
• George Perkins as Hooverville Resident/Servant/NYC Taxi Driver/Ickes
• Jack Willcox as Hooverville Resident/NYC Showman
• Jess Hill as Hooverville Resident/Mrs Greer/NYC Show Cast/Ronnie Boylan/Howe
• Katy Hydon as Hooverville Resident
• Katy-Scarlett Coveney as Hooverville Resident/Annette/Star to be/Bonnie Boylan
• Luke Jones as Hooverville Resident/Servant/NYC Resident
• Olivia Coley as Dog Catcher/Sophie/Cecille/NYC Show Cast/Sound Effects Man/Morganthau
• Paul Moran as Lt. Ward/Judge Brandeis
• Tracey Silvester as Apple seller/Servant/Usherette/Connie Boylan/Perkins

Named Orphans

Team A

• Annabel Prineas as Pepper
• Darcey Parry as Duffy
• Eden Prescott as Kate
• Isla Rolfe as July
• Cora Prineas as Tessie
• Orla O'Callaghan as Molly

Team B

• Flo Hills=Lawes as Pepper
• Hattie Sparks as Duffy
• Bethany Giles as Kate
• Hattie Austin as July
• Grace Hills as Tessie
• Annabelle Gibson as Molly

Ensemble Orphans

Team A

• Laurel Scott
• Amelia Huntley
• Ellie Grist
• Alyssa Mynard
• Mika Metten
• Leo Willcox

Team B

• Tehilah Jepson
• Annie Gage
• Bethany Carroll
• Izzy Whitcombe
• Harper Smith

Production Team

• Director: Steve Hawkins
• Producer: Alice Hawkins
• Musical Director: Samuel Robinson
• Choreographer: Sophie Burgess-Adams
• Stage Manager: Michael Pearce
• Deputy Stage Managers: Leigh Chambers and Lily Rushin
• Lighting: Rebeca Pyburn
• Sound: Jake Wallis
• Set Design: Chris Willcox
• Set Construction: Chris Willcox and Myra Collingridge
• Props: Myra Collingridge
• Comstume: Emma Franks, Wendy Allum and Liz Rutland
• Backstage: Myra Collingridge, Eleanor Prineas and Andrea Reid
• Design/Media: Malcolm Laye and Gary Ingoldby-Spate
• FHODS Marketing: Merewyn Forrest
• Photography: Chris Henry and David Shackle
• Child Protection Officer: Karen Prineas

For The Tower Theatre

• Events and Marketing Manager: Michelle Hartley
• Front of House Manager: Gary Ingoldby-Spate
• Theatre Technician: Emil Jansen

FHODS extends its thanks to the Front of House volunteers and Bar Team. Anyone interested in joining the team can contact Joanne Pearce at foh@towertheatrefolkestone.co.uk.