Paul O’Grady will star in the forthcoming UK tour of smash-hit musical Annie.
The comedian, broadcaster and former drag queen is set to join the UK tour as Miss Hannigan for 6 venues only, playing Newcastle Theatre Royal, Edinburgh Playhouse, Southampton Mayflower, Liverpool Empire, Bord Gais Energy Theatre and Bristol Hippodrome. The former Blankety Blank host returns to the role, having previously play Miss Hannigan in the late 2000’s.
The production opens at Curve, Leicester on Saturday 25 February 2023, and will tour the UK and Ireland throughout 2023
This show enjoyed sell-out UK and Ireland tours throughout 2015/16 and in 2019, as well as extended seasons in both the West End and Toronto.
Annie is a multi-award winning Broadway classic about a young girl who 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.
The musical features much-loved songs including ‘It’s the Hard Knock Life’, ‘Easy Street’, ‘I Don’t Need Anything But You’ and ‘Tomorrow’.
Annie has music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin and a book by Thomas Meehan. It is directed by Curve’s Artistic Director Nikolai Foster, with set and costume design by Colin Richmond, choreography by Nick Winston, lighting by Ben Cracknell and sound design by Richard Brooker. The production is produced by Michael Harrison and David Ian.
Following its premiere at Curve Leicester it will travel to Newcastle, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Oxford, Southampton, Dartford, Llandudno, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Liverpool, Woking, Cardiff, Bradford, Southend, Bromley and Norwich, Dublin and Bristol. Further tour dates to follow.
Why isn’t Paul O’ Grady appearing in London in ‘Annie’?