There is a particular kind of theatrical alchemy required to make Annie feel fresh once again. The songs are iconic, the story universally familiar and the audience arrives already carrying a deep affection for the show. Yet this new UK and Ireland tour, which opens at the New Wimbledon Theatre before embarking on a nationwide journey, succeeds beautifully, delivering an evening that feels both nostalgically comforting and joyfully alive.
Nikolai Foster’s production moves at a brisk pace, balancing old-fashioned musical theatre charm with a contemporary energy that ensures the story still resonates with modern audiences. The result is a production that feels vibrant rather than dated, celebrating everything that has made Annie endure for nearly fifty years while presenting it with renewed freshness and theatrical polish.
From the moment the curtain rises on the orphanage, the production brims with energy and warmth. The young cast is exceptionally strong throughout, bringing polish, personality and genuine camaraderie to every scene. “It’s the Hard-Knock Life” remains one of musical theatre’s great opening numbers, and here it is performed with thrilling precision and infectious spirit, full of spirited choreography and sharp comic timing.
On the evening we attended, the title role was played by Victoria Alsina, who gave a thoroughly winning performance. Bright, poised and emotionally intelligent, she captured Annie’s resilience and optimism without ever tipping into sentimentality. Her rendition of “Tomorrow” was particularly moving, delivered with sincerity and quiet confidence rather than overblown theatrics. It is a demanding role for any young performer, requiring stamina, warmth and charisma in equal measure, and Alsina carried the production effortlessly.
La Voix proves a scene-stealing Miss Hannigan, embracing the role’s delicious theatricality with enormous flair. Her comic instincts are razor sharp, and she extracts every ounce of humour from the character while still allowing glimpses of vulnerability beneath the bravado. “Little Girls” is performed to tremendous comic effect and earns some of the evening’s biggest laughs. The role fits her perfectly, allowing her to showcase both impeccable comic timing and commanding stage presence.
Alongside her, Christian Cooper’s charismatic Rooster and Amber Kennedy’s gloriously mischievous Lily bring terrific energy to “Easy Street”, which becomes one of the production’s standout numbers. Alex Bourne lends Daddy Warbucks genuine emotional depth and warmth, allowing his gradual transformation from stern businessman to devoted father figure to unfold with touching sincerity. Tanisha-Mae Brown also impresses as Grace Farrell, bringing elegance, intelligence and kindness to the role.
Visually, the production is handsome and highly polished. The colourful design captures the storybook spirit of the piece without overwhelming it, while the staging moves seamlessly between the bleakness of the orphanage and the glossy grandeur of Warbucks’ mansion. Nick Winston’s choreography is energetic and beautifully disciplined, particularly during the exuberant “N.Y.C.”, while the orchestra delivers Charles Strouse’s beloved score with richness and exuberance. The production maintains a strong sense of momentum throughout, ensuring that the evening never loses its joyful spirit of escapism.
What makes this production especially successful, however, is its sincerity. Annie can easily become overly saccharine in less careful hands, but here the emotional core feels entirely genuine. The themes of hope, resilience and kindness emerge naturally, never feeling forced or overly sentimental.
As the audience spilled out into Wimbledon’s summer evening humming “Tomorrow”, there was a palpable sense of collective uplift. In uncertain times, Annie still possesses the rare ability to make audiences believe, however briefly, in optimism and happy endings. As the opening stop on this new UK and Ireland tour, the production sets an impressively high standard for the journey ahead, capturing the musical’s enduring magic with warmth, polish and genuine heart.
Annie
Venue: New Wimbledon Theatre
Tour: New UK and Ireland Tour 2026
Running Time: Approximately 2 hours 20 minutes including interval
Booking Information: Annie The Musical UK & Ireland Tour
Tickets: Available via New Wimbledon Theatre Box Office
