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# PREVIEW: Annie @The Congress Theatre Eastbourne
- URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/preview-annie-the-congress-theatre-eastbourne/
- Published: 2019-06-01T18:40:15.000Z
- Updated: 2019-06-01T18:40:15.000Z
- Description: LESLEY Joseph will star as Miss Hannigan in the smash hit production of the musical Annie at the Congress Theatre, Eastbourne from Tuesday, August 13 – Saturday, August 17. Lesley joins Alex Bourne as Oliver Warbucks, Richard Meek as Rooster, Jenny Gayner as Lily and Carolyn Maitland as Grace Farrel
- Author: Brian Butler

## *Birds of a Feather* star returns to play Miss Hannigan in *Annie* at Eastbourne.

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/annie-lesley-joseph-600-1.jpg)

**LESLEY Joseph will** star as Miss Hannigan in the smash hit production of the musical *Annie* at the Congress Theatre, Eastbourne from Tuesday, August 13 – Saturday, August 17.

Lesley joins **Alex Bourne** as Oliver Warbucks, **Richard Meek** as Rooster, **Jenny Gayner** as Lily and **Carolyn Maitland** as Grace Farrell and a full supporting cast.

This production recently ran for an extended season in the West End following a sell-out tour of the UK and Ireland in 2015/16 as well as a recent sell-out season in Toronto.

Lesley Joseph returns to role of ‘Miss Hannigan’ having played the part in this production in 2015/16.

She is best known for playing **Dorien Green** in the hugely successful sitcom *Birds of a Feather* alongside **Pauline Quirke** and **Linda Robson**. They recorded over 100 episodes over a period of nine years and returned to our screens in 2014 for a further three series.

![Photo Matt Crockett](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/annie-lesley-joseph-400.jpg)

Photo Matt Crockett

Lesley most recently appeared as Frau Blucher in the West End production of the Mel Brooks musical *Young Frankenstein* for which she received an Olivier Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical. Her other theatre credits include Miss Hannigan in *Annie* at the West End’s Victoria Palace and also on national tour as well as the touring productions of *Calendar Girls* and *Thoroughly Modern Mille*.

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. Determined to find her real parents, her luck changes when she is chosen to spend Christmas at the residence of famous billionaire, Oliver Warbucks. Spiteful Miss Hannigan has other ideas and hatches a plan to spoil Annie’s search…

With its award-winning book and score, this stunning new production includes the unforgettable songs ‘It’s the Hard Knock Life’, ‘Easy Street’, ‘I Don’t Need Anything But You’ and ‘Tomorrow’.

Annie has music by **Charles Strouse**, lyrics by **Martin Charnin** and a book by **Thomas Meehan**. Annie is directed by **Nikolai Foster** with set and costume design by **Colin Richmond**, choreography by **Nick Winston**, lighting by **Ben Cracknell** and sound design by **Richard Brooker**. Annie is produced by **Michael Harrison** and **David Ian**.

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**Event:** Annie starring Lesley Joseph

**Where:** Congress Theatre, 49 Carlisle Rd, Eastbourne BN21 4JR

**When:** Tuesday, August 13 – Saturday, August 17.

**Time:** 7.30pm nightly – plus 2.30pm matinee on Saturday

**Cost:** Tickets Tuesday – Thursday £21.50 – £42.50 and Friday-Saturday £24.50 – £47.50

**To book tickets online, click [here:](https://www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk/events/annie-1?ref=scenemag.co.uk)**

Or call **01323 442000**