WHEN YOU watch most productions of Annie it’s easy to forget that it’s actually a great musical.

It’s always enjoyable, how can it not be with the sparky kids, the message of hope, and the terrifically tuneful songs like Maybe, Easy Street, Tomorrow and Hard Knock Life?

But often the rougher edges of a tale set during the Great Depression, the poverty and the politics, are softened by a thick dollop of sugary cuteness.

There’s sweetness by the truckload in the touring production visiting the Alhambra this week, as there should be.

But director Nikolai Foster brings all the other qualities to the forefront too, making believable the relationships and the emotions that drive the story.

We really root for Annie as she yearns to find the parents who abandoned her in the orphanage, and feel for the tycoon who longs to take their place.

Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood is terrific as evil orphanage boss Miss Hannigan, a real hoot but always believable as a woman and never playing the big star.

He fits snugly into a show packed with fantastic performances where even the lesser songs are hugely entertaining.

* Bradford Alhambra until Saturday. Visit bradford-theatres.co.uk or call 01274 432000 to book tickets.

David Knights