I'D like it known that, yes, I did know the story of Little Orphan Annie before I arrived at the theatre and, yes, I was fully aware that it would be a very emotional evening - but, in mitigation, I wasn't the only one with tears in my eyes by the end of the night.

The lead role is shared by two young actresses - Stacey Hunt, from Bridlington, and Emma Hopkins, from Derbyshire, who was our Annie for the night.

Emma was a breath of fresh air - very professional with a pure voice. The cast was headed by Su Pollard, playing the role of the drunken Miss Hannigan with such plausibility that I forgot the previous image that she has playing dizzy characters in sit coms.

She managed to provoke many emotions playing the screwed-up owner of the orphanage. In fact, on more than one occasion, I wanted to boo and hiss when she came on stage. She didn't have a bad singing voice either.

The orphans were played by children from the excellent Kirkham Henry Performing Arts Centre, all local girls with perfect stage presence, looking and sounding natural and at ease with the packed theatre.

They were joined on stage by Sandy (played by Danny), a wonderfully shaggy dog who showed his pretension by insisting that he sit with his back to us at all times. The story was obviously predictable, but there was a little of everything, from humour to some very fine dancing and singing from the rest of the wonderful cast, who performed some incredibly fast costume changes.

A mention must also be made of James Smillie (Daddy Warbucks) and Christopher Marlowe (FDR), who provided lots of humour in their own right.

One last question. When on earth will I stop singing The Sun'll Come Out Tomorrow?

Updated: 10:50 Wednesday, November 24, 2004