Barrow Amateurs completely sold out the whole week’s run of Annie at Forum 28 in 1999.
The show opened with society newcomer Sally Kemp as the red-headed orphan whose optimism inspires a United States president.
The St Bernard’s School pupil was chosen for the role after nearly 400 girls turned up for the audition.
GATHERED: The cast of Barrow Amateurs’ production of Annie, staged at Forum 28 in 1999
Children’s casting committee member Bill Calvert said during the auditions that the task was proving to be extremely difficult when there were so many talented girls to choose from.
Grainne McKenna, Rachael Jackson, Amy Larcombe, Chelsea Fitzgerald, Michelle Smith, Paige Cook and Brogan Anderson won parts as Annie’s fellow orphans.
The show starred Steve Carrick as millionaire Oliver Warbucks, who wants to open his home to an orphan for Christmas and Julie Lloyd as the unkind overseer of the orphanage.
POSE: Julie Lloyd as orphanage overseer Miss Hannighan in Annie in 1999
Meanwhile, Barrow Amateurs earned more than £1,000 for St Mary’s Hospice at their gala performance of Cabaret.
The Mail’s reviewer said it was a spectacular evening’s entertainment, fully deserving the evening dresses and champagne put on for the occasion.
Each of the principals drew a rounded, believable character in a show that never flagged.
POSE: Tony Flanagan as the MC with the Kit Kat girls in Barrow Amateurs’ production of Cabaret in 1991
Tony Flanagan was described as ‘a real find for the society’. He was ‘superb’ as the MC, with the stage always alive with sinister humour when he was on.
Sheila Thorne and Tony Smith played a touching elderly couple, Fraulein Schneider with lovely plaits and delightfully romantic Herr Schultz.
Julie Lloyd played Sally Bowles, giving it everything in the hit number Cabaret. She was well partnered by Steve Carrick as Cliff Bradshaw, a likeable innocent abroad.
SMILES: A scene from Barrow Amateurs’ production of Cabaret in 1991
The reviewer said the show was beautifully costumed and staged with a well-designed set.
Director Colin Hopper, musical director Doreen Dunlop, producer Ian Bird and choreographer Helen Corkhill were the skilful team who had put the show together.
In 1992, Barrow Amateurs performed Season’s Greetings at Barrow Sixth Form College.
LAUGHING: Kath Smith (Phyllis) and Ray Turner (Bernard) in Barrow Amateurs’ production of Season’s Greetings in 1992
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