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For Annie Aitken, 2025 is already gearing up to be one of her busiest years yet. The Australian performer is starring as Cunégonde in Opera Australia’s 2025 season of Candide, a run that will end on March 14. Less than a week later she will star opposite Cody Simpson in Guys & Dolls on Sydney Harbour.
It’s a work schedule that sounds gruelling to anyone, but for Annie, it also marks her return to the stage after welcoming twins in late 2023.
“It change’s everything,” she tells WHO of motherhood. “Your whole life changes from being about yourself and putting your needs first to putting your baby’s needs first. It’s wonderful, but provides its own challenges.”
After taking a break from her career and relocating to Perth as she embarked on her motherhood journey, Annie is ready to return to the stage – but now, she’s more selective of the roles she chooses.
“I only go for things that creatively, really fulfil me,” she explains. “I can’t just accept any role. It has to be something that is financially viable for my family. It has to be something that works for my husband and works for my parents who have to be available to help take care of the boys when I travel. It’s a community effort and has to align with a lot of levels that I never used to have to consider before.”
Juggling motherhood and a career is taxing for anyone, but the added layers of long-interstate travel and a physically demanding profession add a new level of complexity to Annie’s schedule.
“Sleep is one of the most important things for your voice, and as a mum, it’s one of the first things you give up,” she explains.
6 months after her sons were born, Annie accepted a role with State Opera South Australia and brought her family along for the run. “I was still breastfeeding and pumping and doing all of that,” she admitted, revealing that her upcoming stint in Sydney will be different.
“The boys are 15 months old now and I’m not breastfeeding them anymore,” she explains. “I’ll be away from them for a few weeks, which is very challenging, but also allows me that sleep that I so definitely need…but it’s hard on the heartstrings.”
“My mother-in-law’s flown out from the UK to be here and help look after the boys,” she adds. “My parents are incredible, and my husband is an amazing dad. I couldn’t be juggling these two jobs if I didn’t have the support on the home front, it really does take a village.”
Guys and Dolls will see Annie take on the leading role of Sarah Brown in the musical that first premiered on Broadway in 1950.
The Tony Award-winning musical is set to receive a larger-than-life Australian premiere, as it comes to life on a harbourside stage set against the backdrop of Sydney’s skyline.
“The scale of this production is none like ever before,” she shares. “It’s a revitalized and invigorating version of a classic for a modern audience. It’s your perfect Broadway musical, there’s comedy, there’s amazing music, amazing singing, lots of dancing, and even fireworks. It’s everything you could ask for.”
Annie will be joined by Cody Simpson, who is returning to the musical theatre stage as Sky Masterson after a career pivot into professional swimming.
“He’s really passionate about this show and this era of music,” she says of her costar. “He’s so lovely…and I think people will be blown away. He’s the perfect fit for this show and this role, and we have a really good working relationship and working chemistry. It’s only the beginning, but we respect each other and are both keen to give this show what it deserves and do justice to this incredible piece of theatre.”
Candide is currently running at the Sydney Opera House until 14 March 2025. Buy Tickets here.
Guys & Dolls will run from March 21 to April 20, 2025. Buy Tickets here.
