REVIEW: Annie brings sunshine, laughter and pure theatrical joy to Stoke-on-Trent's Regent Theatre

The sun has certainly come out at Hanley’s Regent Theatre, and in our review of the much-loved musical Annie, we discover a fabulous production bursting with colour, laughter, emotion and unforgettable music that captivates audiences from start to finish.

THE SIGNAL BRIEF

What’s new: The smash-hit West End production of Annie is at The Regent Theatre in Hanley from Tuesday 13 to Sunday 18 October 2026, with Claire Sweeney starring as Miss Hannigan.

Why it matters: This colourful touring production brings together comedy, emotion, familiar songs and energetic staging for a show that keeps its audience captivated from beginning to end.

Worth knowing: The Staffordshire Signal attended as a guest of The Regent Theatre / ATG. Our review is independent.

Running from Tuesday 13 to Sunday 18 October, the smash-hit West End production is back on the road for a new UK and Ireland tour, with Claire Sweeney taking on the role of the wonderfully wicked Miss Hannigan.

And what a treat it is.

From the moment the curtain rises, this is a production that demands your attention. Bright, energetic and wonderfully entertaining throughout, there is barely a moment when you can take your eyes off the stage.

Set against the backdrop of 1930s New York during the Great Depression, Annie tells the story of a spirited young orphan who refuses to let her difficult circumstances dampen her optimism.

Living under the watchful eye of the cruel, gin-loving Miss Hannigan, Annie dreams of being reunited with her parents and escaping the miserable existence she shares with the other children at the orphanage.

Everything changes when she is invited to spend Christmas with billionaire Oliver Warbucks, setting in motion a story filled with laughter, friendship, mischief and the search for a place to call home.

What makes this production particularly special is the way it draws the audience into every moment of the story.

Laughter, sadness and sheer joy are shared between the stage and the auditorium, creating a wonderful atmosphere where the emotions of the characters seem to ripple through the theatre.

One moment you are laughing at the outrageous antics of Miss Hannigan, and the next you find yourself moved by Annie's longing for the family she has never known.

It is this emotional connection that makes Annie so much more than just a collection of familiar songs.

Claire Sweeney is a delight as Miss Hannigan, embracing the character's larger-than-life personality and providing plenty of comic moments. The character is one of musical theatre's most entertaining villains, and her bitterness, desperation and outrageous behaviour bring a wonderfully mischievous energy to the story.

Of course, Annie would not be Annie without its extraordinary soundtrack.

From the energetic It's the Hard-Knock Life to the uplifting Tomorrow, the musical is packed with songs that have become firmly embedded in popular culture.

The musical numbers, choreography and colourful staging combine to create a production that feels alive from beginning to end.

There is so much happening on stage, yet it never feels overwhelming. Instead, every scene offers something new to enjoy, whether it is a wonderfully timed comic moment, an emotional exchange or another burst of music and movement.

But perhaps the greatest achievement is how effortlessly it moves between emotions.

There are moments of genuine sadness, plenty of laughter and an overwhelming sense of joy that runs throughout the performance. The audience is taken along on every twist and turn, sharing in Annie's hopes, disappointments and triumphs.

It is a fabulous example of everything that makes live theatre so special. That shared experience between performers and audience, where the outside world disappears for a couple of hours and everyone becomes completely absorbed in the story unfolding before them.

At the heart of it all is a message that remains just as relevant today as it was when Annie first appeared on stage.

Family is not always defined by blood, kindness can change lives and even in the most difficult circumstances, hope can make all the difference.

Annie is the sort of production that reminds you why musical theatre continues to capture hearts across generations.

It is bright, funny, moving and endlessly entertaining, with enough energy and charm to keep audiences captivated from the opening number to the final curtain.

A truly fabulous production that delivers laughter, sadness and joy in equal measure. Annie is a wonderful night at the theatre and an absolute treat for Stoke-on-Trent audiences.

Annie is at the Regent Theatre, Piccadilly, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, from Tuesday 13 to Sunday 18 October 2026.

Tickets and further information are available from ATG Tickets.

The Staffordshire Signal attended as a guest of [The Regent Theatre / ATG]. Our review is independent.

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