If you have been waiting for a family night out that actually works for everyone from five upwards, Annie is the obvious place to look this season. The world's best-loved family musical, and a smash-hit West End production in its own right, is back on the road with a new UK and Ireland tour that opened in May, and Southampton is firmly on the itinerary.
Every week we pick 🏆 the 5 best 🏆 things to do in Southampton and send them to your inbox. Just one weekly email, no spam.
By submitting your email, you accept our Privacy Policy
The story is the one you know: 1930s New York, a strict orphanage, and a spunky girl with a lot of heart. The book and score have picked up a Tony award, and the songs are the ones that stick with you long after the curtain falls: 'It's The Hard-Knock Life', 'Easy Street', 'I Don't Need Anything But You' and, of course, 'Tomorrow'. It is a show built on big numbers and a simple, enduring story, which is a good part of why it lands so well with families.
The name to know this time around is Claire Sweeney, who takes on the role of the tyrannical Miss Hannigan. Sweeney, born in Walton, Liverpool in 1971, is a familiar face to anyone who follows British theatre and television, and she brings a real presence to the show's villain. It is worth noting, as with any touring production, that the producers may make alterations to the published cast for any reason and cannot guarantee the appearance of any named artist, so it is always sensible to check before you book.
A few things are worth flagging before you bring the younger ones. The show is suitable for ages five and up, but it does not shy away from its darker moments: there are scenes set in a strict orphanage, emotional themes around lost parents, and a fair amount of mild villainous behaviour from Miss Hannigan, so a bit of parental guidance may be needed for the smallest members of the group. On the technical side, the production makes use of repetitive flashing lights, visual effects, theatrical smoke and haze, which is something to keep in mind if anyone in your party is sensitive to them.
On the practical front, there are a couple of ways to make the night a bit easier on the wallet. Group bookings of ten or more can be requested online or by calling 020 7206 1174, and there is a Little Brat Summer offer that gives kids half-price on selected seats and performances, provided you book by 1 September 2026 to save. The tour is produced by Crossroads Live, and while the Southampton stop is part of a wider run that takes in Bristol, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Stoke, Woking, Oxford, Sunderland and Glasgow, it is the local dates that will matter most to you.
If you are planning your autumn, it is worth knowing where Annie fits in. The tour continues past Southampton, with stops at the Bristol Hippodrome in mid-August, the Edinburgh Playhouse in mid-September, and the Liverpool Empire later that month, before heading to Stoke, Woking, Oxford, Sunderland and Glasgow well into 2027. For a city with a strong theatre tradition, a production like this is exactly the kind of family-friendly highlight that rounds out a cultural season, so it is one to keep on your radar.
Published Date
12 August 2026
More information
