As an NSTA representative, I had the pleasure of watching the recent TASIS England production of Annie Jr. on Thursday 12th March 2026. Under the confident direction of Georgia Brymer, the show became a lively, colourful, and wonderfully entertaining performance. In her director’s notes, Georgia Brymer explained that she aimed for “warmth, grit and humour”, noting that although Annie Jr. does not shy away from hardship, it approaches it with heart, honesty and joy. Her vision of balancing humour with emotional sincerity was evident throughout, creating a warm and engaging atmosphere.
Annie Jr. brings to life the story of Annie, an optimistic orphan who dreams of a brighter future beyond the walls of Miss Hannigan’s 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.
Annie Jr. demands energy and strong character work, and the cast delivered these with enthusiasm. Annie, played by Kate, gave a confident performance full of warmth and captured both her hopeful spirit and determined resilience. Daddy Warbucks, played by Laurent, brought authority and gentle charm, while Grace, played by Violette, offered elegance and sincerity. Together, the three created a believable emotional core that supported the story’s message of hope and belonging.
The trio of Olivia, Lila, and Lucia formed a formidable comedic engine as Hannigan, Lily, and Rooster, bringing humour, flair and irresistible chaos to the stage, truly embracing their role as the show’s villains. Their chemistry enhanced the performance and their dynamic interactions demonstrated an impressive understanding of comic timing and ensemble balance.
Olivia played the role of Miss Hannigan with brilliant comic timing and was a constant delight. Her exasperated irritation, dramatic facial expressions, and wonderfully exaggerated disdain for the orphans were consistently entertaining. Her performance of “Little Girls” was a highlight, full of personality and a perfect balance of comedy and menace. She commanded the stage with confidence, creating a memorable and thoroughly engaging villain.
Lila gave an exaggerated and playful performance as Lily St. Regis. With her bubbly energy, charm, and perfectly delivered ditzy humour, she provided the ideal contrast to Hannigan’s sharp cynicism. Her scenes with Rooster, played by Lucia with a suave, charismatic sleaze, were especially strong, and together the pair captured the comedic scheming of the trio with precision and harmony. Lila’s lively physicality added an extra layer of fun to the production.
Ensemble moments were a joy to watch. With a large ensemble frequently filling the stage, it takes considerable skill to maintain focus and discipline, but singing, acting, and movement were synchronised with impressive consistency, and every performer contributed to the overall atmosphere of joy and mischief. “NYC” was a standout number, filled with vibrant movement, excitement and beautifully coordinated choreography, and it provided the show with real impetus. Achieving such unity reflects the hard work, rehearsal, and trust shared between cast and creative team.
The orphans were lively, adding humour and warmth to the performance. Their musical numbers were confidently delivered, and they contributed significantly to the overall charm of the musical. Their collective energy and teamwork strongly embodied the director’s vision of joy and resilience.
The musical numbers throughout were beautifully executed. Each piece was well choreographed and performed with enthusiasm, with notable highlights including “A Hard Knock Life”, played with real vigour by the orphans, a touching performance of “Tomorrow” by Kate, and a lively and charismatic rendition of “Easy Street” by Olivia, Lila and Lucia.
The production design was equally striking. The costumes, from Annie’s iconic red dress and the orphans’ scruffy outfits, to the glamorous sheen of the New York high life, were all thoughtfully created and supported character and story beautifully. The strength of the orchestra must also be commended; their contribution added depth and emotion to the production and enhanced the overall theatrical experience.
Above all, what stood out was the cast’s clear enjoyment. Their confidence, teamwork, expressive storytelling, and commitment to character made this an uplifting and memorable production. The comedic scenes landed well, and the heartfelt moments, especially Annie’s interactions with Warbucks, were touching and sincere. Director Georgia Brymer hoped audiences would leave “uplifted, inspired, and reminded of the power of optimism, even when the world feels heavy”. This intention was clearly reflected in the performances and overall tone of the evening. This was a polished, spirited and thoroughly enjoyable performance. A huge well done to all involved.