York Light Opera Society in Annie; Theatre Royal, York

Box office: 01904 623568

The queen of the 20th century's cartoon characters, Little Orphan Annie, springs vividly to life in Bev Jones's new production of Annie for York Light Opera Society, which opened for a fortnight's run last night.

Charles Strouse's name may not be the first to come to mind as a composer of Broadway musicals, but he certainly knew how to evoke an era.

New York City in the depression years of the 1930s turns out to be surprisingly fruitful ground, with its contrasts of extreme poverty and extreme wealth.

Two remarkable teams of 17 children each - it was the 'Red' squad yesterday - have been produced from more than 200 who auditioned. They are the show's real stars. Last night's Annie was Lauren Hood; her alternate is Gemma Kirk, who comes from the same Malton performing-arts school.

They move as to the manner born, totally at home in the spotlight, choreographed by Jones himself, who also conducts. Their big number, It's A Hard Knock Life, is supremely confident and they are absolute knockouts in their party frocks at the finale. Their style of singing - somewhere between a shout and a screech - may not be everyone's cup of tea; given the excellent amplification on hand, it is actually superfluous. In fact, when the notes get high enough, they briefly produce real head tone, which proves that they can sing properly if asked.

Miss Hood, who cannot be much older than Annie's 11 years, reflects the passing moods wonderfully and tugs at the heartstrings with Tomorrow and delivers a smile that positively sparkles - You're Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile might be the show's motto theme. It first occurs in the funniest scene of the lot, in the NBC studios, when Bert Healy (played by Patrick Couzens) and the Boylan Sisters (Alexa Chaplin, Clare Meadley and Jane Tobin) do an exquisite spoof of an Oxydent commercial. The charm of this production is that it offers so many small parts, excellently taken, to members of the company.

Julie-Anne Smith is a wonderfully loopy, bibulous Miss Hannigan, the chaotic head of the orphanage, John Raw makes a nicely paternal Daddy Warbucks, the tough magnate with a soft centre, beautifully assisted by Tasha Moss as Grace, whose excellent voice deserves a bigger role.

Rory Mulvihill, as Rooster, and Carol Richardson, as his floozie, Lily, add comic impetus. Not forgetting Annie's amazing white terrier, Sandy.

The band is thoroughly smooth, if a little short of sleaze in the jazzy Easy Street. The show is heavily booked, deservedly.

You have no time to waste.