MIRIAM LITWIN<\/p>\n
THE curtain is ready to open on Lyric Theatre\u2019s production of Annie, premiering at Civic Hall next Thursday.<\/p>\n
The musical is about Annie who escapes an orphanage and begins to explore New York City, meeting some famous faces along the way including President Franklin D Roosevelt.<\/p>\n
For director Nicole Burness, the production is her first time at the helm of a major stage show.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is my first chance and opportunity, which I am very grateful for, to direct a senior show in Ballarat and Annie was a favourite of mine when I was younger,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love the fact that there\u2019s a mix of young talent as well as some more experienced performers.\u201d<\/p>\n
Burness aims to transport the audience into the mind of a child.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wanted to have the show seen through Annie\u2019s eyes, which are a child\u2019s eyes,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not necessarily naturalistic, it\u2019s a natural play, but as far as the colours and the behaviour of some of the kids, it\u2019s about experiencing it through a child\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cEach scene is hopefully a contrast to how a kid\u2019s imagination may see it to be.\u201d<\/p>\n
The highlights of the show include the cast\u2019s vocals, the band, the set and Sandy the dog.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am so honoured and quite humbled by the people who said yes to the roles, they are absolutely brilliant,\u201d said Burness.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd Sandy is an amazing dog, we\u2019re very lucky to have discovered the talent.<\/p>\n
\u201cWorking with children and animals is not a bad thing.\u201d<\/p>\n