Much-loved actress Lesley Joseph will star in the role of ‘Miss Hannigan’ in the smash hit production of the musical Annie when it visits His Majesty’s Theatre in Aberdeen later this year (September 24 to 28).
The star returns to the role having played the part in the 2015/16 tour. She is best known for playing Dorien Green in the hugely successful sitcom 'Birds of a Feather' alongside Pauline Quirke and Linda Robson. Lesley most recently appeared as ‘Frau Blucher’ in the West End production of the Mel Brooks musical 'Young Frankenstein' for which she received an Olivier Award nomination for best supporting actress in a musical.
Lesley leads a cast of top musical theatre talent featuring Alex Bourne as ‘Oliver Warbucks’, Richard Meek as ‘Rooster’, Jenny Gayner as ‘Lily’ and Carolyn Maitland as ‘Grace Farrell’. The title role of ‘Annie’ is shared by Faye Katsande, Ava Smith and Freya Yates. They are joined by three teams of young performers who play the girls in Miss Hannigan’s orphanage.
This production recently ran for an extended season in the West End following a sell-out tour of the UK and Ireland in 2015/16 as well as a recent sell-out season in Toronto.
Aberdeen Performing Arts director of programming and creative projects, Ben Torrie, said: “Lesley Joseph is a fantastic actress and we are thrilled that she will be coming to His Majesty’s Theatre in this production – she is the perfect choice for taking on the iconic role of Miss Hannigan and we know that Aberdeen audiences will love her in the part.”
Set in 1930s New York during The Great Depression, brave young Annie is forced to live a life of misery and torment at Miss Hannigan’s orphanage. Determined to find her real parents, her luck changes when she is chosen to spend Christmas at the residence of famous billionaire, Oliver Warbucks. Spiteful Miss Hannigan has other ideas and hatches a plan to spoil Annie’s search.
With its award-winning book and score, this stunning new production includes the unforgettable songs ‘It’s the Hard Knock Life’, ‘Easy Street’, ‘I Don’t Need Anything But You’ and ‘Tomorrow’.
Tickets are available from www.aberdeenperformingarts.com phone (01224) 641122 or in person at the box office at His Majesty’s Theatre, the Music Hall or the Lemon Tree.
Lesley Joseph steps into the role of Miss Hannigan later this year