Annie to Launch Major UK and Ireland Tour in 2026
The sun will indeed come out tomorrow, as the beloved musical Annie has announced a brand-new UK and Ireland tour set to begin in May 2026.
Created by Charles Strouse, Martin Charnin and Thomas Meehan, Annie tells the heartwarming story of a plucky young orphan who finds a new family when she is adopted by billionaire Oliver Warbucks, much to the dismay of the scheming Miss Hannigan. The timeless musical features classic songs including It’s the Hard Knock Life, Easy Street, I Don’t Need Anything But You and the iconic anthem Tomorrow.
This new revival will be directed by Nikolai Foster, artistic director of Leicester’s Curve Theatre. The creative team includes Colin Richmond (set and costume design), Nick Winston (choreography), Ben Cracknell (lighting design), and Richard Brooker (sound design).
The production has enjoyed huge success both in the West End and on previous tours, with notable stars such as the late Paul O’Grady, Miranda Hart, and Craig Revel Horwood taking on the role of Miss Hannigan. Casting for the 2026–27 tour will be announced at a later date.
The tour will open at Wimbledon on 23 May 2026, before visiting major cities across the UK and Ireland including Birmingham, Manchester, Plymouth, Canterbury, Cardiff, Milton Keynes, Blackpool, Newcastle, Dublin, Bristol, Nottingham, Hull, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Truro, Cheltenham, Stoke-on-Trent, Crawley, Belfast, Aberdeen, Woking, Bradford, and Oxford, where it will play a festive season.
Into 2027, the tour will continue with stops in Sunderland, Norwich, Wolverhampton, Glasgow, and Leicester, with further venues expected to be added.
With its mix of family-friendly humour, unforgettable score, and a story that continues to inspire generations, Annie is set to be one of the theatrical highlights of 2026–27.
