Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood will reprise his role as Miss Hannigan in the West End revival of Annie this September, taking over the role at the end of Miranda Hart’s run in the hit family show.
Having won acclaim as the odious orphanage owner in the show’s UK tour in 2015, Horwood will return to the West End for the first time since his part as Muskustrap in Cats, performing in Annie for a 10-week run between 18 September to 26 November 2017. Miranda Hart will play the role of Miss Hannigan until 17 September 2017.
During his 10-week run, because of his Strictly Come Dancing commitments, he will not play the role of Miss Hannigan on Saturdays.
Craig Revel Horwood as Miss Hannigan in Annie (Photo: Matt Crockett)
The announcement coincides with the news that Nikolai Foster’s production will extend booking at the Piccadilly Theatre to 18 February 2018.
Horwood said of the casting: “I am so pleased to be returning to the West End, especially to a role I had such a brilliant time performing on tour.”
“Miss Hannigan is evil, sassy and fab-u-lous. It will be a real challenge for me not to take her man-hungry, wicked ways to the Strictly judging panel each Saturday night – though I am sure my fellow judges will keep me in check! I can’t wait to get started.”
Craig Revel Horwood (Miss Hannigan), Jonny Fines (Rooster) and Djalenga Scott (Lily) (Photo: Matt Crockett)
The Annie West End Company also includes Alex Bourne as Daddy Warbucks, Holly Dale Spencer as Grace Farrell, Jonny Fines as Rooster and Djalenga Scott as Lily. The title role of Annie is shared by Madeleine Haynes, 13-years old from Hadley Wood, Barnet, Lola Moxom, 12-years old from Rochester, Kent and Ruby Stokes, 12-years old from Hampshire.
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 plans…