The sun will come out in Cork when Annie comes to town

Annie opens at the Opera House next week. Ciara McDonnell joins the cast in rehearsals to see what it takes to bring the musical to the stage

It’s a humid Friday afternoon in Cork city but I am in New York City, watching a moonlit stroll to the cinema. I’m at Long Yard studios, where the 35-strong cast of Annie are rehearsing ahead of their opening night next Thursday in the Cork Opera House.

The atmosphere is electric – the cast are doing their first full run through of NYC, one of the big song and dance numbers in the show and the results are nothing short of fantastical.