Francesca Annis joins Daniel Evans in Sondheim’s Company

Actress Francesca Annis is performing the number Ladies Who Lunch playing the acid tongued, much-married Joanne in the Stephen Sondheim musical Company at the Crucible Theatre Sheffield from November 29th to 7th January 2012.

Stephen Sondheim’s musical is about Bobby who is a lonely, single man in New York in the early 70’s. A commitment-phobic bachelor he is about to hit 35 and his friends think it's time he settled down.

He will be played by the sublime Daniel Evans, artistic director of Sheffield Theatres, who will be joined by a company that includes Samantha Spiro, Lucy Montgomery, Ian Gelder, Anna-Jane Casey and Kelly Price. Other ensemble members include David Birrell, Rosalie Craig, Steven Cree, Claire Price, Alistair Robins and Samantha Seager.

It is the show’s first major revival since it was directed by Sam Mendes at the Donmar Warehouse in 1996 starring Adrian Lester and Sheila Gish. The Sheffield production will be directed by Jonathan Munby and designed by Christopher Oram.

Ms Annis has not performed a singing role for more than thirty years and has been having singing lessons to get her voice in shape. She trained as a dancer which will come in handy because Company will feature a couple of set pieces choreographed by Lynne Page.