For Immediate Release

BEST- LOVED BROADWAY MUSICAL ANNIE THRILLS HONG KONG

Hong Kong (31 May 2012) One of the best-loved family musicals of all time, ANNIE, opens in Hong Kong today for a limited run, through 24 June 2012, at the Lyric Theatre, Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts.

This legendary Broadway and West End hit comes to Hong Kong direct from a highly successful UK tour, and features a cast and company of 52, including the ever-popular British comedy star Su Pollard as the scheming gin-soaked Miss Hannigan, and UK stage and screen veteran David McAlister as Oliver Warbucks, whose heart is softened by the young orphan Annie, played alternately by three talented young actresses from the UK.

Members of the media attending a Press Preview earlier today were charmed by the show’s cast, including several of Hong Kong’s talented young actresses, ranging in age from seven to 13, who were chosen from a pool of 250 hopefuls for the coveted roles of Annie’s fellow orphans at the New York City Municipal Orphanage. During the preview, the cast performed three songs, including A New Deal for Christmas, Easy Street and It's The Hard-Knock Life.

“ANNIE is one of the major productions Lunchbox is bringing to Hong Kong in the Year of the Dragon,” says Producer James Cundall, Chief Executive of Lunchbox Theatrical Productions. “I am absolutely delighted to be able to bring not only such a legendary Broadway musical to this city, but a cast of such caliber as well. Many of them have never been to Hong Kong before and are hugely excited to be in this vibrant city. I’m sure local audiences will give them a very warm welcome.”

“And of course to be able to give 28 of Hong Kong’s budding young actresses the opportunity to perform in one of the most popular family musicals is very gratifying. They will have a wonderful time with this cast,” Mr Cundall added.

“ANNIE is a timeless musical, and although it is set in the Great Depression of the 1930s its heart-warming story of hope and optimism remains very relevant in our current economic climate,” says Mr Cundall.

The show boasts one of Broadway’s most memorable scores, with favourites such as Tomorrow, It’s The Hard Knock Life, Easy Street and You’re Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile. Plus there’s fantastic choreography, a hilarious yet heart-warming script and, of course, the adorable dog Sandy.

“A musical that tugs at your heartstrings” The Times, UK

ANNIE press release Page Two

Su Pollard is best known for her brilliantly funny portrayal of Peggy in the hit BBC TV series Hi-de-Hi! The BAFTA Award-winning comedy was a prime time favourite on UK television for eight years in the 1980s, turning its cast into household names, and is still frequently repeated on TV channels around the world as a ‘classic’ sit-com. As well as countless other TV roles, Su has appeared in numerous musicals and plays in London’s West End (Godspell, Me and My Girl, Shout!) and around the UK (Grease, Little Shop of Horrors), and has performed her own cabaret show The Su Pollard Show on a UK tour, in New York City and on board the QEII cruise liner. Most recently Su has been performing the role of Miss Hannigan to great acclaim in the UK, and in 2010 was nominated for Best Leading Lady in a musical for her portrayal.

David McAlister has enjoyed success in nearly every area of the entertainment industry from opera at Covent Garden (Franco Zefferelli’s Pagliacci) to his own cabaret show at London’s Ritz Hotel; from TV comedy (Harry Enfield & Chums) to TV classics (Brideshead Revisited); from radio drama (The Archers, The Lord of the Rings) to TV drama (The Bill, Miss Marple, Doctor Who); from film (Who Dares Wins) to the hugely popular British TV soaps including Eastenders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks, for which he was nominated Best Villain.

His West End performances include the lead role in The Mousetrap, A Month in the Country with Ingrid Bergman, The Sound of Music and the lead role of Noel Coward opposite Joanna Lumley in Noel & Gertie at London’s famous King’s Head Theatre. He has a vast array of regional UK theatre credits, and since his first acclaimed performance in the role of Daddy Warbucks in 2007, David has now completed five nationwide tours of ANNIE.

“An irresistible show” The Daily Telegraph, UK

Inspired by the famous comic strip Little Orphan Annie which first ran in the New York News in 1924, this uplifting rags-to-riches story of plucky young Annie’s journey from the hard-knock New York orphanage to the luxurious home of billionaire businessman Oliver Warbucks, has become one of the best-loved family musicals of all time.

ANNIE made its Broadway debut in April 1977 and played 2,377 performances before closing in 1983. The show dominated the Tony Awards that year, winning seven awards in total including Best Musical, Best Book (Thomas Meehan), Best Original Score (music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Martin Charnin), and Best Choreography. The classic film musical was released in 1982.

Fifty million people of all ages have been delighted by two Broadway runs of ANNIE, two Australian tours, two West End stints, five National U.S. companies, two hit movies and dozens of international productions, playing seasons all over the world. This UK production of ANNIE has been seen by over 3 million people during the last 10 years of touring to every major city in Great Britain.

Now, 35 years after its Broadway debut, the timeless tale of Little Orphan Annie is back, giving a whole new generation the chance to experience a classic musical about never giving up hope. ANNIE is a delightful theatrical experience for any age.

ANNIE plays from 31 May to 24 June 2012, and is presented in Hong Kong by Lunchbox Theatrical Productions Limited, in association with Playhouse Productions Limited.

“One of the most enchanting musicals I have ever seen” Sunday Times, UK

ANNIE press release Page Three

ANNIE Date: 31 May – 24 June 2012 Venue: Lyric Theatre, The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts

VIP A Reserve B Reserve C Reserve Tue - Thu Evening - 7:30 pm $850 $750 $550 $350

Fri & Sat Evening - 7:30 pm $950 $850 $595 $395

Sun Evening - 7:00 pm $850 $750 $550 $350

Sat & Sun Matinee - 2:00 pm $850 $750 $550 $350 *Extra show: Friday, 8 June - 4pm

Ticket prices are exclusive of HK Ticketing booking fees.

Ticketing Information

Tickets priced from HK$350 to HK$950 are available now by calling or visiting the following hotline, site or outlets:

- HK Ticketing hotline: 31 288 288 - HK Ticketing website: www.hkticketing.com - HK Ticketing outlets: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, AsiaWorld-Expo, Hong Kong Fringe Club, Kowloonbay International Trade & Exhibition Centre, The Academy’s Landmark Heritage Campus-Bethanie and all Tom Lee Music outlets.

For more information, visit www.lunchbox-productions.com.

Official Hotel: Grand Hyatt Hong Kong Official Ocean Carrier: OOCL Official Media Partner: South China Morning Post Official Radio: Digital Broadcasting Corporation Hong Kong Limited Official Outdoor Media: CONVEY

Special thanks: Dog trainer - iPETchannel.com Ltd.

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The above press release is issued by Lunchbox Theatrical Productions Ltd. through PRO Marketing Services Company Limited

To download images, press material and information on ANNIE, please visit: http://www.propublicity.com/ProMWeb/public/News.aspx

For further Information and interview requests, please contact: PRO Marketing Services Company Limited Catherine Cheung & Carolyn Yip Ph: (852) 2851 1482 Mob: (852) 9466 4743 Email: [email protected]