Thursday, May 3, 2012

"Annie" in Singapore


The children's musical Annie opens in Singapore on 10 July, check out their press release below:

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One of the World's Most -Loved Musicals of All Time - Annie to make its debut in Singapore!

Tickets are now on sale!

Singapore, 30th April 2012 - Everyone's favourite little red-headed orphan is headed to Singapore to entertain audiences with timeless classics. One of the most-loved musicals of all time, the acclaimed UK production of ANNIE will play in Singapore for the first time at the Grand Theater, Marina Bay Sands from July 10th 2012 for a strictly limited season. Tickets are on sale now.

Leading a supremely talented UK cast is Britain's hilarious star of stage and screen, Su Pollard, and David McAlister, a veteran of the West End stage and TV dramas.

Producer James Cundall, Chief Executive of Lunchbox Theatrical Productions said, "To be working with two of the UK's leading actors is a dream come true. Su Pollard became a national treasure with her performance in Hi-de-Hi!, where she demonstrated that unbelievable comedic timing which she will bring to the role of Miss Hannigan. David McAlister is a consummate star, with the most incredible array of credits spanning more than three decades and a wide spectrum of entertainment. Singapore is in for a real treat with these two wonderful actors starring in such a popular musical."

Perhaps best known for her brilliantly funny portrayal of Peggy in the hit BBC TV series Hi-de-Hi!, Su Pollard will play the dastardly, gin-soaked Miss Hannigan, Head Mistress of the hard-knock New York City Municipal Orphanage. The BAFTA Award-winning Hi-de-Hi! was a prime time favourite on UK television for eight years in the 1980s, turning its cast into household names, and is still frequently repeated on TV channels around the world as a 'classic' sit-com. As well as countless other TV roles, Su has appeared in numerous musicals and plays in London's West End (Godspell, Me and My Girl, Shout!) and around the UK (Grease, Little Shopof Horrors), and has performed her own cabaret show The Su Pollard Show on a UK tour, in New York City and on board the QEII cruise liner. Most recently Su has been performing the role of Miss Hannigan to great acclaim in the UK, and in 2010 was nominated for Best Leading Lady in a musical for her portrayal.

Playing the kindly billionaire businessman Oliver 'Daddy' Warbucks is David McAlister. David has enjoyed success in nearly every area of the entertainment industry from opera at Covent Garden (Franco Zefferelli's Pagliacci) to his own cabaret show at London's Ritz Hotel; from TV comedy (Harry Enfield & Chums) to TV classics(Brideshead Revisited); from radio drama (The Archers, The Lord of the Rings)to TV drama (The Bill, Miss Marple, Doctor Who);from film (Who Dares Wins)to the hugely popular British TV soaps including Eastenders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks, for which he was nominated Best Villain.

His West End performances include the lead role in The Mousetrap, A Month in the Country with Ingrid Bergman, The Sound of Music and the lead role of Noel Coward opposite Joanna Lumley in Noel & Gertie at London's famous King's Head Theatre. He has a vast array of regional UK theatre credits, and since his first acclaimed performance in the role of Daddy Warbucks in 2007, David has now completed five nationwide tours of ANNIE.

Mr Cundall said "ANNIE is one of the major productions Lunchbox is bringing to Singapore this year in partnership with BASE Entertainment Asia. The show comes direct from a highly successful UK tour and features a cast and company of 52. The remainder of the cast have a combined total of 16 West End musical productions to their credit."

The role of Annie will be played in rotation by two UK-based children who will tour with the production.

From its Broadway beginnings to the classic film musical (released in 1982), the heart-warming rags-to-riches story of plucky young Annie's journey from the hard-knock New York orphanage to the luxurious home of billionaire businessman Oliver Warbucks, is a tale that has been told all over the world for decades.

"A musical that tugs at your heartstrings" The Times, UK

Boasting one of Broadway's most memorable, toe-tapping scores, including "It's The Hard Knock Life," "Easy Street" and the legendary "Tomorrow", plus fantastically visual choreography, a side-splittingly funny script and, of course, the adorable dog Sandy, it really is no surprise that ANNIE remains one of the most loved and universally appealing musicals of all time.

Fifty million people of all ages have been delighted by two Broadway runs of ANNIE, two Australian tours, two West End stints, five National U.S. companies, two hit movies and dozens of international productions, playing seasons all over the world. This UK production of ANNIE has been seen by over 3 million people during the last 10 years of touring to every major city in Great Britain.

"One of the most enchanting musicals I have ever seen" Sunday Times, UK

Inspired by the famous comic strip Little Orphan Annie which first ran in the New York News in 1924, Annieis set in Depression Era New York City at a time when the economy looked bleak, government seemed ineffective and the average citizen was desperate and frustrated. With its hopeful message and unwavering belief in a better tomorrow, ANNIE made its Broadway debut in April 1977 and played 2,377 performances before closing in 1983. The show won seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Book (Thomas Meehan), Best Original Score (music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Martin Charnin), and Best Choreography.

"An irresistible show" The Daily Telegraph, UK

Now, 35 years after its Broadway debut, the timeless tale of Little Orphan Annie is back, giving a whole new generation the chance to experience a classic musical about never giving up hope. ANNIE is a delightful theatrical experience for any age.

ANNIE opens on 10 July 2012 for a limited run, and is presented in Singapore by Lunchbox Theatrical Productions Limited, in association with BASE Entertainment Asia.


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Here's a clip of Su Pollard showing off her singing and comedic chops:

   

  Check out the Events Page for tickets.

2 comments:

  1. HI, I was wondering if any of your readers want 2 tickets for Annie on Sat 21st July 1.30pm, Res A for $240 (original price $298). They are very good seats in the Centre Stall, row V which is just 4 rows after the Premium rows. This section is sold out except for 6 seats further back and some at the sides which if course are not as good as centre seats.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ha Janehumbug, thanks for the offer! How should our readers contact you if they are interested?

    ReplyDelete

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