She's surrounded by little girls, but don't be fooled by them telling her "We love you, Miss Hannigan."

Actress Lesley Joseph is set to step on stage at the Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury, ready to make little girls quake in their worn-down boots, as the female villain in Annie the musical.

The Birds of a Feather star takes over in the show from Craig Revel Horwood, having played the part in 2015/16 - but don't expect her Miss Hannigan to be anything like his. So just how mean is her version, on a scale of one to 10?

"I would say about seven to seven and a half! She’s mean, and probably a lot meaner than some people play her because I play her more mean than funny, because that’s my instinct. It is definitely more fun to play mean than it is to play good!"

How does it compare to Craig's?

"I couldn’t say," says Lesley. "The main difference is I’m a woman and he’s a man. I love Craig! His performance of Miss Hannigan is a different take on it really. Whilst our performances are both probably very different, they are both valid and both the same character."

"I never watch what anyone else does or try and copy it as it would just end up throwing me off. Although Mel Brooks told Ross Noble during Young Frankenstein’ just watch the film and use that but he’s the only person who’s ever done that."

The show comes to Canterbury after a successful spell in London’s West End. Set in 1930s New York during The Great Depression, it's the story of young Annie, who 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 at the residence of famous billionaire, Oliver Warbucks. Spiteful Miss Hannigan has other ideas and hatches a plan to spoil Annie’s search.

With its award-winning book and score, this new production includes the songs It’s the Hard Knock Life, Easy Street, I Don’t Need Anything But You and Tomorrow.

Annie will be at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury from Monday, October 14 to Saturday, October 19, visit marlowetheatre.com or call 01227 787787.

Read our review here.

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