Photo Flash: First Look at Craig Revel Horwood as Miss Hannigan in ANNIE UK Tour

Michael Harrison and David Ian have announced a brand new production of the musical "ANNIE" starring Craig Revel Horwood as 'Miss Hannigan'. "ANNIE" will open on Saturday 11 July 2015 at the Theatre Royal, Newcastle before embarking on a year-long tour.

Set in 1930s New York during The Great Depression, brave young Annie is forced to live a life of misery and torment at Miss Hannigan's orphanage. Determined to find her real parents, her luck changes when she is chosen to spend Christmas at the residence of famous billionaire, Oliver Warbucks. Spiteful Miss Hannigan has other ideas and hatches a plan to spoil Annie's search...

With its award-winning book and score, this stunning new production includes the unforgettable songs 'It's the Hard Knock Life', 'Easy Street', 'I Don't Need Anything But You' and 'Tomorrow'.

Craig Revel Horwood is probably best known as a judge on BBC One's Strictly Come Dancing. His West End Theatre credits include: 'Munkustrap' in "Cats" at the New London Theatre, "Miss Saigon" at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane and 'Harry' in "Crazy for You" at the Prince Edward Theatre which took him to the US and Germany before re-creating the show for Susan Stroman in South Africa. Other theatre credits in his native Australia include: "West Side Story", the Australian and New Zealand tour of "The Danny La Rue Show"; "La Cage Aux Folles"; "Me and My Girl" and 'Norman' in the hit comedy play "Ladies Night".

"ANNIE" will be directed by Nikolai Foster. Recently named as the new artistic director at Curve in Leicester; his most recent theatre credits include: "Calamity Jane", "The Witches of Eastwick" and the 20th Anniversary production of Jonathan Harvey's "Beautiful Thing" in the West End.

Photos by Hugo Glendinning

Craig Revel Horwood

Craig Revel Horwood

Craig Revel Horwood

Craig Revel Horwood & ANNIE Cast