John Cabot Academy stages hit Broadway musical

One of the most loved Broadway musicals was brought to life for an 800-strong audience, over five shows, in the main auditorium at John Cabot Academy.

Annie a worldwide phenomenon and the winner of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, was performed by a talented cast and crew of more than 70 students from Years 7-13.

The show tells the extraordinary story of a little orphan who spends time in luxury with billionaire Oliver Warbucks. Unlike most of the other children at Miss Hannigan’s orphanage, Annie believes her parents are still alive and will one day return to claim her. So, when Mr Warbucks offers to adopt her, she asks the most powerful man in America to help find her real parents, and he agrees. However, the whopping reward which Warbucks offers for Annie’s parents attracts the attention of con artists Rooster, Lily and the wicked Miss Hannigan, who hatch a plot to kidnap Annie and take the $50,000 for themselves.

Year 10 pupil Tenisha Chinyanganya and Year 9’s Iris Hutton shared the starring role of Annie, while Mr Warbucks was played by Year 11 students Thomas Joel and Lucas Carp. The role of Miss Hannigan was filled by Year 11 Jacob Kendell and Daniel Durham in Year 10. The performances also featured music from a live student band.

The cast completed five shows in total, including two matinee performances for pupils from local primary schools, Beacon Rise Primary, Two Mile Hill Primary and The Park Primary school. The production proved a big hit with audiences, with some of the evening shows sold out!

Charlotte Grierson, John Cabot Academy’s Curriculum Leader for Performing Arts, said:

“The students involved have worked incredibly hard since auditions in September, through to full rehearsals starting in October, and have now completed a week of five performances to over 800 people. It has been brilliant to see so many students get involved from backstage, set design, cast to the live band. It has been a brilliant journey from start to finish and has been wonderful to see the students enjoying the outcome of their hard work and commitment.

“I am so proud of all students involved and will be sad to see many of our Year 11s and 13s depart John Cabot Academy after many years of being involved in productions. The Performing Arts team are immensely proud of everyone involved and what they have achieved.”