Annie Makes West End Comeback … “Tomorrow”???

According to The Stage newspaper, the current touring production of Annie may soon be returning to the West End, perhaps for a limited Christmas season. The musical’s American composer Charles Strouse has been in town this month for his 80th birthday celebrations (See News, 12 Sep 2008). As part of the festivities, he paid a visit to the production at Cheltenham Everyman.

Strouse told The Stage: “Hopefully it will come back to the West End again. That is what I think its future will be – in London.”

Premiered in 1977, Annie, the rag-to-riches story of a mop-topped orphan, ran on Broadway for more than 2,000 performances, closing in 1983. It won seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The score includes “It’s a Hard Knock Life”, “Easy Street”, “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile” and “Tomorrow”. The 1982 Hollywood film version featured Albert Finny, Tim Curry and Bernadette Peters.

The stage musical was last seen in the West End in 1998, when Lesley Joseph played the cruel orphanage boss Miss Hannigan at the Victoria Palace. Ruth Madoc takes the role in the current production.