Steven Edis

Brigid Larmour has announced she will be stepping down from her role as Artistic Director and Chief Executive of Watford Palace Theatre in Spring 2023. 

Hackney Empire has released behind-the-scenes rehearsal images for its Christmas pantomime Mother Goose as previews begin on 19 November.

Hackney Empire has announced the cast and creative team for their Christmas 2022 pantomime, Mother Goose, which opens on 19th November, running until 31st December.

One year on from theatres being allowed to fully reopen, where is the new writing? This is a problem Darren Clark has set out to tackle with his project New UK Musicals. Set up during the pandemic, the project's website makes sheet music and backing tracks to new original musical theatre songs by British writers widely available.

West End stars Tyrone Huntley (Judas in 'Jesus Christ Superstar', Regent's Park Open Air Theatre) Anoushka Lucas (Laurey Williams, 'Oklahoma' at the Young Vic) Michael Rouse (Jacob Marley, 'A Christmas Carol'  Old Vic) and Gemma Sutton (Young Sally in 'Follies', NT, Kate in 'Girl From the North Country', West End) will guest star at the 'New UK Musicals - Live in Concert' at The Other Palace on Monday 4 July.

It’s In The Air! showcase will be the UK premiere of the hit German musical ‘Es Liegt in der Luft’ will open at the Hope Mill Theatre. Originally written by composer Mischa Spoliansky and lyricist Marcellus Schiffer, this never seen before English translation will open on Wednesday 22nd June 2022 at the Hope Mill Theatre

Just a few days after it was announced that Ernest Shackleton’s Endurance was found in near-perfect conditions off the coast of Antarctica after it sank in 1915, a play about another tragic, marginally more famous shipwreck opens at the Park Theatre.

Sit in the Stalls today announce their brand new project ‘New Year, New Songs, New Writers’ starting in January 2021.

The world's oldest working, mechanised paper mill is surely not haunted? Although some spooky happenings have definitely been reported as the nights have been getting longer.

Hackney Empire today releases production images of its sparkling new pantomime production Dick Whittington and his Cat which runs at the East End venue until 5 January 2020, with press night taking place this evening.

Hackney Empire has announced further casting for Dick Whittington and his Cat and reveal the first cast images of its sparkling new adaptation as it gears up for panto season! Tarinn Callender, who made his West End debut with the original London cast of Hamilton playing Hercules Mulligan and James Madison, will mark his first Hackney panto in the title role of Dick Whittington. The production will also welcome debut panto appearances from Annette McLaughlin (Harry Potter and The Cursed Child) as Queen Rat, Christina Tedders (Once The Musical) as Alice Fitzwarren and Sue Kelvin (Caroline, Or Change) as Fairy Bowbells. As previously announced, they will star alongside Hackney stalwarts Grand Dame Clive Rowe who marks a 13th panto appearance, this year starring as Sarah the Cook, the loveable Kat B as Vincent the Cat and the ever trusty Tony Whittle as Alderman Fitzwarren. Dick Whittington and His Cat will run from 23 November 2019 to 5 January 2020, with opening night for press on Wednesday 4 December 2019.

Following a sell out run in April this year, the critically acclaimed Where is Peter Rabbit? returns to the West End by popular demand for a limited season from 20 July 1 September at the Theatre Royal Haymarket.

Hackney Empire today announces Dick Whittington and His Cat for its 2019 pantomime production which will sail in to London in November, marking a record 21st pantomime from Hackney Empire stalwarts, writer and director Susie McKenna and composer Steven Edis. Last staged in 2012, the classic tale receives a brand-new, magical adaptation when it returns to the East End venue this Christmas. Dick Whittington and His Cat will run from 23 November 2019 to 5 January 2020, with opening night for press on Wednesday 4 December 2019.

Hop onto your seats and immerse yourself in the magical world of Beatrix Potter. Watch with delight as your favourite stories and most beloved characters are brought to life on the stage in this theatrical spectacular, with beautifully handcrafted puppets, enchanting original songs and a sprinkle of magic. Look out for the ferocious Mr. McGregor, reach heady heights with Jemima Puddle-Duck, do the laundry with Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle and of course, fall in love with the mischievous Peter Rabbit.

They're here - oh yes they are! Hackney Empire today releases production images for Aladdin, its landmark 20th anniversary Christmas pantomime from writer and director Susie McKenna and composer Steven Edis. The celebratory production runs at Hackney Empire until 6 January 2019, with opening night for press taking place this evening.

Hackney Empire has announced the return of Olivier Award nominated actress, television star and comedian Tameka Empson (EastEnders, The Big Life, 3 Non Blondes) for its landmark 20th anniversary pantomime from writer and director Susie McKenna in a sparkling new production of Aladdin opening this Christmas. Tameka Empson makes a much-anticipated return to the Hackney stage where she performed regularly between 2004 and 2009 before being cast as Kim Fox-Hubbard in EastEnders. Aladdin will mark her first stage appearance since joining the soap and will see her return to the role of the Empress alongside Hackney Empire's Olivier Award-winning Grande Dame Clive Rowe. Aladdin will run from 24 November 2018 to 6 January 2019, with opening night for press on 5 December.

Hackney Empire presents Aladdin, its landmark 20th anniversary Christmas pantomime from writer and director Susie McKenna. Gemma Sutton (Gypsy, The Rink) takes on the title role and will be joined byJulie Yammanee (Spamilton, Here Lies Love) as Princess Ling Mai and Empire regular Kat B as Genie of the Lamp. As previously announced, Hackney Empire's Olivier Award-winning Grande Dame of pantomime Clive Rowe will be making his Hackney comeback in the role of Widow Twankey. Last seen in 2015, Aladdin will mark Rowe's 12th panto with the venue. There will also be a Hackney homecoming for Olivier Award nominated actress, television star and comedian Tameka Empson (EastEnders) who will return to play The Empress in her sixth Empire panto and following her last stage appearance 9 years ago.

Hackney Empire has announced the return of Olivier Award nominated actress, television star and comedian Tameka Empson (EastEnders, The Big Life, 3 Non Blondes) for its landmark 20th anniversary pantomime from writer and director Susie McKenna in a sparkling new production of Aladdin opening this Christmas. Tameka Empson makes a much-anticipated return to the Hackney stage where she performed regularly between 2004 and 2009 before being cast as Kim Fox-Hubbard in EastEnders. Aladdin will mark her first stage appearance since joining the soap and will see her return to the role of the Empress alongside Hackney Empire's Olivier Award-winning Grande Dame Clive Rowe. Aladdin will run from 24 November 2018 to 6 January 2019, with opening night for press on 5 December.

Hackney Empire's Olivier Award-winning Grande Dame of pantomime Clive Rowe is set to return to the East End stage for the theatre's 2018 pantomime. A landmark year for the panto, Rowe will play the Dame in writer and director Susie McKenna's 20th anniversary production which will see a new staging of the family favourite Aladdin, and will mark two decades at the helm of the now legendary show with composer Steven Edis. Rowe will be making his Hackney comeback following his last appearance in Jack and the Beanstalk in 2015. Aladdin will run from 24 November 2018 to 6 January 2019, with opening night for press on 5 December.

Hackney Empire today releases production images of its highly anticipated 2017 Christmas pantomime Cinderella which runs at the East London venue until Sunday 31 December with press night this evening. Check out the images below!