Music and Lyrics by Irving Berlin
Original Book by Herbert and Dorothy Fields
As Revised by Peter Stone
LAVENDER THEATRE, EPSOM (2023)
PRODUCER
The Broadway classic, Annie Get Your Gun, tells the story of sharpshooter Annie Oakley, who joins Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show and falls in love with fellow marksman Frank Butler. Their romance is tested by rivalry, pride, and competition, as Annie’s talent threatens Frank’s ego. Featuring iconic songs like “There’s No Business Like Show Business” and “Anything You Can Do (I Can Do Better),” the show blends comedy, romance, and spectacle while celebrating Annie’s rise from humble roots to stardom.​
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In 2023, I founded Lavender Productions Ltd. to launch the 250-seat open air Lavender Theatre in Epsom, a project that WhatsOnStage heralded as “cause for full on rejoicing.”
I opened the venue with a revival of Irving Berlin’s Annie Get Your Gun starring EuroVision’s SuRie, who went on to win the 2024 Offie Award for Lead Performance in a Musical for her portrayal of Annie Oakley.
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Directed and choreographed by Simon Hardwick, our production of Annie Get Your Gun marked the first time the show had been performed professionally in the London area since the 2009 Young Vic revival.
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All That Dazzles​​
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The Stage​
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WhatsOnStage​
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PRODUCTION PHOTOS
Creatives
Music and Lyrics - Irving Berlin
Original Book - Herbert and Dorothy Fields
Revised Book - Peter Stone
Director and Choreographer - Simon Hardwick
Musical Supervisor - Matthew Spalding
Young Company Director - Anna Hale
Musical Director - Debbi Clarke
Casting Director - Danielle Tarento
Lighting Designer - Adam King
Sound Designer - Max Alexander-Taylor
Sound Number 1 - Jocelyn Chen
Company Stage Manager - Kathleen Hefferon
Stage Manager - Nicola Darke
Assistant Stage Manager and Wardrobe Supervisor - Jennai Cox
Bass - Annie Blake
Percussion - Jacob Slade
Guitar and Banjo - Gregory Franz
Violin - Jade Cuthbert
Trumpet - Emily Ashby
Reeds - Jemma Love
Production Sound Engineer - Richard Carter
Production Electrician - Jake Rowe
PR - Kevin Wilson PR
The set was designed in collaboration between Joe McNeice and Simon Hardwick.
Produced by Joe McNeice for Lavender Productions Ltd.
For Lavender Productions:
Joe McNeice, Brendan Maye and Jonathan Muir.
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Cast
Annie Oakley - SuRie
Frank Butler - Charlie McCullagh
Dolly Tate - Chlöe Hart
Buffalo Bill - Elliot Broadfoot
Winnie Tate - Nina Bell
Charlie Davenport - Joe Boyle
Ensemble - Kyerron Dixon-Bassey
Chief Sitting Bull - Jay Faisca
Ensemble - Marisa Harris
Ensemble - Holly Lawrence
Foster Wilson - AJ Lewis
Tommy Keeler - Joe Vella
Young Company
Olivia Ainsworth, Mayah Balcerak, Layla Duke, Mahlie Duval, Poppy LeRougetel, and Caitlin Muggeridge.
"The lavender-filled fields of the Mayfield Lavender farm echoed with a thunderous ovation, as that Berlin classic “There’s no business like show business” was performed by a young professional cast on the opening night of Annie Get Your Gun at the brand-new outdoor Lavender Theatre built in its grounds, produced by Joe McNeice, who has come on board to establish it.
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The theatre is its own star attraction, offering seating for 200 in five long rows that brings everyone close to the action; the stage is open to the skies, but the audience is covered. The show is the perfect curtain raiser to a venue that I hope becomes a summer fixture."
MARK SHENTON
