Annie Get Your Gun (Tour – Birmingham)

Irving Berlin’s hit filled musical Annie Get Your Gun arrives in Birmingham this week with Emma Williams, Jason Donovan and Norman Pace heading up this upbeat Wild West show.

Following to story of small town girl Annie Oakley on her quest to the glittering lights of show business with her shooting talents, Emma Williams provides the most perfect of characters. After joining Frank Butler (Jason Donovan) on his popular one man shooting show, Annie quickly becomes to star and when things turn sour, she and manager Buffalo Bill (Norman Pace) enlist their own troupe and tour Europe with, what is now, a one woman shooting show.

Packed with memorable melodies and songs such as There’s No Business Like Show Business, Anything You Can Do and Doin’ What Comes Natur’lly this revival is as catchy and witty as ever. Lizzi Gee’s chorography throughout these numbers fits ideally into the feel of this 1940s musical.

Leading lady Emma Williams plays feisty Annie with warmth and determination but with enough heart that you cane engage with her troubles. Taking on the role that has been played by so many Broadway legends in the past is no easy task but the talent that Williams oozes shines through, cementing her past Olivier Award nominations.

Ian Talbot’s direction is sharp, allowing the ensemble to work throughout the piece with terrific integration. Paul Farnsworth’s design is perfect for the Wild West shoot outs and works well without any set changes. The onstage band, led by Stephen Ridley, are a welcome addition to the staging.

Produced by ATG, this tour is billed as ‘pre West End’ and with a cast and production levels this high, a London home for this show would please the capitals theatre scene no end.

Annie Get Your Gun plays at Birmingham’s New Alexandra Theatre until Saturday 5 July.