ANITA Dobson will star as Miss Hannigan when the family musical Annie returns to the Alhambra Theatre.

The production, which recently had an extended season in the West End following a sell-out UK tour, will be in Bradford from April 22 to 27.

As Angie Watts in EastEnders, Anita Dobson created one of the most popular characters in television, winning numerous awards.

Her West End theatre credits include ‘Madame Morrible’ in Wicked, ‘Mama Morton’ in Chicago, ‘Mrs Meers’ in Thoroughly Modern Mille, ‘Chris’ in Calendar Girls, ‘Joan Crawford’ in Bette and Joan and ‘Nancy’ in Frozen at the National Theatre, for which she was nominated for an Olivier, Evening Standard and London Critics Award.

Her film credits include London Road.

Set in 1930s New York during The Great Depression, Annie focuses on a brave young girl forced to live a life of misery and torment at Miss Hannigan’s orphanage.

Determined to find her real parents, her luck changes when she is chosen to spend Christmas at the residence of famous billionaire, Oliver Warbucks.

Spiteful Miss Hannigan has other ideas and hatches a plan to spoil Annie’s search.

The show features songs like ‘It’s the Hard Knock Life’, ‘Easy Street’, ‘I Don’t Need Anything But You’ and ‘Tomorrow’.

Also coming up at the Alhambra in 2019 will be Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage, a musical version of the popular 1980s movie featuring 35 hit songs, from January 28 to February 2.

Feelgood comedy musical Club Tropicana, featuring pop anthems from the 1980s, will be at the Alhambra from February 4 to 9.

Visit bradford-theatres.co.uk or call 01274 432000 to book tickets.