Out and About: Annie at the Tivoli Theatre

Giz Giz Youth Theatre are staging Annie at the Tivoli this July. The company has previously put on shows at Aberdeen Arts Centre, with more recent productions including Legally Blonde, School of Rock, and Grease at the Tivoli.

14-year-old Zoe Blair is in the title role and the cast will perform songs including Tomorrow, Hard Knock Life, and Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile. Zoe has been performing since she started dancing at Sharon Gill’s School of Dance at the age of four. “To be playing the most iconic children’s role in musical theatre is such a great experience and really helped my confidence grow,” she says. “Working so closely with my friends has made it super fun.”

Four decades and counting

Giz Giz was founded in 1983 by Annie Ingles MBE, who remained closely involved until her death in April 2010. Graduates have trained at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Performers College London, and Guildford School of Acting. Several have gone on to professional careers, among them Joyce Falconer (River City), opera singer Lisa Milne, Marc McFadyen (Starlight Express), Brian Elrick (nominated for best actor at the Off West End Awards for Godspell), and Amy Lennox (Legally Blonde and 9 to 5 UK tours).

The show’s director calls the production “such a privilege,” describing the cast as “the future of the theatre scene in Aberdeen.” Shows like this are where that future gets built, and local audiences are a big part of what makes it possible.