SHARPSHOOTER Frank Butler meets his match in more senses than one in the musical Annie Get Your Gun.
The much-loved show, created by the legendary songwriter Irving Berlin, will be staged by Wantage Stage Musical Company at Wantage Civic Hall from Wednesday to Saturday, November 4 to 7, at 7.30pm with a 2.30pm Saturday matinée.
Based on the book by brother and sister duo Herbert and Dorothy Fields, it tells the story of Annie Oakley, a happy and endearing country girl who rises to fame after beating the suave Butler, star of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show, in a contest and then falls in love with him.
The show features hits including There’s No Business Like Show Business, Anything You Can Do (I Can Do Better), You Can’t Get a Man with a Gun, Doin' What Comes Naturally, I Got Lost in His Arms, and The Girl That I Marry.
The title role is taken by Anya Rollings, who has appeared in many WSMC shows, including The Boyfriend earlier this year, in the role of Maisie, and Oklahoma!, as Gertie Cummings.
Frank Butler is played by Rob Thorpe, who has played leading roles for WSMC from the cheeky cockney chappy in Me and My Girl to the vicious Bill Sykes, complete with bull terrier, in Oliver! last year.
The story is a fictionalised version of the life of Annie Oakley (1860-1926), who was a sharpshooter from Ohio, and her husband, Frank Butler.
The original 1946 Broadway production of Annie Get Your Gun was a hit and the musical had long runs in both New York (1,147 performances) and London, leading to revivals, including London's forthcoming production at the Young Vic this month, a 1950 film version and television shows. Ethel Merman starred as Annie Oakley and Ray Middleton played Frank Butler in the 1946 production.
For more information and tickets, telephone 01235 767509 or 01235 770087, or email info@WantageStageMusical.co.uk Tickets are on sale at the Vale and Downland Museum, Wantage, at Bretts Chemist, Grove, or on-line. More information is available by going to the company’s website, www.WantageStageMusical.co.uk
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