Lesley Joseph to star as Miss Hannigan in Annie tour

Lesley Joseph is to return to the role of Miss Hannigan in the touring production of Annie.

The show, which recently ran in the West End starring Miranda Hart, will start its tour on 2 February in Manchester, with Anita Dobson and Craig Revel Horwood playing the role of Hannigan at different venues from February to July.

Joseph, who is known for starring in Birds of a Feather and was recently nominated for an Olivier Award for her turn in Young Frankenstein in the West End, will take on the role of the villainous Hannigan from 24 September, after previously playing the role during the 2015/16 tour and in the West End when the show was revived in 1998.

She will be performing in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Sunderland, Canterbury, Crawley, Belfast, Ipswich, Wimbledon and Stoke on Trent.

Joining her in the production will be Alex Bourne as Oliver Warbucks (after playing the role in the West End), Richard Meek (Thoroughly Modern Millie), Jenny Gayner (The Girls) and Carolyn Maitland (Miss Saigon). The title role of Annie will be shared by Faye Katsande, Ava Smith and Freya Yates.

With music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin and a book by Thomas Meehan, the musical about a red-headed orphan searching for her parents features songs including "It's the Hard Knock Life", "Easy Street" and "Tomorrow".

The touring production is directed by Nikolai Foster and has set and costume design by Colin Richmond, choreography by Nick Winston, lighting by Ben Cracknell and sound design by Richard Brooker.