The sun will come out in Nottingham this September as the beloved musical Annie arrives at the Royal Concert Hall for a six-day run, starring Coronation Street favourite Claire Sweeney as the gloriously dreadful Miss Hannigan.
Part of Michael Harrison and David Ian’s UK and Ireland tour, the feel-good Broadway classic lands in the city from Tuesday, September 1 to Sunday September 6, 2026, bringing with it a cast packed with West End talent, iconic songs and enough optimism to brighten even the grumpiest orphanage matron.
Sweeney, recently won over viewers as Cassie Plummer in Coronation Street, takes on one of musical theatre’s greatest comic villains. It’s a role that should suit the experienced stage performer perfectly, given a career that includes starring turns in Chicago, Guys and Dolls, Hairspray, Legally Blonde and 9 to 5 The Musical.
Joining her is Alex Bourne as billionaire businessman Oliver Warbucks, a character he has already played in the West End, Toronto and on previous UK tours. Tanisha-Mae Brown stars as Grace Farrell, while Christian Cooper and Amber Kennedy take on scheming duo Rooster and Lily St Regis.
At the heart of the show is Annie herself, the irrepressibly optimistic orphan whose fortunes change when she’s invited to spend Christmas with powerful businessman Warbucks. But with Miss Hannigan plotting from the sidelines and a pair of con artists looking to cash in, things don’t stay simple for long.
Even if you’ve never seen the musical, you’ll almost certainly know the songs. The score includes crowd-pleasing classics such as Tomorrow, It’s the Hard Knock Life, Easy Street and I Don’t Need Anything But You, helping make Annie one of the most enduring family musicals ever staged.
This latest production is directed by Curve Artistic Director Nikolai Foster, whose large-scale musical revivals have become must-see events across the UK. The creative team also includes set and costume designer Colin Richmond, choreographer Nick Winston, lighting designer Ben Cracknell and sound designer Richard Brooker.
Originally premiering on Broadway in 1977, Annie remains one of musical theatre’s biggest success stories, winning seven Tony Awards and inspiring generations with its story of resilience, hope and finding family in unexpected places.
Need to know
Annie
📍 Royal Concert Hall Nottingham
📅 Tuesday September 1 to Sunday September 6, 2026
🎟 Tickets: Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall Nottingham
🌐 More information: Annie The Musical Tour
📞 Box Office: 0115 989 5555
