Annie Turns 21 with West End Revival
Date: 30 June 1998
Orphan Annie will return to the West End this autumn when the 21st anniversary production of the award-winning musical opens at the Victoria Palace Theatre on 30 September 1998 (previews from 22 September). Annie, directed by its original director and lyricist Martin Charnin, has not been seen in the West End since 1983.
A 10-year-old red-headed girl from Hertfordshire has been chosen over 1,000 girls from all over Britain to play the title role. Charlene Barton, from Hemel Hempstead, performed two of the show-stoppers - “Tomorrow” and “It's a Hard Knock Life” - in the final audition last week. Due to British regulations on child labour, although Barton will be contracted for three months, she will only appear in 40 shows. Auditions for other Annies, who will alternate with Barton, are still being held.
Barton and her counterparts will star with Lesley Joseph as the hardened Miss Hannigan who runs the orphanage with an iron rod. Joseph is best known for her role as Dorien in the TV sitcom Birds of a Feather. On stage, she recently won critical acclaim for her one woman show Singular Woman and has appeared in productions of The Miser, Wonderful Town and Exclusive Yarns. Kevin Colson will play Daddy Warbucks.
Set in Depression-era America, Annie tells the story of an orphan girl - with her dog Sandy as a sidekick - who is desperate to escape an oppressive orphanage. When millionaire Daddy Warbucks decides to adopt Annie, her dreams start to come true - with a few hitches.
Annie will follow another revival into the Victoria Palace. Cy Coleman s Sweet Charity, starring former child star Bonnie Langford, opened 19 May 1998. It is currently booking to 15 August and is unlikely to transfer to another theatre.
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