Iconic musical Annie is returning to the stage in Manchester next summer

One of the most iconic musical productions of the 21st century will be heading out on a tour of the UK and Ireland next year.

And of course, an iconic musical will be taking to an iconic Manchester stage.

Renowned theatre producers Michael Harrison and David Ian are ‘delighted’ to announce that their smash-hit production of the musical Annie is being revived for 2026 and 2027, and will be embarking on a huge UK-wide tour, stopping off at some major cities in the process.

Unfamiliar with the musical Annie? Yet to see it on stage? Or haven’t been able to watch the beloved 1982 film of the same name? Let us fill you in.

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 – but her luck soon changes when she’s chosen to spend a fairytale Christmas with famous billionaire, Oliver Warbucks.

Meanwhile, spiteful Miss Hannigan has other ideas and hatches a plan to spoil Annie’s search for her true family.

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➕ ATG+ PRESALE ➕

The smash hit West End production of ANNIE, the world’s favourite family musical,
returns to Manchester for 2 weeks only.

Groups presale 👉 Today 12pm
General sale 👉 Friday 12 Sep 10am

📅 Tue 9 Jun – Sat 20 Jun 2026
🎟️ https://t.co/wuomEyCUBf pic.twitter.com/PWganBK2XQ

— Palace & Opera Mcr (@PalaceAndOpera) September 11, 2025

Based on the 1924 comic strip, Little Orphan Annie by Harold Grey – which, in turn, was inspired from the poem, Little Orphant Annie by James Whitcomb Riley – Annie the musical originally debuted on Broadway in 1977 where it ran for nearly six years, before eventually spawning numerous productions in countless other countries, as well as national tours.

Over the last four decades, Annie the musical has won seven Tony Awards, including for Best Musical, and a wide variety of other accolades.

The songs ‘Tomorrow’ and ‘It’s the Hard Knock Life’ are among its most popular and well-known musical numbers.

Read more:

• ‘Pioneering’ immersive theatre productions to take place inside shipping containers across Greater Manchester
• Legendary stage musical Mamma Mia! is coming back to Manchester next year
• World-renowned Matilda The Musical is coming to Manchester on its major UK tour

Annie the musical will be taking to the Manchester Palace Theatre stage from Tuesday 9 – Saturday 20 June 2026, with the tour continuing right through to mid-March 2027, and even more locations yet to be announced.

Tickets for the show are officially now on sale, and you can get your hands on them here.

Featured Image – Matt Crockett (Supplied)