Francesca Annis Joins Crucible's COMPANY; Set to Begin 11/29

The Daily Mail today reports that Francesca Annis has been cast as Joanne in COMPANY at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield from November 29.

Annis is best known for her film and television roles, from 1967's Great Expectations to 2007's Cranford. On stage, Annis has played many leading roles with the Royal Shakespeare Company, including Luciana in Trevor Nunn's musical adaptation of The Comedy of Errors. Annis returned to the stage in April 2009 to star as Mrs. Conway in Rupert Goold's National Theatre revival of J. B. Priestley's Time and the Conways; however, Company would mark her return to musicals.

She joins the previously announced Daniel Evans (a 2008 Tony Award nominee for SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE) as Bobby, as well as Samantha Spiro, Lucy Montgomery, Ian Gelder, Anna-Jane Casey, Kelly Price, David Birrell, Rosalie Craig, Steven Cree, Claire Price, Alistair Robins and Samantha Seager.

COMPANY's director, Jonathan Munby, sang the praises of his Joanne. "It was just the three of us around the piano. She sang Ladies Who Lunch and I got goosebumps," he told The Daily Mail.

The piece is also set to feature a couple of major set pieces choreographed by Lynne Page. "Movement will be very strong and physical," Munby said. "I'm not sure it works if you move it from 1970." Munby also added that the production would have new orchestrations and a new design concept by Christopher Oram.

Read the Daily Mail article here.