As a reviewer of many years, I have to confess ‘Annie Get Your Gun’ feels like one of those underrated big shows I’d never heard of, but thank goodness I had the opportunity to watch it at the Greensward Tent, because it is a stellar production with West End credentials.
If like me, you don’t feel familiar with the show name, it’s likely you’ll know some of the songs from the score: ‘There’s no business like showbusiness’ or ‘Anything you can do, I can do better’. And I’m sure by now you’ll be humming the tune!
The plot is briefly as follows: Buffalo Bill (Nigel Barber) runs Wild West Shows where Frank Butler (Stephen John Davis) is his star shooter. They come upon Annie Oakley (Alex Constantinidi) a ragtag thing of a young woman, who can shoot even better than Frank. Cue a standoff, beautiful love story, a devastating separation and then a wonderful happy ending.
It is feel good theatre at its very best.
I am not a love story kinda person, I’m not even a rom com fan, but ‘Annie get your gun’ is just the most gorgeous story of falling and being in love.
The casting of Alex Constantinidi as Annie and Stephen John Davis as Frank is the most fantastic pairing. I have never seen a woman play such a strong assertive female role, while also being the most googly-eyed love-sick slip of a girl. Their developing relationship is a thing of beauty to watch and the audience felt it too.
But don’t think this is a slow lovey type of show, because it’s not. It’s packed with action and big songs, and from the moment Frank opens his mouth to sing, you know you are in the presence of a big vocal star. It’s no surprise to see his credits in The Phantom of the Opera and Les Miserables because he is truly enrapturing and your earbuds will tingle with delight.
Talking of the West End, this show really feels like a pop-up version delightfully situated in a tent in Frinton. The dance acts are big, the choreography is dazzling, the costumes are spot on, the music – the live band for heaven’s sake – it’s absolutely tip top!
The song ‘An Old Fashioned Wedding’, known as a “double-song” (where two different melodies and lyrics are counterpointed against one another) was the first time I’ve ever heard such a thing and the cleverness and talent was really something to behold. But I have to admit, my favourite was ‘Anything you can do, I can do better’. It really was THE song of the night and their duet deserves to be a success in its own right.
‘Annie get your gun’ is without a doubt one of the best musicals I’ve seen in a long, long time.
My only sadness with this show, was when it came to an end (a happy end, I may add), I still wanted more. I don’t remember the last time I was left feeling: but I want more! I want another song! I want another dance! That’s just how fantastic this show is – you just want more!
The only other little thing that I can add in terms of ‘more’, was to learn Annie and Frank really did exist and they really did get that beautiful love story in real life. That made me smile even more!
Reviewer: Samantha Collett
Reviewed: 20th August 2024
North West End UK Rating:
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