“NEVER work with children and animals” is a maxim firmly rejected by the lively Parish Players as they wisely recognise that including young people in events is lifeblood to the community and its societies.

The animal in their latest production, “Annie” may have been a human being in canine costume, but Aoife McBride as Snowy the Dog, certainly created the cute factor. She was sister to the just eleven year old leading lady, Niamh McBride who dealt superbly with the lengthy and demanding role

The script and music of “Annie” is refreshingly pacy, witty and inventive for a modern musical. However, the vocal range demanded (particularly for Annie) is challenging. Right from the very first number, Niamh took it all in her confident stride, which also included tap-dancing! She certainly won the audience’s hearts with her sincere performance of straight-forward innocence and optimism.

All the other orphans supported her beautifully. Each one was totally disciplined and committed to their part and the team. Their spirited singing raised the rafters, and Molly (played by Isobel Lambrie) showed huge potential and polish. No wonder their dragon of a matron of the orphanage, Miss Hannigan (played by Sian McBride) was jealous! However, Sian played her role as a drunken vulture with real panache, clarity and super singing.

Three McBrides in the cast so far! Granny Cath Chappel played the cook and was a member of the flexible, gracious adult cast who played an enormous number of roles with real verve and variety. Grandad Mike Chappel stage-managed the production with great efficiency so that the team breezed through the considerable number of scene changes despite the “bijou” backstage arrangements.

The scenery itself was very well conceived by Keith Richards, being practical and dressed with good period props. .It was greatly enhanced by projected images of New York, which included a moving motor car! Lighting by Richard Churchill played its part, in particular adding snowy winter weather to the set.

There is much uplifting humour in “Annie” which was always skilfully exploited, nowhere better than in the Radio City and White House Cabinet scenes in which versatile David Proud, Richard Newley and Brian Brown twinkled in everything from ventriloquism to President Roosevelt himself.

The villains, played by Ray Hale and Amy Sunderland, shone with slick sliminess in the acting and well-chosen costumes. The “goodies” also shone. Phil Savage captured the huge hearted American billionaire, Warbucks, while Lesley Clarke created a most warm and winning Grace Farrell, the secretary. Butlers are perhaps not renowned for excellent singing, but Mike Belsten, as Drake, broke the mould.

All the accompaniments were crisply played with the right pace and sensitivity under the leadership of Chloe Allsopp-Jones. This skill completed the ingredients for an uplifting evening’s entertainment – but then it is always so at Tockington under that experienced and expert hand of director Linda Evans. Lucky us and lucky Parish Players!

Barbie Davies