Irving Berlin’s 1946 Broadway musical is a fictionalised account of gunslinger Annie Oakley and her husband.

Annie Get Your Gun is set in the Wild West, where Frank Butler is the sharpest sharpshooter around and the heart-throb of Buffalo Bill’s travelling Wild West show. He’ll take on any challenge… and win. That is, until Frank meets his match in the rough and ready tomboy Annie Oakley. Romantic sparks fly, but as long as he is competitive and she is stubborn the course of true love never will run smooth.

Berlin’s much-loved score for Annie Get Your Gun includes the top-tapping numbers There’s No Business Like Show Business, Doin’ What Comes Natur’lly and Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better.

The original production of Annie Get Your Gun opened on Broadway in 1946 starring Ethel Merman as Annie. The UK premiere took place the following year. It was made into a film in 1950.

In this major revival at the Young Vic the role of Annie is played by Jane Horrocks, who last appeared at the venue in The Good Soul Of Szechuan. Known for her screen and stage roles, Horrocks came to prominence on stage in the original production of The Rise And Fall Of Little Voice, which was subsequently made into a film, again starring Horrocks. She is still best remembered for her portrayal of ditzy assistant Bubbles in sitcom Absolutely Fabulous, though her many television credits also include The Amazing Mrs Pritchard and The Street. She was last seen on stage at the Royal Court in Aunt Dan And Lemon earlier this year.

The role of Frank in Annie Get Your Gun is taken by Julian Ovenden, last seen in the West End in Marguerite at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. Ovenden’s many stage credits include Merrily We Roll Along and Grand Hotel, both at the Domar Warehouse.

For more about Annie Get Your Gun at the Young Vic, read the First Night Feature.

Looking to see some musical theatre? Find out more about London musicals.