Kat B News

This week the world famous Battersea Dogs & Cats Home received a slightly larger feline visitor than usual. Kat B, who will play Puss in Boots in the renowned Hackney Empire pantomime this year, got into character with the Home's feline residents on Wednesday after visiting the London rescue centre, which is celebrating its 130th anniversary of rehoming cats this year.

This week the world famous Battersea Dogs & Cats Home received a slightly larger feline visitor than usual. Kat B, who will play Puss in Boots in the renowned Hackney Empire pantomime this year, got into character with the Home's feline residents on Wednesday after visiting the London rescue centre, which is celebrating its 130th anniversary of rehoming cats this year.

Today Hackney Empire announces the principal cast of its brand new pantomime, Puss in Boots. Written and directed by Susie McKenna with music by Steven Edis, the cast will include Kat B as Puss in Boots, Sharon D Clarke as Queen Talulah, Josefina Gabrielle as the witch Evilena and Stephen Matthews as Dame Nettie Knowall. In true Hackney style this rarely performed classic Perrault pantomime will be reimagined for today's audience, packed with show-stopping songs, dazzling dance routines and side-splitting comedy.

This morning Hackney Empire and St Joseph's Hospice launched the inaugural charity event, DAME DASH with panto legend and Hospice supporter, Christopher Biggins. Biggins was joined on stage by Hackney panto star Kat B, Hackney Empire Creative Director, Susie McKenna and Carolyne Barber from St Joseph's Hospice. Scroll down for photos from the launch!

There are some winter traditions that never fail us. London will grind to a halt at the first sign of sleet, Oxford Street will turn into a festive free-for-all the week before Christmas and Hackney Empire will put on a good panto.

London's No. 1 pantomime team is back again with another smash-hit Christmas cracker.

London's No. 1 pantomime team is back again with another smash-hit Christmas cracker.

London's No1 pantomime team is back with another smash-hit Christmas cracker. Once again written and directed by Susie McKenna, the UK's leading writer and director of pantomimes and starring Clive Rowe, as Widow Twanky and Anna Jane Casey as Aladdin, this production opens on 03 December (with previews from 28 November).

London's No1 pantomime team is back with another smash-hit Christmas cracker. Once again written and directed by Susie McKenna, the UK's leading writer and director of pantomimes and starring Clive Rowe, as Widow Twanky and Anna Jane Casey as Aladdin, this production opens on 03 December (with previews from 28 November).