SuRie who represented the UK in the
Eurovision Song Contest in 2018
will star as Annie Oakley in Irving Berlin’s classic musical
‘Annie Get Your Gun’
at the stunning new open-air Lavender Theatre
sited on a lavender farm in Surrey
SuRie, who was famously interrupted by a rogue stage invasion during the Eurovision live final, said: “Ever since my first encounter with Annie Oakley during my time at The Royal Academy of Music it’s been a dream to play that strong character with her fabulous, self-deprecating sense of humour. It is that same down-to-earth humour that got me through my own Wild West adventure that was the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest. This time, however, watch out; the girl is armed..!”
Across 2 albums, 1 EP and multiple singles, SuRie has amassed over 6 million sales, streams and downloads for her music, and has performed in concert venues and to arena crowds all over the world. Her performance in Lisbon’s Altice Arena was broadcast to an audience of 180 million when representing the UK at the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest. SuRie’s forthcoming studio album ‘Building A Woman’ is to be released on 14 May, followed by a string of live dates across the UK with her new show ‘Cover/Me’, before she saddles up for ‘Annie Get Your Gun’ at the Lavender Theatre this summer.
Emily Fletcher, Irving Berlin’s granddaughter, said today: “I’m thrilled that, as part of the 135th celebrations of my grandfather’s birthday, there is a new cast announced for the latest UK production of ‘Annie Get Your Gun!’ It is wonderful that theatres around the world keep his legacy alive through reviving his iconic characters and timeless songs, including two of my favourites ‘I Got Lost in His Arms’ and ‘Moonshine Lullaby’.
Featuring a glittering score of Irving Berlin’s best-loved songs, ‘Annie Get Your Gun’ proves There’s No Business Like Show Business in all-singing, all-dancing, gun-toting glory! Director/choreographer Simon Hardwick will bring the story to life in 2023 with a raw and kinetic staging evoking the energy of Buffalo Bill’s original touring celebrations of the Wild West.
It will run at the 250-seat open air theatre Lavender Theatre from 17 July – 5 August.
Leading the cast are SuRie as Annie Oakley, Charlie McCullagh (‘Bonnie & Clyde’, ‘Dr. Zhivago’, ‘42 Balloons’) as Frank Butler, Chlöe Hart (Catherine of Aragon in the national tour of ‘Six’, ‘Evita’, ‘Kinky Boots’) as Dolly Tate and Elliot Broadfoot, a 2023 graduate from Leeds Conservatoire making his professional debut as Buffalo Bill.
The rest of the company features Nina Bell (‘Dr. Suess’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas’, ‘Matilda’, UK & Ireland Tour), Joe Boyle (‘Top Hat’, ‘Heathers’), Kyerron Dixon-Bassey (‘From Here To Eternity)’, Jay Faisca (‘Henry VI: Days of Rebellion’), Marisa Harris (‘Yeast Nation’, ‘Tony! The Tony Blair Rock Opera’), Holly Lawrence (‘Grease’, Royal Caribbean), AJ Lewis (‘Mandela’, ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’), and Joseph Vella (‘Gypsy’, ‘From Here To Eternity’).
Playing Annie’s younger siblings are Olivia Ainsworth, Mayah Balcerak, Layla Duke, Mahlie Duval, Poppy LeRougetel, and Caitlin Muggeridge.
Creative team:
Director/Choreographer Simon Hardwick (‘My Fair Lady’)
Associate Director and Choreographer Maria Graciano (‘Moulin Rouge’)
Musical Supervisor Matthew Spalding (‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’, ‘Singin’ In The Rain’)
Musical Director Debbi Clarke (‘Stranger Sings’, ‘DIVA: Live From Hell!’)
Casting Danielle Tarento
Produced by Lavender Theatre Artistic Director Joe McNeice for Lavender Productions Ltd
LAVENDER THEATRE
Just a stone’s throw from London and set amidst rolling lavender fields, the Lavender Theatre will open for its inaugural summer season this July in Epsom. The 250-seat open air theatre will be home for an annual season of plays and musicals with a truly elegant backdrop. Based at Mayfield Lavender in Surrey, the theatre has been co-founded by director Joe McNeice and Mayfield owner Brendan Maye. The launch of the theatre will see the completion of a £2m+ investment into the Epsom site, which already boasts a coffee bar, shop, and a full service glasshouse restaurant due to open alongside the theatre this summer. Audiences will be able dine in a glass house restaurant underneath Mediterranean citrus trees, or grab a picnic to enjoy among the blossoming rows of lavender as the sun begins to set, before taking their seats in our covered auditorium to watch a show under the stars. It promises to be a truly special experience.
LISTINGS INFO
Annie Get Your Gun
Music and Lyrics by Irving Berlin
Original Book by Herbert Fields and
Dorothy Fields|
As Revised by Peter Stone
Monday 17 July to Saturday 5 August.
Evening performances at 19:30
Monday – Saturday
matinee performances at 14:30
on Wednesdays and Saturdays
There are 2 press performances:
Friday 21 July
and Saturday 22 July (matinee)
Tickets:
£35 – £65, plus £2 transaction fee for online bookings. No transaction fee is charged for customers who book in person at Mayfield Lavender, 139 Reigate Road, Epsom
KT17 3DW, or from Epsom Playhouse.
Tickets are available at £28 for full time students and under 14s for Monday-Friday performances. ID will be required upon arrival at the theatre to prove eligibility for the Under 14s/Students rate. Transaction fee applies to Under 14s/Students rate bookings made online.
Accessible tickets are available. Please contact [email protected]
to discuss making an access booking.
Preview performances (17 – 20 July) are priced from £33 – £63, plus £2 transaction fee for online bookings
SOCIAL MEDIA
Twitter – @lavtheatre
Instagram – @thelavendertheatre
Facebook.com/lavendertheatre
Annie Get Your Gun is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd. www.concordtheatricals.co.uk
HOW TO GET TO LAVENDER THEATRE
Easily accessible via car, train, and bus, the Lavender Theatre is situated within Mayfield Lavender at 139 Reigate Road in Epsom.
Trains run every 30 minutes from London Victoria to and from Epsom Downs station (Zone 6). TfL contactless and Oyster payments are accepted.
The theatre is a 7-minute walk from the station.
The 166 bus from West Croydon stops on Reigate Road, approximately 200ft away from the theatre entrance gates.
The Lavender Theatre is equipped with off-road car parking spaces, though we encourage local visitors to walk or cycle to the theatre.