Annie The Musical in London – UK Tour Review

I was invited to the press night of ‘Annie The Musical’ at London’s New Wimbledon Theatre. Currently on its UK Tour, showing at New Wimbledon Theatre in London until 11th November 2023, before continuing its tour the UK. This much loved story of Annie and her search for her parents is set to an award winning book and score, including the unforgettable songs It’s The Hard-Knock Life, Easy Street, I Don’t Need Anything But You and Tomorrow . Here is my Annie The Musical Review:

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So what is Annie The Musical all about? Find out everything you need to know about the show and it’s UK tour!

The Show:

Annie The Musical is set in 1930s New York during The Great Depression. Brave young Annie is forced to live a life of misery at Miss Hannigan’s orphanage. Her luck soon changes when she’s chosen to spend a fairytale Christmas with famous billionaire, Oliver Warbucks. Meanwhile, spiteful Miss Hannigan has other ideas and hatches a plan to spoil Annie’s search for her true family….

Annie is simply spectacular! It has all the qualities of a traditional Westend musical, the big dance and music numbers, amazing staging and fantastic cast, yet still feels current and modern. I loved the set design, the choreography was dazzling and we even got treated to a tapping Broadway show midway through. Annie has a strong ensemble and standout main cast members. This is a show I would happily return to see time and time again.

The Characters

What a truly brilliant cast, I have to give an enormous amount of credit to the orphans. They had so much personality that you couldn’t have asked for a more perfectly cast bunch! Looking so tiny yet their characters packed a punch, their choreography was in time and perfectly executed, their singing was perfection and they absolutely smashed it!  They really were such a joy to watch, their cuteness combined with that of the dog Sandy, who made appearances throughout, was just completely adorable.

Harlie Barthram shined in her role as Annie, she has just the right mix of sass and innocence, combined with her brilliant singing voice and her ability to dance, this girl is a triple threat! I thought she made the perfect Annie.

I thought Paul French and Billie-Kay were brilliant as the villains Rooster and Lily. I’ve previously seen Paul play Kenicke in Grease and thought he was a standout then too, he encapsulates the menacing character perfectly, right down to his funny hand gestures and facial expressions… Lily was perfect in her role as his ditsy side kick! A fantastic duo that I felt really added to the show.

Alex Bourne played the part of Daddy Warbucks well, he looked and sounded every bit like his character should and commanded the stage. He was likeable and his chemistry with both Annie and his secretary Grace Farrell played by Amelia Adam’s, was believable. Amelia was charming in her role as Grace. 

Craig Revel-Horwood played the drunken orphanage owner Miss Hannigan. I particularly enjoyed his singing performances where he demonstrated his talent, but sadly I felt like portrayal of his character could have had more depth… I found him to be a bit stiff or slightly at unease in his role. He did deliver some great comedy pieces throughout however.

My thoughts on the show

This show will delight an audience of all ages. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of Annie the Musical in London. Filled with many much loved songs, a heart warming story, amazing dance and music numbers backed up with such an incredible cast… this nailed it for me in every way! I’d definitely recommend adding it to your watch list!

Meet The Cast & Team

• CRAIG REVEL-HORWOOD – MISS HANNIGAN
• JODIE PRENGER – MISS HANNIGAN
• ALEX BOURNE – DADDY WARBUCKS
• ZOE AKINYOSADE – ANNIE
• HARLIE BARTHRAM – ANNIE
• SHARANGI GNANAVARATHAN – ANNIE
• AMELIA ADAMS – GRACE FARRELL
• PAUL FRENCH – ROOSTER
• BILLIE-KAY – LILY
• DAVID BURROWS – LT WARD, FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT, AND JIMMY JOHNSON
• TOMMY WADE-SMITH – DANCE CAPTAIN, BUTLER, FRED MCCRACKEN, AND HOWE
• LUKIN SIMMONDS – BUNDLES, BERT HEALY, ICKES, AND BUTLER
• ALISTAIR BEATTIE – ENSNBC PRODUCER, APPLE SELLER, BUTLER, AND HULLEMBLE
• MARTIN MCCARTHY – DRAKE
• ROSALIND JAMES – SOPHIE, MRS PUGH, AND FRANCES PERKINS
• PHOEBE ROBERTS – CECILLE, CONNIE BOYLAN, AND ASSISTANT DANCE CAPTAIN
• DAWN WILLIAMS – ANNETTE, STAR TO BE, BONNIE BOYLAN, AND MORGANTHAU
• EMILY BARNETT-SALTER – MRS GREER AND RONNIE BOYLAN
• ELLIE MAY-WILSON – SWING
• BELLE KIZZY GREEN – SWING
• MATTHEW SWEET – SWING
• SERGI IBANEZ – SWING

Everything you need to know to book tickets for Annie The Musical:

Annie the Musical UK Tour show dates and to book tickets:

• 7- 11 November – WIMBLEDON Wimbledon New Theatre BOOK ONLINE
• 13 – 18 November – CRAWLEY Hawth Theatre BOOK ONLINE
• 20 – 25 November – BRISTOL Bristol Hippodrome BOOK ONLINE

What is the expected running time?

2 hours 30 minutes incl. interval

Enjoyed this review? Check our review of Shrek the Musical.

I was invited to the press night of Annie The Musical but all thoughts and opinions are strictly my own.

Thank you for reading ‘Annie the Musical London – UK Tour Review’.