Annie starring Anita Dobson opens ta the Storyhouse today

Annie opens at the Storyhouse today, Monday 25 March.

Anita Dobson will star as Miss Hannigan, joined by Alex Bourne as Oliver Warbucks, Richard Meek as Rooster, Jenny Gayner as Lily, and Carolyn Maitland as Grace Farrell.

The title role of Annie is shared by Faye Katsande, Ava Smith and Freya Yates. They are joined by three teams of young performers who play the girls in Miss Hannigan’s orphanage.

Completing the cast are Michael Anderson, Thomas Audibert, Andy Barke, Caroline Bateson, Daisy Boyles, Blaise Colangelo, Gary Davis, Ashleigh Graham, George Rae, Anne Smith, India Thornton, Matt Trevorrow, Amy West, and Samuel Wilson Freeman.

Set in 1930s New York during The Great Depression, brave young Annie is forced to live a life of misery and torment at Miss Hannigan’s orphanage. Determined to find her real parents, her luck changes when she is chosen to spend Christmas at the residence of famous billionaire, Oliver Warbucks. Spiteful Miss Hannigan has other ideas and hatches a plan to spoil Annie’s search.

With its award-winning book and score, this stunning new production includes the unforgettable songs It’s The Hard Knock Life, Easy Street, I Don’t Need Anything But You, and Tomorrow.

As Angie Watts in EastEnders, Anita Dobson created one of the most popular characters in television winning numerous awards.

Her West End theatre credits include Madame Morrible in Wicked; Mama Morton in Chicago; Mrs Meers in Thoroughly Modern Millie; Chris in Calendar Girls; Joan Crawford in Bette and Joan; and Nancy in Frozen at the National Theatre, for which she was nominated for an Olivier, Evening Standard and London Critics Award. Her film credits include London Road.

Alex Bourne reprises his performance as Oliver Warbucks after playing the role in this production of Annie in the West End, Toronto, and on the 2015/16 tour.

His many other West End credits include Danny in Grease; The Beast in Beauty and the Beast; Billy Flynn in Chicago; Khashoggi in We Will Rock You; and Fred/Petruchio in Kiss Me, Kate, for which he received an Olivier Award nomination for Best Actor in a Musical.

His other credits include Daryl Van Horne in The Witches of Eastwick; and the Watermill Theatre, for which he received a TMA nomination for Best Actor; Sam Michael in the national tour of Mamma Mia!; and Lex Hogan in Eugenius! at the Other Palace.

Richard Meek’s many credits include Trevor Graydon in Thoroughly Modern Millie; Brad, Eddie and Dr Scott in The Rocky Horror Show; and Sir Galahad in Spamalot, all on national tour. He has also appeared as Leo Bloom in the international tour of The Producers, as well as Dustin and Greaseball in the 25^th anniversary cast of Starlight Express in Bochum, Germany.

Jenny Gayner’s West End credits include Miss Wilson in the original cast of The Girls at the Phoenix Theatre; Hunyak in Chicago at the Adelphi, Cambridge and Garrick theatres; and Spamalot at the Palace Theatre. Jenny has also appeared as Lina Lamont in Singin’ In The Rain and Brooke Windham in Legally Blonde, both at Kilworth House.

Carolyn Maitland reprises her performance as Grace Farrell after playing the role in this production of Annie in Toronto.

Her West End credits include Ellen in Miss Saigon at the Prince Edward Theatre; Marian in The Woman In White at Charing Cross Theatre; and Groundhog Day and Kiss Me, Kate, both at the Old Vic.

Her other credits include Molly in the national tour of Ghost; and Kathy Seldon in Singin’ In The Rain at Kilworth House.

Annie has music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin, and a book by Thomas Meehan.

The musical is directed by Nikolai Foster, with set and costume design by Colin Richmond, choreography by Nick Winston, lighting by Ben Cracknell, and sound design by Richard Brooker. Annie is produced by Michael Harrison and David Ian.

More Information: storyhouse.com/event/annie