Michael Harrison and David Ian are delighted to announce that their smash hit production of the musical ANNIE will embark on a UK and Ireland tour, including performances at Milton Keynes Theatre from Tue 21 – Sat 26 Jul 2026. Casting is to be announced soon.
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. 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...
Theatre Review: Annie the Musical at Milton Keynes Theatre
The sun came out today at Milton Keynes Theatre, illuminating a stage packed with infectious energy, boundless passion, and sheer youthful talent. From the moment the curtain rises, the young orphan ensemble commands the spotlight with captivating smiles and vibrant choreography, proving from the opening sequence that this classic musical still retains every bit of its heartwarming magic.
One of the standout moments in the opening act comes from little Molly, the youngest of the orphanage group. Though her role is primarily concentrated in the first act, she completely steals the early scenes. The tender moment where Annie gently placates Molly’s middle-of-the-night nightmare sets a sweet, empathetic tone for the entire production, establishing Annie’s natural bravery and maternal warmth before the plot fully takes flight.
That warmth is abruptly—and hilariously—shattered as the atmosphere shifts dramatically with the entrance of Miss Hannigan. Played with booze-soaked, theatrical relish by Claire Sweeney, the tyrannical orphanage matron swans onto the stage in a swirl of colorful desperation, hollering at the children and leaning heavily into the character’s drunken comedic absurdity. Sweeney brings fantastic presence and razor-sharp timing to the role, serving as the perfect, larger-than-life foil to the innocent girls in her care.
The narrative quickly gathers momentum when the spunky Annie runs away to escape the orphanage’s grim confines. After being caught and brought back for a scolding, fate intervenes in the form of Grace Farrell (Tanisha-Mae Brown), the refined assistant to billionaire Oliver Warbucks. In a charming turn of events, Annie cleverly helps steer Grace’s choice, securing an invitation to spend Christmas at the lavish Warbucks mansion.
As Annie settles into her temporary life of luxury, her heart remains anchored to the past; she still longs to find her real mother and father. Moved by her devotion, Mr. Warbucks launches a nationwide search backed by a generous cash reward, even bringing in the influential President Franklin D. Roosevelt to lend the full weight of the White House to the cause. FDR’s incredible presence on stage brings a uplifting wave of optimism to the second act, as Annie's unwavering spirit inspires the President himself to envision a brighter future for the whole country.
Enter stage left: Miss Hannigan’s sleazy brother Rooster (Christian Cooper) and his dim-witted girlfriend Lily St. Regis (Amber Kennedy). Hearing the radio announcement and reward, the scheming trio hatches a fraudulent plot to pose as Annie’s long-lost parents and claim the money, leaving audiences wondering if Annie will ever find true happiness.
Visually, the production is a triumph. Colin Richmond’s scenic design moves effortlessly between contrasting worlds—from the drab, cramped orphanage dormitories to the glittering opulence of the Warbucks estate, the gritty Depression-era New York streets, and the lively atmosphere of the NBC radio station.
Among the cast, Alex Bourne delivers an exceptionally strong performance as Oliver Warbucks, striking just the right balance between formidable industrialist and gentle father figure. The revolving cast of young actors sharing the role of Annie delivers extraordinary vocal power, tackling iconic anthems like "Tomorrow" with astonishing pitch and control. If there is a minor critique, it lies in the dramatic connective tissue: while the singing is top-tier, the emotional relationship between Annie and the adult characters occasionally lacks a bit of natural warmth, feeling somewhat rehearsed rather than deeply felt. Additionally, the bright ginger wig looks noticeably synthetic under the stage lights, which can prove a tad distracting during intimate scenes.
Nevertheless, these minor quibbles do little to dampen the show's spirit. Supported by an outstanding orphan ensemble that bursts with talent, this production remains an absolute delight. If you love Annie, you certainly won't be disappointed—so pick up your chin, put on a smile, and enjoy the ride!
With its Tony award-winning book and score, this stunning production includes the unforgettable songs ‘It’s the Hard Knock Life’, ‘Easy Street’, ‘I Don’t Need Anything But You’ and ‘Tomorrow’. ANNIE has Music by Charles Strouse, Lyrics by Martin Charnin and a Book by Thomas Meehan. It is
directed by Curve’s Artistic Director Nikolai Foster with set and costume design by Colin Richmond, choreography by Nick Winston, lighting by Ben Cracknell and sound design by Richard Brooker ANNIE is produced by Michael Harrison and David Ian. This tour was licensed by Music Theatre
International (MTI).
Tickets are on sale from 10am on Fri 12 Sep and will be available at ATGTICKETS.COM/MiltonKeynes.
