Yahoo News Annie starring Miranda Hart: Everything you need to know about the West End's newest musical
Family favourite Annie is the latest shiny new musical to hit the West End, and audiences can expect such fun thanks to its star Miranda Hart.
The show, which is now open for previews at Piccadilly Theatre, is hoping to put a smile on London audiences following a national tour. Here’s everything you need to know.
What is it?
Annie started life as a daily comic strip in 1920s America, about a red-haired ten-year-old orphan who likes saying “gee whiskers” and “leapin’ lizards!” a lot. It was turned into a Broadway musical in the 70s, and won a Tony Award for best musical.
By 1982, it had been made into a Hollywood film, starring Tim Curry and Albert Finney, and was remade in 2014 in a version that starred Jamie Foxx, Will Smith, Jay-Z and Cameron Diaz. So in conclusion, people like Annie.
But what happens?
It’s about an orphanage for girls which is run by the tyrannical Miss Hannigan. Annie decides she is going to escape and look for her true parents, and on her travels sees the effects of the Great Depression.
She is caught, but upon her return is sent to live with a billionaire who wants to home an orphan for Christmas. He says he’ll offer a $50,000 reward for anyone who can prove they are Annie’s true parents. And from there, mischief and mayhem abounds.
Who is in the show?
Miranda Hart is the big draw here as Miss Hannigan, but it’s worth making note she’s only in the show until September 17. It’s a much-loved role, previously played by Craig Revel-Horwood and Lesley Joseph on the national tour.
Madeleine Haynes, Lola Moxom and Ruby Stokes will alternate the role of Annie.
What are the big tunes?
Everyone knows Tomorrow, the cute and optimistic tune about hangin’ on in there, and It’s the Hard Knock Life is infamous, sampled by everyone from Jay-Z to Cher Lloyd.
When is it on?
It's booking until January 6, 2018 at the Piccadilly Theatre
