Steven Edis News

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!

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!

The Old Laundry Theatre's revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Alan Ayckbourn's light-hearted, fun musical BY JEEVES, led by Bill Champion and Nadim Naaman, runs now through Saturday 4 November 2017. The production opens tonight 9 October 2017, directed by Alan Ayckbourn, and BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action 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 Old Laundry Theatre has just announced the full cast, led by Bill Champion and Nadim Naaman, of the revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Alan Ayckbourn's light-hearted, fun musical BY JEEVES, opening on Friday 6 October - Saturday 4 November 2017 (Press Night: Monday 9 October 2017 at 7.30pm) and directed by Alan Ayckbourn.

Following its world premiere and a hugely successful run at the Old Laundry Theatre in Bowness-on-Windermere last summer, the highly acclaimed family musical adventure Where Is Peter Rabbit? devised by ROGER GLOSSOP with lyrics by ALAN AYCKBOURN and music by STEVEN EDIS, returns on Saturday 10 June 2017 for 12 weeks. 

Watford Palace Theatre proudly presents the world premiere musical I Capture the Castle, based on the iconic novel by Dodie Smith, and co-produced with the Octagon Theatre Bolton and Kevin Wallace Limited, in association with Deborah Ward.

Tickets are selling fast for a musical comedy based on one of the most fascinating relationships in theatre history.

Andrew Lloyd Webber and Alan Ayckbourn's light-hearted, fun musical BY JEEVES will be the highlight of the Old Laundry Theatre's 25th Anniversary Season 2017, opening on Friday 6 October - Saturday 4 November 2017 (Press Night: Monday 9 October 2017 at 7.30pm.) A rare opportunity to see Alan Ayckbourn's first revival in over 20 years of this jocular musical - from Broadway to Bowness!

A MUSICAL comedy based on the "real life love story" of playwright and songwriter Noel Coward and actress Gertrude Lawrence is set to wow audiences at the Swindon Arts Centre.

In 2017 Watford Palace Theatre proudly presents the world premiere musical I Capture the Castle, based on the iconic novel by Dodie Smith, and co-produced with the Octagon Theatre Bolton and Kevin Wallace Limited, in association with Deborah Ward.

World premieres, new writers and ground-breaking adaptations have been announced for 2017 at the National Theatre.

Brussels-based BRONKS, one of Belgium's leading theatres for young audiences bring their acclaimed Edinburgh Fringe hit Us/Them to the Dorfman Theatre from 16 January 2017 (press night 20 January). 

Improbable today announces three new projects: a theatrical show - Lost Without Words; a participation project - Impro For Elders; and a move to Bristol for Devoted and Disgruntled 12. 

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.