Famous as Dorien Green in BBC’s Birds of a Feather, Lesley Joseph is taking on another big character in the shape of little orphan Annie’s nemesis – Miss Hannigan. It may be a musical but it’s not all singing and dancing.

Is the musical Annie anything like either of the films?

I haven’t seen either of them, but I can tell you it’s nothing like the latest film, which was set in present-day New York. Our version set in the Depression, and it’s very much about the Depression; it’s a tough life.

As it’s a musical, do you have to do much singing and dancing?

Well, I do dance, but it isn’t really proper dancing. I wiggle my legs a bit!

What do you think of the character you’re playing, Miss Hannigan?

It’s one of those characters we love to hate. But she is genuinely afraid of losing her job and the orphans need to have a home. There’s a mutual need between them. There is a dark under-belly to the character which I love. It is quite surreal. I try to play her with some of the darkness.

You’ve just appeared back on our TV screens in a new series of Birds of a Feather. How was it filming that again?

It’s wonderful to be back together. It was really fun to film. We are like family now with each other. I think it is the best ever series. Watch it. It’s really, really good. We are very proud of it!

You will only have had a few weeks after panto before you start on this tour. Do you plan to slow down any time soon?

It’s just the way it works. If there’s work that comes up and it’s worth doing, you do it. And no I don’t plan to slow down!

You recently starred in ITV’s Flockstars (which was filmed in Kent and also starred kmfm DJ Tony Blackburn). You’re quite a private person – would you do any other reality shows?

I loved the people and the dogs are such amazing animals. We had an absolute ball filming that. And ah, my beautiful dog Gyp. It was a great fun job, it really was. I’m not sure I’d do anything like Big Brother or Strictly, though. Flockstars was special because it was a bit different. I am quite private and I don’t think people need to know about my personal life to appreciate the characters I play.

THE SHOW

Best known for the hugely successful sitcom Birds of a Feather, playing alongside Pauline Quirke and Linda Robson, Lesley is no stranger to the stage, with touring credits including Calendar Girls and Hot Flush.

Annie includes the unforgettable songs It’s the Hard Knock Life, Easy Street, I Don’t Need Anything But You and Tomorrow. Set in 1930s New York during the Great Depression, brave young Annie is 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 with the famous billionaire, Oliver Warbucks. But Miss Hannigan hatches a plan to spoil Annie’s search.

She is joined in the cast by Alex Bourne as Warbucks, Holly Dale Spencer as Grace Farrell, Jonny Fines as Rooster and Djalenga Scott as Lily.

DETAILS

Lesley will star in Annie at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury from Monday, May 23 to Saturday, May 28. For tickets call 01227 787787 or visit www.marlowetheatre.com