The Hackney Empire has announced casting for its highly anticipated annual pantomime, this year Cinderella, with writer and director Susie McKenna (Cats, Ragtime) taking on the role of Wicked Stepmother.
Established West End performer Aisha Jawando (Motown The Musical, Beautiful) will be stepping into the glass slippers of the title role. She will be joined by Hackney Empire pantomime legends Tony Whittle and Kat B as the Ugly Sisters. Peter Straker (Hair, Tommy) will reprise the role of Baron Hardup, having last played the role in 2011, while Darren Hart (Justin’s House, Gigglebiz) will play Buttons.
Aisha Jawando and Clapton the Horse in Hackney Empire’s Cinderella 2017 (Photo: Perou)
The production will also feature Sharon D Clarke and Clarke Peters as the voices of Duchess and Duke Mouse.
Making their Hackney Empire pantomime debuts will be West End performers Stephane Anelli (Saturday Night Fever, Singing In The Rain) as Dandini and Chris Jenkins (Billy Elliot, War Of The Worlds) as Prince Charming. The cast will also include Chloe Ames, Thomas Audibert, Andrew Carthy, Raffaella Covino, Sinead Long and Dale White.
Aisha Jawando, Duchess The Mouse and Duke The Mouse in Hackney Empire’s Cinderella 2017 (Photo: Perou)
Marking their 19th pantomime for Hackney Empire, Cinderella will be written and directed by McKenna, with original music by Steven Edis. The award-winning team has been the creative force behind London’s ever-popular Hackney pantomime for nearly two decades, and will once again be bringing a classic story bang up to date.
This Christmas, Harlem meets Hackney in the classic rags to riches tale of Cinderella. In true Hackney Empire style that brings West End value at East End prices, this magical, family pantomime will be packed with glittering sets, big song and dance numbers, slapstick comedy plus a flying horse, all played out in the beautiful Victorian Theatre.
Cinderella will run at the Hackney Empire from Saturday 18 November – Sunday 31 December, with press night on Thursday 23 November.
Tickets can be booked through the Hackney Empire website.