If you are looking for something to clear cobwebs or any sorrow away, then a visit to see Annie is just the ticket. If you loved the original film, you will love this show.

What was interestingwas the amount of children in the packed audience who were totally engrossed in the production. Who would have thought a rather dated story of a rags-to-richesset in the depression era of America would be 'cool'.

The scene is set with six bedsin a depressing dorm at the orphanage. Annie, played by Madeleine Hayes, is consoling the youngest of the girls Molly (Rosanna Beacock). Annie is different to the other orphans in that her parents said they will come and get her.

The noise brings in Miss Hannigan, (Lesley Joseph of Birds of a Feather fame), yelling at the girls for being out of bed and telling them that if they don't need sleep they can tidy up the dormitory.

The distraction of the laundry man arriving provides an opportunity for Annie to escape the orphanage, where once on the streets she finds a dog, Sandy. And what a well-behaved and popular dog he is who can often be seen running from one side of the stage to the other during the show much to the delight of the audience.

Annie is dragged back to the orphanage just in time to be picked by private secretary Grace (Holly Dale Spencer) to spend two weeks at the home of her billionaire employer Daddy Warbucks (Alex Bourne).

Meanwhile, back at the orphanage Miss Hannigan is lamenting the fact that Annie is leading the life of Riley while she is being plagued by Little Girls and hits the gin bottle heavily.

The Warbucks staff immediately fall in love with the little orphan girl and Grace persuades Daddy Warbucks to take them all to the cinema. Of course, going to the movies in the 1930s was nothing like today. It was more like going to a star-studded London review, with singing and dancing on stage before the film and in the interval.

This is brilliantly portrayed in the production with a very clever set of mobile chairs for Grace, Mr Warbucks and Annie which are wheeled around giving the impression they are watching the show from different angles whilst not stopping us in the audience from enjoying the performance.

Once back home, Warbucks tells Annie that he has a gift for her - a new locket as hers is broken. Annie breaks down in tears and tells him that the locket was given to her by her parents when they promised they would come back for her.

Warbucks vows to find her parents and even gets the FBI involved. They visit the local radio station and Warbucks offers $50,000 for her parents to come forward. Another of the famous 'film' songs here, You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile, which cleverly flips back to the orphanage with the girls taking over the singing and parts of the Boylan Sisters and Bert Healy (radio presenter/singer)

In an effort to keep Annie away from the chaos, Warbucks takes her to visit President Roosevelt, who immediately takes to the young Annie. Annie offers advice in the form of the song Tomorrow and the president encourages his reluctant aides and Warbucks to join in.

Meanwhile, in steps Miss Hannigan's brother Rooster (Jonny Fines) and his floozie Lily (Djalenga Scott). They hatch a plan to pretend to be Annie's parents, Mr and Mrs Mudge,

Another of the famous songs Easy Street has the three of them prancing around the stage celebrating the good life beckoning them when they steal the $50,000. Miss Hannigan certainly kept up the pace with the two younger actors but I felt she should have maintained the "drunken" image a bit more which made this such a good scene in the film.

Back at the mansion, Warbucks decides to throw a big Christmas party for Annie and the orphans. In come the Mudges telling a woeful tale of having to leaving Annie at the orphanage and they have a copy of her birth certificate to verify their claim. A sad Warbucks agrees they can take Annie but not until the next day after the party.

Meanwhile, the FBI finds out that Annie's parents died many years ago. Warbucks enlists the help of President Roosevelt to tell Annie that her parents are gone and that Warbucks wants to adopt her. They tell her that the Mudges are phoney.

The sun comes out for young Annie.

There are punchy orphanage scenes and delightful performances from the 'little girls' with songs such as Hard Knock Life, and not a step out of place among them.

As for 'Daddy' Warbucks, well he could adopt me any time! A polished performance and he can sing well too, even better than the original.

It is not very often you can say that everyone knew their place and was in it but I cannot recall a single instance of someone being 'off their spot'. For me this is the difference between a good show and an excellent show - and this one is excellent.

The show is different enough from the original 1970s film to provide something new but there is enough of the original, especially the songs, to keep die hards like myself happy. I have certainly not approved of the two film remakes so to enjoy this show so much proves it is well worth booking up for.

The spontaneous standing ovation at the end proves my point and the cast virtually skipped off the stage in pleasure.

Read our interview with star Lesley Joseph here

DETAILS

Annie will be at the Orchard Theatre, Dartford until Saturday January 30. Tickets from £24 visit orchardtheatre.co.uk or call 01322 220000.

The show is also at the Assembly Hall Theatre, Tunbridge Wells from Tuesday, March 1 to Saturday, March 5. Tickets from £28.50 visit www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk or call 01892 530613.