Kat B News

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.

There are plenty of seasonal treats served up in the capital this year, from pantos and plays to opera and dance. Here are some of the tastiest morsels for the 2018-19 festive period.

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 2017 Christmas pantomime Cinderella runs at the East London venue until 31 December. Writer and director Susie McKenna gives us a sneak peek at its creation - watch the video below!

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!

Hackney Empire can be counted on to deliver a hilarious and naughty panto every year, but Cinderella also has heart. This fun and fantastical production caters to both children and adults with its contemporary humour, talented cast, and impressive staging. Hackney's diverse reimagining of the classic fairy tale is one not to miss this festive season.

Hackney Empire today announces casting for its highly anticipated 2017 Christmas pantomime, Cinderella, having last been staged at the venue in 2011. 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. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the cast in character below!

Hackney Empire today announces casting for its highly anticipated 2017 Christmas pantomime, Cinderella, having last been staged at the venue in 2011. 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. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the cast in character below!

Hackney Empire today announces casting for its highly anticipated 2017 Christmas pantomime, Cinderella, having last been staged at the venue in 2011.

The British Museum has acquired photographs by nine artists from across the Middle East with support from Art Fund. This new acquisition takes the British Museum's Middle East art collection in new directions capturing moments in time and engaging with recent and current histories.

Hackney Empire today announced the full cast of its brand new pantomime for 2016, Sleeping Beauty. The West End's leading lady Alexia Khadime (Wicked, The Book of Mormon, The Lion King) will be returning to the site of her stage debut to star as Princess Tahlia (Sleeping Beauty). She will be joined by Olivier Award-winner Sharon D Clarke who returns to Hackney Empire after her appearance in Mother Goose in 2014. They are joined by Gavin Spokes who makes his dameing debut, he joins the Hackney Empire family straight from his Olivier Award-nominated performance as Nicely Nicely Johnson in Guys and Dolls in the West End.

He's back! Clive Rowe is to tread the boards at Hackney Empire once again starring as Dame Daisy Trottin their 2015 pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk, from tonight 21 November 2015 to 3 January 2016.

Brand new rehearsal images have been released for Hackney Empire's 2015 Christmas pantomime Jack and the Beanstalkstarring the Empire's own Olivier nominated dame Clive Rowe as Dame Daisy Trott, Olivier Award-nominee Debbie Kurup asJack and Hackney Empire favourite Kat B as Snowman. Matthew Kelly joins the cast as the voice of Giant Blunderbore.  Check out a first look at rehearsals below!

Hackney Empire has today announced the full cast of its much-anticipated 2015 pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk. The full cast will be joining previously announced Olivier Award-nominee Debbie Kurup as Jack, everybody's favourite dame, Olivier Award-winning Clive Rowe as Dame Daisy Trott and Kat B as Snowman. Following their 2014 pantomime which was seen by over 50,000 people Jack and the Beanstalkwill run from 21 November 2015 to 3 January 2016.

He's back! Clive Rowe is to tread the boards at Hackney Empire once again starring as Dame Daisy Trottin their 2015 pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk, from 21 November 2015 to 3 January 2016. 

Today Hackney Empire announces the full cast of its much-anticipated 2014 pantomime, the return of Mother Goose starring Clive Rowe. For the first time in six years the casting reunites some of Hackney's most-loved performers. Director Susie McKenna will this year take to the stage as evil sorceress Vanity, alongside last year's Puss in Boots Kat B, who will play Billy Goose. They join previously announced grande dame of pantomime Clive Rowe, reprising his Olivier Award-nominated title role and marking his 10th appearance in the show and Olivier Award-winning Sharon D Clarke, playing the good enchantress Charity.

Susie McKenna bites the bullet and gives a Puss in Boots that stays loyal to its complicated French story but still incorporates all the traditions of its madcap English format. It's a packed show, coming in at just over two and a half hours - fortunately the pace doesn't let up and the audience goes home well entertained having had their money's worth.

Here are the first images from Hackney Empire's 2013 pantomime Puss in Boots. The iconic London pantomime is written and directed by Susie McKenna who celebrates her 15th Hackney pantomime this year.

Hackney Empire has just released production images of their 2013 pantomime, PUSS IN BOOTS. Kat B, Sharon D Clarke, Josefina Gabrielle and Stephen Matthews star in this year's iconic Hackney pantomime. London's No.1 pantomime will run to the 05 January 2014 with press night set for Wednesday 04 December, 7pm. Scroll down for a first look at the cast in action!