Alex BourneThe West End production of Annie is at the Piccadilly Theatre from 23rd May 2017 with opening night on 5th June 2017.
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 changes when she is chosen to spend Christmas at the residence of famous billionaire, Oliver Warbucks. Meanwhile, spiteful Miss Hannigan has other ideas and hatches a plan to spoil Annie’s search for her true family…
Miranda Hart will play the role of Miss Hannigan, Alex Bourne as Daddy Warbucks, Holly Dale Spencer as Grace Farrell, Jonny Fines as Rooster and Djalenga Scott as Lily.
Alex Bourne chatted to us at LondonTheatre1.com about being in the production.
Q: What made you want to join the cast of Annie?
Alex: I was lucky enough to be in the touring version and it has become my favourite show, so I am just the happiest bloke in the world to be in the London Production.
Q: For those that don’t know the storyline, can you summarise what is at the heart of Annie?
Alex: Annie is the story of a little girl who was left on the steps of an orphanage as a baby by her parents. She believes that they are alive and will come and get her one day. My character, Oliver Warbucks, decides to have an orphan come and stay at his billionaire’s mansion for 2 weeks over Christmas. Annie is the chosen orphan. Over this time Oliver begins to become a father figure to Annie and wants to adopt her. Annie helps him to realise that there is more to life than big corporate business and helps him learn to love again.
Q: You play the role of Daddy Warbucks – what can you tell us about him?
Alex: He is the richest man in the world at the time and has been so focused on making a success of himself that he has forgotten what life and love are all about. Annie awakens something in his heart. He helps Annie to find her real parents, using every string he can pull, even enlisting the help of President Franklyn D. Roosevelt.
Q: Can you tell us about rehearsals? What’s it like working with the cast and the Creative Team?
Alex: We’ve been having a wonderful time in rehearsals, re-inventing things for the London show. It’s so exciting to be creating this new version of Annie, with the powerful team of Nikolai Foster (director) Nick Winston (choreographer) and George Dyer (musical director and orchestrator)
Q: Miranda Hart plays the role of Miss Hannigan, what’s it like working with Miranda?
Alex: I only have one scene with Miranda and that’s hard enough to get through without laughing! She is very funny of course, but a beautiful actress too.
Q: Away from the stage what do you like to do to chill out?
Alex: I like to record music in my home studio and I’m a keen golfer. Keen doesn’t mean good!
Q: Back on the stage – why should everyone get along to see the show?
Alex: It’s an emotional story full of some incredible songs. The kids steal the show! Plus we have a dog. You’ll laugh and cry and leave the theatre humming the tunes. Come on down to the Piccadilly and have a wonderful night out!
*****
Alex Bourne’s theatre credits include Mama Mia! and Rocky Horror Show on tour in the UK, Kiss Me Kate for the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall, We Will Rock You and Beauty and the Beast at the Dominion, Chicago at the Adelphi, Grease at the Cambridge Theatre, Showboat for the Royal Shakespeare Company and Opera North and Annie on tour in the UK.
The world’s favourite family musical Annie makes its long-awaited return to London this May, starring comedy superstar Miranda Hart*.
The award-winning writer and star of smash-hit TV shows Miranda and Call the Midwife makes her West End debut as the tyrannical Miss Hannigan in this stunning new production.
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…
With its ® award-winning book and score, including the unforgettable songs It’s The Hard-Knock Life, Easy Street and Tomorrow – this is a show not to be missed!
Annie
Piccadilly Theatre
16 Denman Street, London, W1D 7DY