YORK actress Agatha Meehan is playing the title role in the West End production of Annie at the Piccadilly Theatre, London, from this week to its conclusion on February 18.
Agatha, aged ten, from Kelfield, near York, is one of three Annies over the closing weeks of the run, sharing performances with Ruby Stokes, 13, from Hampshire, and Isobel Khan, 11, from Wakefield.
York actress Agatha Meehan as Summer Hathaway in School Of Rock – The Musical at New London Theatre in 2017. Picture: Terry Lee
Only last year, the St George's RC School pupil starred in another London show, playing band manager Summer Hathaway in School Of Rock –The Musical at the New London Theatre, Drury Lane.
Directed by North Yorkshireman Nikolai Foster, Annie is set in 1930s' New York during the Great Depression, where brave young Annie is forced to live a life of misery and torment at Miss Hannigan’s orphanage.
Agatha Meehan as Annie on the West End stage
Her luck changes when she is chosen to spend Christmas at the residence of famous billionaire, Oliver Warbucks. Meanwhile, spiteful Miss Hannigan has other ideas and hatches a plan to spoil Annie’s search for her true family.
Foster's production can be seen at 7.30pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and at 3pm on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets are on sale on 0844 871 7630.
The Press asks; Agatha answers
This is your second West End role in quick succession, the first being in School Of Rock – The Musical. How do the two experiences compare, Agatha?
"Playing Summer in School Of Rock was my first big professional role and it was really good fun to be in something so new and exciting. Annie is a very well known musical and it's an amazing role to play. I also get to do more singing and dancing."
"I have always wanted to play Annie so it is a dream come true for me," says Agatha Meehan
What do you enjoy most about playing Annie?
"I love all of it, especially the scenes with Sandy the dog as I love animals."
Do you get nervous thinking about performing on a West End stage?
"Not really. I just look forward to it!"
How is your school work going?!
"It's going really well. My school are very supportive of my performing and give me school work to do whilst I am in London."
Alex Bourne's Daddy Warbucks and Agatha Meehan's Annie in Annie
What’s next for you on stage?
"I don't know yet but I am excited to see what other roles I will be able to audition for."
Which role would you most love to play?
"Well, I have always wanted to play Annie so it is a dream come true for me."
Will you be doing any school plays in York this year?
"Year 6 always do a leavers' play at the end of the summer term, so I am excited about that!"
Annie runs at the Piccadilly Theatre, London until February 18. Box office: 0844 871 7630; AnnieWestEnd.com
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