Su Pollard is laugh out loud funny as Miss Hannigan, the incurable lush/romantic who runs the orphanage which has been our heroine’s home for the past 11 years. This is a great vehicle for this comedy natural and I never knew she had such a fantastic singing voice. Messenger: The Lowry, Manchester

The enthusiastic cast is headed by bubbly Su Pollard ( Hi-De-Hi) one of the best Miss Hannigans I've seen. As the alcoholic Matron of the orphanage, the audience loved her quirky sense of fun. City Life: The Lowry, Manchester

The opening night played in front of a packed full house in Bristol were enthralled by a strong cast lead by the superbly talented Su Pollard. Worcester News: Bristol Hippodrome

This week’s Hippodrome performance has the added selling power of Su Pollard, who gives a hilarious performance as mean orphanage mistress, the alcoholic Miss Hannigan. Su’s singing was pitch perfect. Bristol24-7: Bristol Hippodrome

Su Pollard chews up the scenery (and washes it down with a swig of hard liquor) as the child-hating, alcohol sodden Miss Hannigan. It’s a wonderfully dotty performance, showcasing Pollard’s well-known talents as a comic actress. What's On Stage: Sunderland Empire

Su relishes the role of Miss Hannigan and gives the character lots of layers. Her vast experience of playing comedic roles stand her in good stead to play the drunken lush and her sensational singing voice is utilised to maximum effect in numbers that include Easy Street and Little Girls. Indeed, Miss Pollard gives a consummate performance that dominates the entire show. UK Theatre Network: Sunderland Empire

Annie is more than a tale of a spunky, red-headed orphan looking for her family – though this is what ultimately leaves the audience with hearts aglow.

The musical was created from a Depression-era newspaper cartoon strip and retains some political commentary. President Roosevelt counts among its characters and when he commands his economic advisors to join in a rendition of Tomorrow, a way out of the Depression is born.

Perhaps Gordon Brown should be told. The dour PM singing: “The sun’ll come out tomorrow” would be on-message – and undoubtedly get lots of YouTube hits.

Little Lydia Tunstall (alternating with Chloe Greig as the eponymous heroine) sings it best, however. She makes a fine Annie, having a strong voice, sure delivery and expressive elbows.

Despite her charm, the biggest “aah” of opening night went to Danny the Dog, appearing on his eighth tour with the show as Annie’s stray pal.

Su Pollard, who to me will be forever Peggy from Hi-De-Hi!, is unrecognisable as half-cut Miss Hannigan, head of the orphanage. And she particularly shines in the number Easy Street as she looks forward to “dripping in pearls” rather than girls.

The story takes off when, despite Miss Hannigan’s best efforts, Annie is whisked away to stay with billionaire Oliver Warbucks for Christmas.

David McAlister, a veteran of too many productions to mention, makes a dashing Daddy Warbucks, most unlike Albert Finney’s character in the 1982 film.

Comparisons aside, my nine-year-old loved the show which is, after all, a hymn to the wondrous-ness of little girls, played, Annie aside, by pupils of Sunderland’s own Kathleen Knox School of Dance.

As a child I loved optimistic upbeat musical Annie, but it's the one flick I can say I left in my childhood. The Sound of Music, Grease and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers still all have a place in my DVD collection, but Annie isn't anywhere to be seen.

In fact, I wouldn't even leave it on if I stumbled across it while channel surfing.

So, it was with great trepidation that I headed to the Empire for the opening night of Annie.

My four-year-old niece, of course loves the film and loves the theatre, so I decided to pop along. And I have to say I was pleasantly surprised.

Don't get me wrong, it's hardly about to win awards, but it's a great, feel-good family show which does exactly what it says on the tin.

With a score that includes It's the Hard Knock Life, Little Girls, Easy Street, You're Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile and the legendary Tomorrow, you're bound to leave humming a tune.

Su Pollard is hilarious in the role of drunkard Miss Hannigan, and David McAlister is perfect as the slightly scary Oliver Warbucks, as is Simone Craddock as the sweet Grace Farrell.

Lydia Tunstall as orphan Annie pulled some great faces and hit all the right notes along with the rest of Miss Hannigan's troop from the Kathleen Knox School of Dance.

A special mention must go to the ensemble who create a wonderful array of visual choreography and fantastic harmonies. Surprisingly good.

Annie opens with our heroine trapped in a desolate orphanage, eager to escape the hardships she encounters under the control of the sinister Miss Hannigan.

Luckily, her saviour soon appears in the form of the rich, kindly Mr Warbucks who invites her to reside in his home over the Christmas period.

Sadly for Annie, trouble is never far away as Miss Hannigan and her quirky, devious brother plot to capitalise on Annie’s new friendship, allowing for a comical story of hope, optimism and love.

The music and choreography of Annie is fantastically apt, with every segment of every tune working in perfect cohesion with the onstage action.

The upbeat songs were nothing if not enjoyable and the casting for Annie is nothing short of perfection, each actor or actress bringing their own unique identity to the famous characters they so wonderfully portray.

The great Su Pollard manages to attribute a strangely likeable quality to the diabolical Miss Hannigan, and the chemistry between Mr Warbucks and his secretary Grace, played by David McAlister and Simone Craddock respectively, adds a splendid touch of romance to the tale.

Read the full review here.

The story of how a little orphan girl named Annie, with the help of her friends, outsmarts a nasty orphanage manager and finds the family she’s always dreamed of is one that has delighted and enchanted audiences since 1976.

Although based upon a cartoon strip that started life in the Chicago Tribune in the 1920s, it has grown into one of the best-loved tales that has ever been told. From its Broadway beginnings, it was made into a 1982 classic movie starring Carol Burnett and Albert Finney and it has continued to enthral theatre audiences the world over ever since.

This uplifting and shamelessly sentimental show is playing at Sunderland Empire for one week only, starring showbiz legend Su Pollard as the dastardly matron of the New York Municipal Orphanage.

Following on from big-name actresses such as Sheila Hancock, Lesley Joseph, Ruth Madoc and Vicki Michelle, Su relishes the role of Miss Hannigan and gives the character lots of layers. Her vast experience of playing comedic roles stand her in good stead to play the drunken lush and her sensational singing voice is utilised to maximum effect in numbers that include Easy Street and Little Girls. Indeed, Miss Pollard gives a consummate performance that dominates the entire show.

David McAlister co-stars as Oliver Warbucks, the billionaire businessman whose hard heart is melted by the optimism and innocence of the street-wise auburn orphan. His performance is genuine, polished and totally believable. His splendid singing voice is spot-on, too.

Strong supporting performances are given by Simone Craddock as Grace Farrell, James Gavin as Rooster and Sophie McEwan as Lily St Regis and the ensemble – of whom there are more than forty – play a variety of minor roles to great effect.

However, as always, it is the animals and children that seem to upstage everyone else and Lydia Tunstall gives a performance to prove that she is a true star-in-the-making as Annie. The scenes that she shares with the other orphans are real highlights, especially their renditions of It’s The Hard Knock Life and You’re Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile. Annie’s mangy mongrel mate, Sandy, also draws gasps of ‘aahhs’ from the audience and almost threatens to steal the show on occasion.

It is almost impossible not to be won over by this fantastic production – there are great performances, great songs and a great storyline. Leapin’ Lizards, it’s a whole lot of fun!

The sun has come out and is shining on the stage of the Empire, so don’t wait until Tomorrow – book your tickets today.

Ask any aficionado of musical theatre to name their favourite orphan and they’ll probably say either Annie or Oliver Twist. The heart-warming, rags-to-riches tale of the red-headed ragamuffin is playing at Sunderland Empire Theatre all this week and ‘Annie’ certainly charmed and delighted the capacity crowd on press night.

The musical is based on the 1920s American cartoon strip, ‘Little Orphan Annie’, and was also immortalised for the silver screen in a blockbusting movie with a stellar cast that included Carol Burnett, Albert Finney, Ann Reinking, Tim Curry and Bernadette Peters. However, the 1982 film, and a subsequent Disney re-make starring Kathy Bates, Victor Garber and Alan Cumming, have failed to eclipse the enduring popularity of the stage version.

Su Pollard fails to heed the well-known showbiz dictum of not working with children and animals to reprise the role of mean-spirited Miss Agatha Hannigan, the orphanage manager with a penchant for Jack Daniels. This is Miss Pollard’s fourth tour of the production and she has made the role her very own. She follows (or should that be drunkenly staggers?) in the footsteps of actresses including Sheila Hancock, Lesley Joseph, Vicki Michelle and her former ‘Hi-De-Hi’ co-star Ruth Madoc. Su draws on her vast experience as a comedy actress to portray the character as a comedic, and slightly tragic, lonely old lush who is longing for love. Her sensational singing voice is best utilised in her signature song ‘Little Girls’, but is also a highlight in ‘Easy Street’, too. Pollard’s immense stage presence is such that she steals every scene she appears in and is missed in those that she doesn’t. Her scenes with her brother, Rooster (James Gavin), and his girlfriend Lily St Regis (Sophie McEwan) provide many of the best comedy moments of the show.

Read the full review here.

Annie really hits home

It may be the most saccharine musical there is, but Annie’s feel-good factor is infectious.

Classic tunes and excellent performances make this production shine like the top of the Chrysler Building – as Miss Hannigan would say – and it’s hard not to get swept up in its rags-to-riches tale.

Lydia Tunstall takes on the title role of the feisty orphan desperate to find the parents who abandoned her on a New York doorstep – and she wears the red wig well.

Her scenes with fellow street urchins, in which they bounce along to Maybe and It’s A Hard Knock Life, are a highlight of the show and make you realise how good the Annie songs are.

But it is Miss Hannigan who rules the roost and Su Pollard puts in a truly funny turn as the heartless lush out to make a fast buck out of the orphans.

Her scenes with Rooster (James Gavin) had the audience laughing out loud, while their rousing rendition of Easy Street can’t fail to get your toes tapping.

Proving her worth as a comedic actress, Pollard hams it up for Little Girls, a song that’s worth the admission price alone.

The more wistful numbers are equally as good and Annie is note-perfect in the notoriously difficult tune Tomorrow.

Her charm works its magic on Oliver Warbucks, whose frosty exterior is soon melted by the cheery orphan’s eternal optimism.

David McAlister excels in the role as the billionaire turned daddy who brings a little girl’s fairytale to life in depression-hit America.

It is only Sandy the dog – played by Danny the dog – who threatens to outshine their performances with his “Ahhh” factor.

Corny it may be but, like the shaggy dog, this show has the audience eating out of the palm of its hand.

Some musicals come and go in the blink of an eye ("Desperately Seeking Susan", anyone?) Some enjoy moderate success. Some enjoy monumental success and run for years-and-years-and-Les-Mis-years.

A special few, however, become so engrained in to popular culture that not only do they continue to tour over 30 years after their Broadway debut, but can become a hip-hop anthem along the way! In fact, make that just one … Annie.

The night I attended, Lydia Tunstall donned the ginger wig as the eponymous heroine to give a suitably feisty performance as the gutsy orphan desperate to find her parents.

Su Pollard chews up the scenery (and washes it down with a swig of hard liquor) as the child-hating, alcohol sodden Miss Hannigan. It’s a wonderfully dotty performance, showcasing Pollard’s well-known talents as a comic actress. Amongst all the slapstick, however, are also glimpses of a darker side. Not to mention a tremendous singing voice, and she belts out the show’s best song – "Little Girls" – with aplomb.

Once brother Rooster (James Gavin) and his blonde-bombshell girlfriend Lily (Sophie McEwan) appear, there is a comic chemistry between the dastardly trio that really bumps things along.

There is strong support from David McAlister’s Oliver Warbucks. He goes from hard-nosed businessman to would-be Daddy, and his quiet romance with secretary Grace (Simone Craddock) is nicely played.

Read the full review here.

HI-DE-HI star Su just loves dream role in the smash-hit musical Annie

HI-DE-HI actress Su Pollard is set to take to the stage in Hamilton.

Comedienne Su has been cast as the evil Miss Hannigan in a production of the hit musical Annie.
The musical comes to the Townhouse on October 13 for a five-day run.

And earlier this month the 60-year-old television actress visited Hamilton to publicise the show and speak to the Advertiser about her career in show biz.

After declaring her love of the River Clyde, Su said: “We have travelled from Glasgow and it’s marvellous.

“I am so looking forward to working here, I think it is going to be really nice.”

Read the full Su interview here. Carla's recent video interview with Su can be viewed at the 'Hamilton Advertiser' website, here.

The remaining dates for the Annie 2009 UK Tour.

Monday 17th August - Saturday 22nd August: Theatre Royal, Brighton
Tuesday 25th August - Saturday 29th August: Sunderland Empire
Tuesday 1st September - Saturday 5th September: Richmond Theatre
Monday 7th September - Saturday 12th September: Liverpool Empire
Monday 14th September - Saturday 19th September: Theatre Royal, Nottingham
Tuesday 22nd September - Saturday 26th September: Grand Opera House, Belfast
Tuesday 29th September - Saturday 3rd October: Orchard Theatre, Dartford
Tuesday 13th October - Saturday 17th October: Town House, Hamilton
Tuesday 20th October - Saturday 24th October: Festival Theatre, Malvern
Tuesday 27th October - Saturday 31st October: Venue Cymru, Llandudno
Monday 2nd November - Saturday 7th November: Grand Opera House, York
Tuesday 10th November - Saturday 14th November: Millennium Forum, Derry
Tuesday 17th November - Saturday 21st November: Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham

From September 7-12, 2009. Box office: 0844 847 2525

Visit the 'Liverpool Daily Post' website here.

Annie puts hope in your heart during difficult times
Much-loved musical Annie takes on new relevance in these lean times. While we battle the credit crunch, a great deal can be learned from the stock market crash and resulting Depression of the late 1920s and early 1930s – not least America’s approach to rebuilding a nation’s shattered self esteem.

Enter Annie, the optimistic 11-year-old orphan whose sweet songs captivate whoever she meets, from her fellow orphan buddies to millionaire Oliver ‘Daddy’ Warbucks.

It’s no wonder the show is a family favourite, boasting sing-along songs even the most restrained father will love, a sprinkling of comedy, some villains to boo/hiss at and a heart warming twist at the end.

This week’s Hippodrome performance has the added selling power of Su Pollard, who gives a hilarious performance as mean orphanage mistress, the alcoholic Miss Hannigan. Su’s singing was pitch perfect and her comedic gurning really lifted some of the quieter scenes. She kept up well with the choreography, too.

Three girls rotate as Annie. Lydia Tunstal went down a storm on the opening night, prompting laughter and tears from her first song. A real livewire with fantastic tone, she’s certainly one to watch.

James Gavin and Sophie McEwan, as the fraudsters who try to wreck Annie’s new life, also deserve a special mention for some real stand-out numbers. Easy Street has always been a favourite of mine and McEwan’s cancan kicks really brought it to a new level.

Simone Craddock brings a touch of glamour as Thirties siren Grace, while David McAlister succeeded in making Daddy Warbucks a multi-layered hero.

While the Christmas element of the show is a little strange on a warm August evening, the verve and optimism of this production leaves you smiling. The credit crunch doom mongerers and naysayers could learn a lot from Annie and co.

This latest touring version of Annie produced by Chris Moreno is a winning production with the audience.

Annie is the tale of a feisty 11 year old, ginger haired orphan who has spent an unhappy childhood in NYC at the mercy of the alcoholic matron Miss Hannigan.

The opening night played in front of a packed full house in Bristol were enthralled by a strong cast lead by the superbly talented Su Pollard (Miss Halligan).

Lydia Tunstall played orphaned Annie with great confidence and composure and thrilled the audience with her powerful voice particularly with ‘Tomorrow’ which was a big hit with the audience.

David McAlister (Daddy Warbucks) and Simone Craddock (Grace Farrell) his secretary both gave fine vocal performances, created a fabulous rapport with Annie and bought warmth, charm and sophistication to the show. Her dress in the ballroom scene at the Warbucks Mansion was beautiful.

The orphans from the Bristol School of Performing Arts clearly enjoyed their participation in the show being a vibrant and engaging group. Danny the Dog (Sandy) in his eighth tour of Annie is the perfect pet – if only they were like this…

A delightful show with a wonderful cast, super stage sets, a family show that ticks all the boxes leaving you with that feel good factor.

A reviewer once wrote that to dislike Annie would be to dislike motherhood, peanut butter, mongrel dogs and nostalgia!

This rags to riches fairytale is based on the Little Orphan Annie cartoon series, so popular with Americans during the dark days of The Depression.

Indeed some of the lines still hit the mark in these troubled credit crunch times.

Created by playwright Charles Meehan and composer Charles Strouse, it's the sheer determination of the plucky little orphan girl to make the best of every situation which not only inspires New York's homeless but President Roosevelt's Cabinet as well.

First seen on stage in 1970, it was followed by the glossy Hollywood film version which starred Salfordian Albert Finney as the successful billionaire, Daddy Warbucks.

Director Roger Hannah has introduced some additional touches of humour to this stage version and considering this is a touring production, the pruned down, plush sets fly in and out at speed.

The enthusiastic cast is headed by bubbly Su Pollard ( Hi-De-Hi) one of the best Miss Hannigans I've seen. As the alcoholic Matron of the orphanage, the audience loved her quirky sense of fun, David McAlister (Hollyoaks) humanises Daddy Warbucks and has a really good voice whilst Simone Craddock makes a delightful Grace Farrell.

Wigan's own Ellen Gallagher, as Annie, is a good little actress and, after some initial microphone distortion, belts out the big numbers. Unlike some new musicals, there are several memorable songs like Tomorrow, Hard Knock Life, Easy Street and Maybe which you're guaranteed to be humming on the way home.

The relentless jollity of this show may prove too much for some but a tonic for others.

Either way bookings are going well for this uplifting tale of triumph over adversity with a surprise feel-good ending.

Daily Cooks Challenge : ITV1 - Thursday 13th August : 3.00pm
Gino D'Acampo and Jo Pratt compete to impress actress and presenter Su Pollard with their menu of crispy tarragon chicken and calves' liver with rosemary and garlic sauce. Antony Worrall Thompson hosts.

Su Pollard stars as Miss Hannigan, the drunken old crow who runs the orphanage in the musical Annie from August 11 to 15.

The show will kick off at 7.30pm with 2.30pm matinees on Wednesday an Saturday from 2.30pm.

Tickets are between £10 and £26.

Abba Mania will take hold on August 16 from 7.30pm. Tickets are £17.50 or £18.50.

And Letz Zep recreate the music of Led Zeppelin on August 20. Tickets are £17.50.

Milkshake! Perform on August 21 and 22, Alice In Wonderland on August 23, with comedian Bill Bailey from August 24 to 29 and Motown’s Greatest Hits round off the month on August 30.

Tuesday 11th August - Saturday 15th August: Bristol Hippodrome
www.bristolhippodrome.org.uk [ Box Office: 0844 847 2325 ]

FAMED for her flamboyant fashion sense and larger-than-life personality, Su Pollard is one of showbiz’s most colourful characters. STEVE BURBRIDGE caught up with her ahead of her stop-off at the Sunderland Empire to find out what gives her that insatiable zest for life.

‘YOU’LL have to excuse me if I’m a bit verbose, you know what I’m like, I don’t just answer yes or no.’

It’s a little unconventional for an interview to begin with a warning, but unconventional is an adjective that is often associated with the 59-year-old former Hi-De-Hi star.

The actress who made her name as scatter-brained chalet maid and wannabe Yellow Coat Peggy Ollerenshaw, in the award-winning sit-com, is once again starring as Miss Hannigan, the hard-faced, drunken orphanage boss in Annie.

As whacky as ever, Su sparked a sensation earlier this year when she was photographed wearing a denim ra-ra miniskirt, fluffy jacket, pink patterned tights, fluorescent yellow leg-warmers, leopard-print shoes and a studded dog collar.

‘And I was only popping to the shops for a pint of milk!’ she laughed.

Read the full Su interview here.

Su Pollard visits Hamilton

Star of Annie, Singer and comedian Su Pollard is set to play villaness Miss Hannigan at the Hamilton Town House. Carla catches up with Su to talk about her role, her love of the River Clyde and her future plans.

Please click here, or the screenshot, to watch the interview. The interview is also available to watch at You Tube here.

NB: Su has also been interviewed this week by the print edition of the 'Sunderland Echo'. Annie plays the Sunderland Empire at the end of the month. (Thanks to Steve Burbridge)

Tuesday 4th August - Saturday 8th August: Theatre Royal, Glasgow
www.ambassadortickets.com/Theatre-Royal-Glasgow [ Box Office: 0844 871 7627 ]

What's On North East - Annie

The heart-warming rags to riches musical Annie comes to Sunderland Empire for one week only, from the 25 to 29 August and What’s on North East visitors can purchase 2 for 1 opening night tickets or save £5.00 off tickets to this best loved family musical.

Star of stage and screen, Su Pollard (Hi-De-Hi, Gimme Gimme Gimme) reprises her role as the dastardly Miss Hannigan and David McAllistar (Hollyoaks, Eastenders, Mike Bassett TV and Brideshead Revisited) makes a welcome return as the billionaire businessman, Oliver Warbucks.

Click here for further details on this great offer.

Malvern Gazette/Ledbury Reporter - Wealth of Entertainment in Theatre's New Season

Malvern Theatres’ autumn season is one of its most varied yet.

there is this season’s feel-good musical Annie, which with Su Pollard as Miss Hannigan is sure to be a riotous evening of great lines, good music and plenty of family fun.

For more information, including dates and ticket prices, call the box office on 01684 892277 or log onto malvern-theatres.co.uk.

Daily Cooks Challenge : ITV1 - Thursday 13th August : 3.00pm
Gino D'Acampo and Jo Pratt compete to impress actress and presenter Su Pollard with their menu of crispy tarragon chicken and calves' liver with rosemary and garlic sauce. Antony Worrall Thompson hosts.

This will be available to view online, via the ITV Player at www.itv.com, immediately after it airs.