Annie UK Tour 2026 (credit Paul Coltas)
Annie. The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham.
The award-winning Broadway musical “Annie” opened in 1977 and has pretty much been running somewhere ever since. It was based on a 1924 comic strip, which was based on an 1885 poem. When you first hear “Annie” you immediately envisage a girl with bright red hair wearing a bright red dress singing about “Tomorrow”. It’s like a sugar-coated, all-American, female version of “Oliver” – a story about an abandoned orphan that triumphs. Although it’s set during the great depression, it’s not as gritty as the Dickensian Oliver.
Taking on the mantle of the cutesy heroine at this performance of this current touring production is Sophie Saravanan (one of three Annies) in a delightful and confident performance. She is sent to stay with billionaire Oliver Warbucks (perfectly played by Alex Bourne) who has a requested an orphan to stay with him for the Christmas holidays as a PR stunt.
Drag star La Voix plays the gin-swigging baddie Miss Hannigan who runs the orphanage and there are some wonderfully comedic moments. I do think she could be a little more evil though!
Another stand-out performance was Tanisha-Mae Brown who plays Warbucks’ assistant Grace Farrell. She is a delight to watch and beautifully-voiced.
And of course we must mention Dizzy the dog (one of two) who provided the cutest aspect of the show at this performance as Sandy. Absolutely scene-stealing.
The stars of the show are the children though who are absolutely fantastic. They shine in the energetic “Hard Knock Life” and the wonderful “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile”.
It’s always great to see the number “NYC” in the stage show (it was replaced in the 1981 movie by the inferior “Let’s Go To The Movies”) and it is performed here in all its full production number glory. A highlight.
It’s full of heart, joy, and musical magic. A feel-good show that leaves the audience “dressed with a smile”.
5 stars. Don’t wait ‘til tomorrow, book today!
