As an NSTA representative, I had the absolute pleasure of watching the New Cairo British International School production of Annie, performed on Monday 1st and Tuesday 2nd December 2025. Under the direction of Rebekah Thompson, with support from associate director Kerstin Springbett and assistant directors John Pugh, Daisy Mumba, and pupil Amna, this lively and engaging performance was a heartwarming showcase of young talent.
Annie follows a spirited young orphan who refuses to give up hope of finding her parents despite the harshness of life in a 1930s New York orphanage. Since its Broadway debut in 1977 – a production that won seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical – Annie has continued to capture hearts across generations. The enduring appeal of songs like “Tomorrow” and “It’s A Hard Knock Life” makes it a perfect choice for a school production.
This interpretation was presented on the school’s proscenium stage, making clever use of a digital backdrop. High-definition video projections were utilised to establish each setting, from the towering New York windows of the orphanage to a sweeping view of the Brooklyn Bridge for Annie’s discovery of Sandy. The grand staircase of the Warbucks mansion and the stately interior of the White House were similarly evocative. This provided the show with a professional production polish and fully immersed the audience in the narrative.
Complementing the digital design, each scene included carefully curated stage furniture to add physical dimension to the space. The orphanage was filled with full-sized bunk beds on scenic trucks that glided effortlessly across the stage during “It’s A Hard Knock Life”, while the Warbucks mansion was defined by elegant set pieces that conveyed a sense of vast, upper-class luxury. Amr, Fady, Baola, and Mohamed deserve special mention for the slick technical support and lighting execution that anchored these transitions.
Costumes by Rebekah Thompson were in keeping with the Depression-era aesthetic, featuring authentic 1930s French maid outfits for the staff and drab work smocks for the orphans. Miss Hannigan’s flowing, ruffled lilac dress and long beaded necklaces were stunningly appropriate, suggesting a faded glamour and a level of wealth that hinted at her various wrongdoings.
From the orphans and Hooverville residents to the bustling streets of New York, the ensemble worked seamlessly together to create vibrant, dynamic scenes. The orphan chorus’s rendition of “It’s a Hard Knock Life” was endearing and full of enthusiasm. “I Think I’m Going to Like It Here” featured a complex on-stage costume change for Annie, facilitated by sweet choreography and excellent collaboration between Ruby’s Annie, Matilde as Grace Farrell, and the ensemble. The orphans’ chatter around the radio at the start of Act Two was another highlight, flowing into “Fully Dressed (Children)”, where the young actresses depicted the strong character and camaraderie of the group. Their dynamic choreography – which even saw the cast descending into the stalls – was performed with evident glee.
The title role of Annie was played by Ruby full of scrappy energy. This performance was irrepressibly endearing throughout, navigating the character’s journey with a spirited optimism.
Miss Hannigan, played by Samia, was suitably grumpy and snooty towards the “poor little orphans.” Her solo, “Little Girls” was a vocal highlight of the evening, and Samia maintained her comedic “sass” and character physicality throughout the performance with impressive clarity.
Farid, as Mr Warbucks, successfully charted his softening feelings as Annie charms the business mogul. “You Won’t Be An Orphan For Long” was sung with great conviction, and his waltzing with Annie in “Something Was Missing” provided a genuinely moving moment of connection. Grace Farrell, played by Matilde, was a calm, measured presence, providing a sophisticated foil to the more eccentric characters.
Youssef’s Rooster was wonderfully slick and confident – the perfectly smarmy villain alongside Samia’s Miss Hannigan. Their duet, “Easy Street”, brimmed with characterful energy and rhythmic precision. Knowing this was Youssef’s debut performance in a musical made the turn all the more impressive. Lucia’s performance as Lily, playing opposite Youssef, was equally strong, leaning into the comedic tropes of the role with flair.
Further impressive supporting performances included Kyle as Franklin D. Roosevelt, whose assured delivery suggested a maturity beyond his years. Lilia’s Bert Healy also supported the narrative with aplomb; her rendition of “Fully Dressed” was packed with enthusiasm, and her tap dancing was a definitive crowd-pleaser that went down a storm. A final technical highlight was the Sandy puppet, Annie’s faithful companion, which was manipulated with skill by Layla.
By the time the final curtain fell, it was unmistakable how much the experience had meant to the performers, staff, and families alike. Annie at the New Cairo British International School was clearly a significant community effort and a shining example of the creativity that flourishes in a nurturing educational environment. The production was a feel-good success that balanced technical ambition with genuine heart.