THE SUN WILL COME OUT AS CURTAIN SET TO RISE ON "ANNIE" AT CHESTER THEATRE

The curtain is set to rise on a production of "Annie" at a Chester city centre theatre, 33 years after the same theatre company first performed it.

Originally staged by Chester and Wrexham based community theatre company Tip Top Productions at the Chester Gateway Theatre in 1992, the show is set is set to return, this time being staged by Tip Top at Storyhouse from Wednesday 16^th - Saturday 19^th July at 7.30pm, there will also be a matinee performance at 2.30pm on Saturday 19^th July. The show will be directed for Tip Top by Phil Cross, with musical direction by Simon Phillips and choreography by Rhian Lyon.

With music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin, and book by Thomas Meehan, "Annie" is based on the 1924 comic strip "Little Orphan Annie" by Harold Gray. The original Broadway production opened in 1977 and ran for nearly six years. It spawned numerous productions in many countries, as well as national tours, and won seven Tony Awards, including for Best Musical. Set in 1930s New York during The Great Depression, brave young Annie is forced to live a life of misery at Miss Hannigan’s orphanage. Her luck soon changes when she's chosen to spend a fairytale Christmas with famous billionaire, Oliver Warbucks. Meanwhile, spiteful Miss Hannigan has other ideas and hatches a plan to spoil Annie’s search for her true family. The award winning show includes the unforgettable songs "It’s The Hard-Knock Life", "Easy Street", and "Tomorrow".

Amongst the cast of more than 50 performers, the show will feature Rob Lyon as Oliver Warbucks, Carly Dallen as Miss Hannigan, Josephine McSollars as Grace Farrell and Emily Allerston and Libby Thomas who will play the title role of 'Annie' at alternate performances.

Speaking about staging 'Annie' at Storyhouse, the show's Director Phil Cross said:

"Originally staged at The Chester Gateway Theatre,  'Annie' was Tip Top's first ever large scale musical back in 1992. We are delighted to be staging the show in Chester again,  this time at Storyhouse. We can't wait to bring this feelgood show to the stage once more".

Full details of "Annie" and all Tip Top Productions upcoming shows can be found at: 

www.tiptopproductions.co.uk 

...where tickets can be booked online.

Pictured - Emily Allerston as 'Annie' with Kobe as 'Sandy'.