Ricky Tomlinson returns for smash-hit musical comedy Irish Annie’s nationwide tour 2025

Get ready for a riotous celebration of Irish culture as the hit musical comedy Irish Annie’s embarks on a major nationwide tour in 2025, with the iconic Ricky Tomlinson leading the way.

Following a hugely successful run in 2024, Irish Annie’s is set to play 30 venues across England, Scotland, and Wales between May and July 2025 – kicking off at Liverpool Olympia on 2 May.

Irish Annie’s is an irresistible celebration of Irish culture.

Meet landlady Annie and her regular madcap customers for a fun night of music, comedy and mayhem, featuring original tracks written for the show by Asa Murphy along with your all-time favourite Irish tunes including Tell Me Ma, The Wild Rover, Dirty Old Town, Danny Boy and many more.

The evening promises to have the audience laughing, singing and dancing the night away.

Ricky Tomlinson performs as himself, appearing as a celebrity guest in Annie’s pub. The actor and comedian is best known for his roles as Bobby Grant in Brookside, DCI Charlie Wise in Cracker and Jim Royle in The Royle Family.

He also played the title character in Mike Bassett: England Manager, and more recently he has been seen on television alongside friend and former ‘screen wife’ Sue Johnston in Channel 4’s Ricky, Sue and a Trip or Two, and in ITV’s DNA Journey.

He is also a keen musician and plays both the banjo and harmonica.

Ricky Tomlinson in Irish Annie's - Credit David Munn — Ricky Tomlinson in Irish Annie’s – Credit David Munn

Ricky Tomlinson said:

“Irish Annie’s is infectious, it’s a feel-good show, and it doesn’t matter where we play, people are always up on their feet at the end dancing and singing. So I’m made up to return for the 2025 tour, taking the craic all over the country and entertaining some great audiences along the way.

“I love meeting the people after the show who come to see us. I like to thank them for giving us their support. In fact, we spend as much time there at the end of the show as we do on stage!”

Ricky will be joined by actors Lynn Francis (Twopence to Cross the Mersey, By the Waters of Liverpool, The Royal, The Salon) as landlady Annie, Lynne Fitzgerald (Two, By the Waters of Liverpool, 2Georgeous4U, The Salon) as Moira the Money Lender and May, Nathan Murphy who returns as Porky the Postman and Richard Barry reprising the role of Noel Singen-Smithe – along with Irish Annie’s creator Asa Murphy as Seamus Murphy and the toe-tapping, foot-stomping six-piece band The Shenanigans who perform live at every show.

Irish Annie’s is brought to the stage by Bill Elms Productions (Judy and Liza, Swan Song, Jerry Springer the Opera, Something About Simon, Something About George) and Asa Murphy Productions (Buddy Holly Lives, The Bobby Darin Story, New Generations, The Monkey with No Bum) and directed by Emma Vaudrey and Asa Murphy.

The newly announced dates follow a hugely successful tour of the UK and Ireland during spring 2024 where it played to thousands of people and won glowing reviews from critics who described it as “a show with a huge heart and barrels of love” and “a joyous celebration of Irish culture”.

Irish Annie’s writer Asa Murphy has been a successful entertainer for nearly 20 years, performing all over the world singing Big Band swing music and his own self-penned songs. He has sold out London’s Ronny Scott’s, topped the bill at the Liverpool Empire and has sung on some of the most beautiful liners in the world. He has also been on the airwaves for a decade and hosts a very popular radio show.

In 2019 he turned his talents to writing stage musicals and has so far had three hit shows – Buddy Holly Lives, Mack the Knife and Irish Annie’s, as well as two children’s shows.

Asa Murphy said:

“I was bowled over by the response Irish Annie’s received when we took it on tour earlier this year, and I’m absolutely delighted we’re going back on the road in 2025 – revisiting some old friends as well as introducing Annie and her eccentric customers to a lot of new people.

“I’m also delighted that Ricky Tomlinson is joining us once again. Along with being a brilliant entertainer and storyteller he’s great fun to work with, and of course the audience absolutely loves him.

“Irish Annie’s is a celebration of Irish culture and what makes the people of Ireland so special; music, laughter, and dealing with adversity through friendship and community. I guarantee you’ll leave the theatre with a spring in your step and a song on your lips.”

Bill Elms added:

“Irish Annie’s has gone from strength to strength since it was first staged in Liverpool a few years ago. It’s a big, warm-hearted, feel-good show which appeals to everyone whether they have Irish blood running through their veins or not.

“The tour this spring was fantastic so I can’t wait to take the show back on the road next May, complete with some new cast members joining the Irish Annie’s ‘family’ and with even more dates planned than in 2024.”