Annie Heads to New Zealand in 2014

HEADS TO NEW ZEALAND IN 2014

TICKETS ON SALE MONDAY 7 OCTOBER

Everyone’s favourite little red-headed orphan is New Zealand-bound. The acclaimed UK production of ANNIE – one of the best-loved musicals of all time - will play in Wellington from 23 May 2014 at the St James Theatre, and in Auckland from 13 June at The Civic for a strictly limited season. Tickets go on sale 27 September. 

“One of the most enchanting musicals I have ever seen” SUNDAY TIMES, UK

The show will feature a host of familiar faces from British TV and stage, and will propel local talent into the spotlight in the lead role of Annie as well as her fellow orphans. 

Leading the stellar cast is the UK’s hilarious star of stage and screen, Su Pollard, and David McAlister, a veteran of the West End stage and TV dramas. 

Perhaps best known for her brilliantly funny portrayal of Peggy in the hit BBC TV series Hi-de-Hi!, Su Pollard will play the dastardly, gin-soaked Miss Hannigan, headmistress of the hard-knock New York City Municipal Orphanage. The BAFTA Award-winning Hi-de-Hi! was a prime time favourite on UK television for eight years in the 1980s, turning its cast into household names. Hi-de-Hi! is currently screening on Sky TV’s Jones channel.  

As well as her many TV roles, Su has appeared in numerous musicals and plays in London’s West End (Godspell, Me and My Girl, Shout!) and around the UK (Grease, Little Shop of Horrors), and has performed her own cabaret show The Su Pollard Show on a UK tour, in New York City and on board the QEII cruise liner. Most recently Su has been performing the role of Miss Hannigan to great acclaim in the UK, as well as seasons in Hong Kong and Singapore, and in 2010 was nominated for Best Leading Lady in a musical for her portrayal.
Playing the kindly billionaire businessman Oliver ‘Daddy’ Warbucks is David McAlister.  David has enjoyed success in nearly every area of the entertainment industry from opera at Covent Garden (Franco Zefferelli’s Pagliacci) to his own cabaret show at London’s Ritz Hotel; from TV comedy (Harry Enfield & Chums) to TV classics (Brideshead Revisited); from radio drama (The Archers, The Lord of the Rings) to TV drama (The Bill, Miss Marple, Doctor Who); from film (Who Dares Wins) to the hugely popular British TV soaps including Eastenders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks, for which he was nominated Best Villain.

His West End performances include the lead role in The Mousetrap, A Month in the Country with Ingrid Bergman, The Sound of Music and the lead role of Noel Coward opposite Joanna Lumley in Noel & Gertie at London’s famous King’s Head Theatre. He has a vast array of regional UK theatre credits, and since his first acclaimed performance in the role of Daddy Warbucks in 2007, David has now completed five UK tours and one Hong Kong/Singapore tour of ANNIE.

Making a welcome return to New Zealand is MiG Ayesa in the role of Rooster -- Miss Hannigan’s scheming brother.  MiG was last seen on these shores in the lead role of Galileo Figaro in the hit musical We Will Rock You in 2007, following his success in the hit TV show, Rock Star: INXS.  MiG has performed in many West End and Broadway musicals including Rent, Rock of Ages and Thriller Live.

Playing the role of former US President Franklin D Roosevelt is Frazer Hines, best known as Joe Sugden in Emmerdale for 22 years, and with 117 episodes as the Doctor’s assistant in Dr Who to his credit.  Also joining the cast are two stars from the hit  BBC TV comedy series ‘Allo ‘Allo - Sue Hodge, who played waitress Mimi Labonq for five years, and John D Collins who played Flying Officer Fairfax for ten years. 

“A musical that tugs at your heartstrings”The Times, UK

Producer James Cundall, Chief Executive of Lunchbox Theatrical Productions said, “To be bringing some of the UK’s leading actors to New Zealand is a dream come true. Su Pollard became a national treasure in the UK with her performance in Hi-de-Hi!, where she demonstrated that unbelievable comedic timing which she will bring to the role of Miss Hannigan. David McAlister is a consummate star, with the most incredible array of credits spanning more than three decades and a wide spectrum of entertainment. New Zealand is in for a real treat with this incredible array of talent starring in such a popular musical.”

The show comes direct from a highly successful UK tour and features a cast of 32, including Annie and nine fellow orphans. 

“We will be casting the roles of Annie and the orphan children locally, giving aspiring young actresses in New Zealand the opportunity of a lifetime to star on stage in an international production. And of course we will be scouting for local canine talent for the role of Sandy the dog, so keep an eye out for further details!” added Mr Cundall.

From its Broadway beginnings to the classic film musical, the heart-warming rags-to-riches story of plucky young Annie’s journey from the hard-knock New York orphanage to the luxurious home of billionaire businessman Oliver Warbucks, is a tale that has been told all over the world for decades.

Boasting one of Broadway’s most memorable, toe-tapping scores, including “It’s The Hard Knock Life”, “Easy Street” and the legendary “Tomorrow”, plus fantastically visual choreography, a side-splittingly funny script and, of course, the adorable dog Sandy, it really is no surprise that ANNIE remains one of the most loved and universally appealing musicals of all time.

More than 50 million people of all ages have been delighted by three Broadway runs of ANNIE, two Australian tours, two West End stints, five National U.S. companies, two hit movies (1982 and 1999) with a third due for release in December, and dozens of international productions, playing seasons all over the world. This UK production of ANNIE has been seen by over 3 million people during its tour to every major city in Great Britain, and last year played sell-out seasons in Hong Kong and Singapore.

“An irresistible show” The Daily Telegraph, UK

Inspired by the famous comic strip Little Orphan Annie which first ran in the New York News in 1924, Annie is set in Depression Era New York City at a time when the economy looked bleak, government seemed ineffective and the average citizen was desperate and frustrated.  With its hopeful message and unwavering belief in a better tomorrow, ANNIE made its Broadway debut in April 1977 and played 2377 performances before closing in 1983. The show won seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Book (Thomas Meehan), Best Original Score (music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Martin Charnin), and Best Choreography.

Now, 37 years after its Broadway debut, the timeless tale of Little Orphan Annie will be coming to New Zealand, giving a whole new generation the chance to experience a classic musical about never giving up hope. ANNIE is a delightful theatrical experience for any age.

ANNIE is produced by Lunchbox Theatrical Productions Limited and David Atkins Enterprises in association with Playhouse Productions.

www.anniethemusical.co.nz

TICKETS ON SALE MONDAY 7 OCTOBER

SEASON DETAILS

WELLINGTON

VENUE                          St James Theatre

SEASON                       From Tuesday 23 May

BOOKINGS                  0800 TICKETEK (0800 842 538) or ticketek.co.nz

Groups 10+ SAVE!     Call Group Bookings on 04 384 3842

AUCKLAND

VENUE                          The Civic

SEASON                       From Friday 13 June

BOOKINGS                 09 970 9700 or ticketmaster.co.nz

Groups 10+ SAVE!     Call Group Bookings on 09 970 9745

Packages                     visit showbiznz.co.nz

ENDS

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