Further casting announced for Annie in West End

Book now for Annie at Piccadilly Theatre

Alex Bourne will be Daddy Warbucks with Holly Dale Spencer as Grace Farrell alongside Miranda Hart as part of further casting announced for the new West End production of Annie. The pair, who have both appeared in the UK tour of the musical, will be joined in the show at Piccadilly Theatre by Jonny Fines as Rooster and Djalenga Scott as Lily. Today’s casting news follows the previously announced Hart as iconic villain Miss Hannigan. The title role of Annie will be shared by Madeleine Haynes, aged 13 from Hadley Wood, Barnet in north London, Lola Moxom, aged 12 from Rochester in Kent, and Ruby Stokes, aged 12 from Hampshire. They will be joined by three teams of young performers who will play the girls in Miss Hannigan’s orphanage (see below). Completing the company will be ensemble members Keisha Atwell, Sophie Ayers, Bobby Delaney, Nic Gibney, Patrick Harper, Ben Harrold, George Ioannides, Megan Louch, Benjamin Mundy, Ben Oliver, Heather Scott-Martin, Anne Smith, Kate Somerset How, Katie Warsop and Russell Wilcox.  Amber, a four-year-old Labradoodle, will play Annie’s dog, Sandy. Rehearsals … Read more

CRITICS CHOICE: Emily Hardy’s Pick Of 2015

Annie Uk Tour 2015

My pick of 2015 is neither a stroke of theatrical genius like the Almeida’s Oresteia nor a brilliant and original work of art like 1927’s Golum. It is in fact a populist musical, despised by many, dating back to the 1970s. NB: If squeaky-voiced, optimistic red-headed orphans conjure distressing memories of amateur productions past, look away now because my pick of 2015 is… believe it or not… Annie. Nikolai Foster’s fast-paced and punchy production – touring the UK until June 2016 – has given one very old dog a fresh lease of life. Annie, with new colourful choreography and a ‘funky’ edge comparable to that in Tim Minchin’s Matilda, can finally escape the chorus of groans that once accompanied its name. Thanks to this energetic reimagining, it’s once again acceptable to hum Charles Strouse’s Tomorrow (boy oh boy!) and soak up Thomas Meehan’s saccharine rags to riches story – just … Read more

REVIEW: Annie, New Wimbledon Theatre (On Tour) ✭✭✭✭

Annie Uk Tour 2015

Thanks to this energetic reimagining, Annie can finally escape the chorus of groans that once accompanied its name. It’s once again acceptable to hum Charles Strouse’s Tomorrow (boy oh boy!) and soak up Thomas Meehan’s saccharine rags to riches story – just as I did when I was seven. Foster’s fast-paced and punchy production – touring the UK until June 2016 – has given one very old dog a fresh lease of life, bringing Annie back for a new, let’s face it, more discerning generation. And they’ve done so with gusto.