★★★★

“Sumptuous, hilarious, sparkling and completely over the top”

The most magical thing about watching Cinderella is that you know the story, the characters and the outcome. It is a universal story of adversity and justice, and the transformative powers of love and kindness. It has been performed, in various adaptations, possibly millions of times around the world. In Britain alone, it is one of the most frequently mounted pantomimes.

Yet, in the hands of a masterly production, you can still be enthralled. In fact, much of the enchantment comes from the fact you DO know what’s going on. So, in the audience, you become collaborator and co-creator, and in some weird way, know that the success of the evening is greatly down to you.

That’s enough theorising – Hackney Empire’s seasonal Cinderella, in the hands of writer Will Brenton and director Clive Rowe, delivers that masterly production. Sumptuous, hilarious, sparkling and completely over the top. Brenton and Rowe are masters. The credits in the programme are too long to even begin a selection, but think productions of The Addams Family and Chicago – Rowe has been involved in these and many more. With such credentials, the evening guaranteed brilliance.

For a start there was a proper band. Led by Wendy Gadian as musical director and arranger, the four musicians managed to sound like a complete orchestra. The music – a mix of classic Christmas and contemporary pop with original material and songs by Steven Edis – yielded sophisticated dance numbers, rousing choruses, some poignant solos and great audience involvement. At one point, a few songsters joined in from the stalls even before the invitation.

Then there was the villain – the wicked stepmother. Gloriously attired in costumes by designer Cleo Pettitt, and prowling about the stage to audience boos, Alexandra Waite-Roberts was, for me, the outstanding act. She is a musical performer of the highest calibre with huge on-stage charisma. Her song number ‘I am going to live till I die’ and a short Bob Fosse-style dance sequence (choreography by Michael Ward) were two of the show’s delights.

But then picking out any performer seems churlish. Kat B and George Heyworth as Flatula and Nausea (the Ugly Sisters) held the show together. Jade Johnson as the Fairy Godmother and Siobhan James as Cinderella were the charmers, while Nicholas McLean, as a cheeky Buttons hopelessly in love with Cinders, gave us a light touch of pathos – as well as being a belting singer.

It was a big ensemble, appropriate for the gorgeous Hackney Empire. Supporting the main cast and ensemble were 25 students from the Vestry School of Dance and Performing Arts. Every one was excellently integrated and a credit to the show.

The final must-mention was the on-stage spectacle delivered by a hugely talented creative, production and technical team with lighting by Tim Mitchell and sound by Richard Bell. The backdrops were all spun with glitter – we got a frost festival, a woodland glade, a castle on a mountain and Hardup Hall, home to Cinderella and her stepsisters. As the first act closes and the fairy godmother sends Cinders to the ball, the technics were all pulled out and a piece of completely awesome stage magic was performed to gasps by the audience. It would be quite wrong to spoil the moment. Go and see for yourself.

Do you need reminding of the story? Cinderella is a classic folk tale (French) of a virtuous working girl extremely down on her luck and being bullied. But her beauty and goodness have been noticed and there is a handsome prince loose in the district – Hackney in the Holly in this case – who is looking for a wife (and to be recognised for himself). So, Hey Presto! Magic brings the two together and all wrongs are righted. In the meantime we have all enjoyed nearly three hours of laughter, sung along to some great music, been awestruck, thrilled and thoroughly satisfied. What better way to open the Christmas season?

ALADDIN at the Hackney Empire

★★★★

“Clive Rowe is truly the grand dame of panto dames”

Stuff Shakespeare, Pantomime is probably my favourite theatrical tradition. There are not many other settings where you can have babies, grandparents, and long-suffering assorted other relatives entertained for a couple of hours by good old British drag.

And Clive Rowe knows how to entertain. His stewardship at the Hackney Empire continues this year with another barnstorming performance as Mother Twanky in Aladdin. We are transported to the land of Hack-ne-lah, for a riot of fun, anti-consumerism and disco dancing. Trust me, it works!

Do I need to explain the plot? Probably not. The main additions to the traditional tale here are the sneering, evil billionaire Mildew Funk played in gloriously writhing camp fashion by George Heyworth (better known as Bourgeois in the celebrated cabaret duo Bourgeois and Maurice), who unfortunately also happens to be Jazz’s (Isabella Mason) father. He is determined to marry her off to a fellow rich man, when her heart has already been captured by the pure and kind Aladdin (Fred Double). The biggest baddie is Abby-na-zaaar! spelt properly with three ‘As’, one ‘R’, and an exclamation mark (Natasha Lewis). She is determined to become the most powerful wizard in the world, and also the best trombonist. I did not realise my panto needed brass on stage, but turns out it really does, especially accompanying a reworked Meghan Trainor song.

Aside from the magic lamp, there’s also a magic ring (the spirit of which is played by a charismatic and ditsy Ruth Lynch), who’s provenance got slightly lost in the exposition of the opening scenes, but nonetheless is charming.

“Cleo Pettitt on costumes ramps up the camp and comedy with each one: the sparkling dirty martini glass dress is the literal cherry on top”

Rounding out the cast is Rishi Manuel as Wishy, who does a great line in slapstick comedy, and pulls the audience through the obligatory participation songs. Kat B is the coolest genie I’ve ever seen, in a plunge neck disco outfit, and towering platforms.

Rowe also directs, and has assisted Will Brenton in writing the script. Once the heavy lifting of character introductions is out the way, Rowe warms the audience up with the help of a laundry list of gags – literally. Pun after pun after visual joke came tumbling out of Widow Twanky like the assorted items out of her brilliant bag lady dress, embossed with Groucci. The outfits get more and more extraordinary – Cleo Pettitt on costumes ramps up the camp and comedy with each one: the sparkling dirty martini glass dress is the literal cherry on top.

The big dance numbers also show off the talented ensemble and heighten the energy even more, grabbing the attention of even the chatty two year old sitting next to me. Myles Brown’s choreography, using professionals, (members of the Hackney Empire’s young Artist Development Programme, and the Vestry School of Dance and Performing Arts) is both polished, but also has an inclusive, community feel.

Though Widow Twanky might have moaned about the special effects budget, I was impressed by the sheer amount of pyrotechnics on show, and especially the magical carpet ride. Steve Edis’ original song here was also a welcome respite from memories of Peter Andre singing that version.

The short second act feels like it’s also had a gin at the interval, with the jokes getting more risqué, though firmly on the side of family friendly: the children around me were confused as to why I was laughing so hard at a gag about the Ultra Low Emissions Zone. I also think they might have been bypassed by the bisexual lighting and Aphrodite statue in a certain evil lair which foreshadowed a lovely romantic tryst and twist.

Hackney Empire once again presents yet another magnificent panto and Clive Rowe is truly the grand dame of panto dames. Long may his reign continue.

CINDERELLA

Hackney Empire

★★★★

“Sumptuous, hilarious, sparkling and completely over the top”

CINDERELLA

Hackney Empire

Reviewed on 4th December 2025

by Louise Sibley

Photography by Mark Senior

Previously reviewed at this venue:

Cinderella

Cinderella

Cinderella

ALADDIN at the Hackney Empire

★★★★

“Clive Rowe is truly the grand dame of panto dames”

“Cleo Pettitt on costumes ramps up the camp and comedy with each one: the sparkling dirty martini glass dress is the literal cherry on top”

ALADDIN at the Hackney Empire

Reviewed on 30th November 2023

by Rosie Thomas

Photography by Steve Gregson

Other reviews by Rosie:

Aladdin

Aladdin

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