Review of Annie at Milton Keynes Theatre

Annie was first performed now a remarkable fifty years ago at Goodspeed Opera House in Connecticut, and since then, the tale based on a 1920s comic strip and adapted for the stage by Thomas Meehan on book, with music by Charles Strouse, and lyrics provided by Martin Charnin, has become a perennial favourite across the world. Indeed, this version, directed by Nikolai Foster, last appeared at Milton Keynes Theatre in 2023. So, after all these years, does Annie still have that appeal?

Set in 1930s New York during the Great Depression, Annie follows the life of an orphan abandoned to the care of its evil matron, Miss Hannigan. Annie seeks escape, and after one failed attempt, she finds herself the chosen Christmas guest of billionaire Oliver Warbucks, and things slowly, hopefully begin to improve for the little but fiercely strong Annie.

Leading the adult cast for this tour now as the cruel Miss Hannigan is Claire Sweeney. Sweeney clearly revels in the chance to embrace an over-the-top villain and looks to be having a lot of fun, which translates well to the audience, especially the many youngsters there. She effortlessly milks the comic moments and has no trouble delivering the required songs for the role.

Returning once again from 2023 is Alex Bourne as Daddy Warbucks, Annie's saviour, and he retains the brilliant touch of aloofness and charm, now clearly very at ease with the role after having performed it for a number of years. The roles of additional baddies Rooster and Lily, played this time by Christian Cooper and Amber Kennedy, again are a disappointment, with Cooper’s Rooster particularly limp in the villainess stakes, offering very little menace, and the performance of Easy Street is surprisingly underplayed as well. Cooper does come good though in his particularly strong dance numbers.

Tanisha-Mae Brown is absolutely fabulous as Warbucks' assistant Grace Farrell, and Brown’s singing voice is a surprising and delicious delight. Finally, of mention in the cast is a cuddly performance from Carl Sanderson as Franklin Roosevelt, a glorious, fun creation of the president and part of a delightfully funny rendition of Tomorrow with his White House staff.

Upstaging all the adults, though, is the fabulous young cast led by Sophia Saravanan as the titular character. She is enthralling and full of immense confidence for one so young. Her performances of classics such as Maybe and Tomorrow are superb. All of the other young stars, the Chrysler Team for this performance, are a delight, but special mention for the diminutive Jemima Lown as Molly, full of energy, character and a sure star in the making.

Choreography by Nick Winston is a visual feast, utilising the very best of the ensemble's skills to bring some brilliant routines to the stage. Meanwhile, Colin Richmond's curious set design cleverly merges the story of children at play with the weaving puzzle that is Annie's search for her parents from its innovative jigsaw design. Director Nikolai Foster once again shows his boundless skill in keeping the show flowing and full of energy, entertaining everyone.

Annie is a brilliant evening of entertainment, has certainly lost none of its charm over the fifty years, and is perhaps one of the best introductions to musical theatre for children out there. An authentic, quality musical that leaves the audience both buoyant on heading home and with a guaranteed earworm or two. If you have never seen Annie before, this is a solid production that is worth your attention, and if you have any children, use it as the perfect introduction to the magical world of theatre.

It's no hard knock life watching this delightful musical.
⭐⭐⭐⭐

Performance reviewed: Tuesday 21st July 2026 at the Milton Keynes Theatre, Milton Keynes.

Annie runs at Milton Keynes Theatre until Saturday, 25th July 2026, before continuing its tour.

For further details about Milton Keynes, see their website at https://www.atgtickets.com/venues/milton-keynes-theatre/

For further details of the tour, see the website at https://www.anniethemusicaltour.uk/

Photographs: Paul Coltas
(Images depict different cast members from those mentioned in this review.)

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