Susie McKenna News

As rehearsals begin for Blues in Night, Artistic Director of Kiln Theatre, Indhu Rubasingham announces the full company. Joining the previously announced Sharon D Clarke (The Lady), Debbie Kurup (The Woman), Clive Rowe (The Man) and Gemma Sutton (The Girl) are Aston New (The Hustler) and Joseph Poulton (The Barman) to complete the company for the first major London revival in 30 years. Susie McKenna's production opens on 24 July, with previews from 18 July, and runs until 7 September.

They're back, oh yes they are! Hackney Empire is delighted to announce Grande Dame Olivier Award winner Clive Rowe will make his 13th pantomime appearance this Christmas starring as Sarah the Cook in Dick Whittington and His Cat joined by Hackney favourite Kat B who will star as Vincent the Cat and Tony Whittle as Alderman Fitzwarren. Rowe returns following a triumphant East End comeback in last year's 20th anniversary production of Aladdin which saw him receive the accolade for Best Dame in the 2019 Great British Pantomime Awards. 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.

Kiln Theatre today announces the appointment of Taio Lawson and Susie McKenna as Associate Directors. They take up their roles from 31 July 2019 and will support Artistic Director Indhu Rubasingham in the delivery of the artistic programme and Kiln Theatre's wider output. Both part-time positions have been made possible through the generous support of theEsmee Fairbairn Foundation.

As rehearsals begin for Blues in Night, Artistic Director of Kiln Theatre, Indhu Rubasingham announces the full company. Joining the previously announced Sharon D Clarke (The Lady), Debbie Kurup (The Woman), Clive Rowe (The Man) and Gemma Sutton (The Girl) are Aston New (The Hustler) and Joseph Poulton (The Barman) to complete the company for the first major London revival in 30 years. Susie McKenna's production opens on 24 July, with previews from 18 July, and runs until 7 September.

London is never short of temptations, whether splashy West End shows, epic dramas or bold fringe offerings. From Jason Robert Brown and Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals to riotous comedy, here are some of this month's most eye-catching openings. Don't forget to check back for BroadwayWorld's reviews, interviews and features!

Kiln Theatre has announced a special one-off fundraising gala on 5 September, one year to the day since the newly refurbished theatre reopened on Kilburn High Road.

With the critically acclaimed The Son currently running at Kiln Theatre, and with Inua Ellams' The Half God of Rainfall in rehearsals, Artistic Director Indhu Rubasingham today announced the full cast for Blues in the Night - Susie McKenna directs Sharon D Clarke (The Lady), Debbie Kurup (The Woman), Clive Rowe (The Man) and Gemma Sutton (The Girl) the first major London revival in 30 years. The production opens on 24 July, with previews from 18 July, and runs until 7 September.

In the latest Road to the Oliviers video, find out more about the line-up for American Airlines Best New Play!

The latest Road to the Olivier's series video is up now featuring a conversation with Ann Treneman, Paul Taylor Mills, and Susie McKenna chatting Come From Away, Six, Fun Home, and more.

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.

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.

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.

A diverse cast; a score packed with many musical genres, including rap; and a sung-through treatment of an important period of American history... No, it's not Hamilton, but a superb concert presentation of the late Martin Smith's King The Musical by Hackney Empire and London Musical Theatre Orchestra about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

This afternoon the winners of the Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year and Stiles + Drewe Prize were announced at the 12th anniversary West End Gala at the Savoy Theatre which was hosted Olivier Award winner Tracie Bennett.

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.

This afternoon the winners of the Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year and Stiles + Drewe Prize were announced at the 12th anniversary West End Gala at the Savoy Theatre which was hosted Olivier Award winner Tracie Bennett.

The Stephen Sondheim Society and Mercury Musical Developments today announce Welsh actress Di Botcher as the special guest performer at the 12th annual West End Gala for The Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year and the 11th anniversary of The Stiles + Drewe Prize.