Meera Syal to play Miss Hannigan in Annie

British comedian and actor Meera Syal will assume the mantle of Miss Hannigan in Annie once Craig Revel Horwood has finished in the role in the West End.

Syal, who was last onstage in a profoundly affectionate, passionate devotion to someone (-noun) at the Royal Court, will talk on the role from 27 November, through to the show's conclusion on 18 February 2018.

The role is currently being played by Strictly judge and musical theatre veteran Craig Revel Horwood, who took over the role from Miranda Hart in September.

In the WhatsOnStage review of a profoundly affectionate…, Sarah Crompton praised Syal's 'quality of precision to language'. Her previous credits also include Serious Money and The Great Celestial Cow at the Royal Court, Romeo & Juliet at the Garrick Theatre and Behind the Beautiful Forevers and Rafta Rafta for the National Theatre.

Following the conclusion of the West End run Annie will embark on a five-week visit to the Ed Mirvish Theatre in Toronto, with cast to be announced for the production.

The show is Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin's classic musical about the little girl Annie, who manages to escape the orphanage she lives in and make friends with a billionaire. The score includes the likes of "It’s A Hard Knock Life", "Tomorrow" and "Easy Street".

Annie runs at the Piccadilly Theatre until 18 February 2018.

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