Susie McKenna News

Celebrated grande dame of pantomime Clive Rowe will make his much-anticipated return to Hackney Empire this Christmas in Mother Goose. Rowe will star in the title role, for which he received an Olivier Award-nomination in 2008.

The League of Professional Theatre Women (LPTW) and its International Committee are pleased to present the recipient of the LPTW Gilder/Coigney International Theatre Award 2014, Patricia Ariza, legendary producer, director, actress, playwright, and poet from Colombia.

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.

The League of Professional Theatre Women (LPTW) and its International Committee are pleased to announce the recipient of the LPTW Gilder/Coigney International Theatre Award 2014, Patricia Ariza, legendary producer, director, actress, playwright, and poet from Colombia.

Celebrated grande dame of pantomime Clive Rowe will make his much-anticipated return to Hackney Empire this Christmas in Mother Goose. Rowe will star in the title role, for which he received an Olivier Award-nomination in 2008.

Gary Naylor sees a show filled with songs from some of the last century's greatest singers - given full due by some of the West End's finest vocalists.

On Saturday 7th December panto passionistas came together to celebrate the magic of pantomime. In total, over 150 theatres across the UK participated in Panto Day 2013, with Panto Day tweets reaching a global audience of over 2.5 Million.

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.

With only one day to go until Panto Day 2013, Pantoland is putting the final touches in place to celebrate the magic of pantomime on Saturday 7th December.

'We're having such fun!' enthuses Sharon D Clarke. She sounds remarkably perky for someone who's just started the traditional gruelling British panto schedule. But then the Hackney Empire panto isn't your usual panto.

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!

Hackney Empire will present Puss in Boots as its 2013 pantomime. This brand new show will be written and directed by Susie McKenna and produced by the creative team that has made Hackney Empire's the number one London pantomime. The show will run from tonight, 23 November 2013 to the 05 January 2014.

On Sunday 27 October around 100 people took to the streets of Hackney in an array of pantomime attire to take part in the first ever DAME DASH. The event rose over £7000 which will be divided between Hackney Empire and St Joseph's Hospice allowing these two East End charities to continue their work and support within the local community.

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!

Susie McKenna, Creative Director at Hackney Empire, directs Blues in the Night today, 14 July 2013 at 2.30pm and 7.30pm.

Hackney Empire will present Puss in Boots as its 2013 pantomime. This brand new show will be written and directed by Susie McKenna and produced by the creative team that has made Hackney Empire's the number one London pantomime. The show will run from the 23 November 2013 to the 05 January 2014.

BLUES IN THE NIGHT uses the great blues and jazz songs of the 1920s and 30s to explore the lives of three women and a saloon singer in a 'cheap hotel' during the course of a long memory-filled evening. The 26 songs celebrate the blues melodies of Bessie Smith, Jimmy Cox, Duke Ellington, Alberta Hunter and songs by Harold Arlen, Benny Goodman, Andy Razaf, Johnny Mercer and others.