Annie

READING

This is a short extract from the play script of the musical Annie. It is 1930’s New York and this scene is set in an orphanage run by the mean and abusive Miss Hannigan. She is very strict and makes the children work hard all the time to keep the orphanage clean. Read the extract and complete the reading activity below.

(ANNIE sneaks across the stage. As she reaches to open the door, MISS HANNIGAN flings open the door.) MISS HANNIGAN: Aha! Caught you! (ANNIE falls backward.) Get up. Get up! ANNIE (standing up): Yes, Miss Hannigan. MISS HANNIGAN: Rotten orphan. ANNIE: I’m not an orphan. My mother and father left a note saying they loved me and they were coming back for me. MISS HANNIGAN: That was 1922; this is 1933. (Blows her whistle.) Get up! All of you. Now, for this one’s shenanigans, you’ll all get down on your knobby little knees and clean this dump until it shines like the top of the Chrysler Building. (The ORPHANS all get out of bed.) TESSIE: But it’s four o’clock in the morning. MISS HANNIGAN: Get to work!! ANNIE, ORPHANS: Yes, Miss Hannigan. MISS HANNIGAN: Why any kid would want to be an orphan, I’ll never know. 1 Look at the extract for clues about how to design the characters’ costumes. Does the text mention anything at all that could give you ideas for costumes? 2 Sketch and label the costumes for Annie and Miss Hannigan in your activity book (see page 94). ACT IVITY PERFORMING Create and stage a performance of the short extract above in small groups. You will need five actors for the scene: Miss Hannigan, Annie, Tessie and two other orphans (non-speaking parts). Think about how you might portray the character you are playing. Think about your voice, your gestures, your facial expressions and your movement around the stage. Consider how you will use your classroom to create a stage and how you could use the existing furniture and classroom objects for the set and as props and costumes.©The Educational Company of Ireland