Susie McKenna News

With her critically acclaimed production of Antoinette Nwandu's Pass Over now running until 4 April, Kiln Theatre Artistic Director Indhu Rubasingham today announces further programming for 2020 - Heart by Jade Anouka, and more information about The Wife of Willesden adapted by Zadie Smith from Chaucer's The Wife of Bath and NW Trilogy three short plays by Moira Buffini, Suhayla El-Bushra and Roy Williams.

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Hackney Empire today releases production images of its sparkling new pantomime production Dick Whittington and his Cat which runs at the East End venue until 5 January 2020, with press night taking place this evening.

Kiln Theatre today announces their programme as part of Sadiq Khan's wider Brent London Borough of Culture 2020. The programme includes the world première of Zadie Smith's The Wife of Willesden directed by Artistic Director Indhu Rubasingham, renewing their collaboration following the acclaimed world première stage adaptation of Smith's White Teeth in 2018, Footholds: NW Stories; a trilogy of short plays by Moira Buffini, Suhayla El-Bushra and Roy Williams, and the fourth annual Mapping Brent project, supported by the Brent 2020 Culture Fund. Kiln Theatre will also lead The Agency, a programme for young people in Brent to workshop and pitch unique business and social enterprise ideas for funding and support.

Olivier Award nominee Patrick Ryecart (The Crown, Poldark, The King's Speech) will lead the cast of The Barn Theatre's reimagined actor-musician production of Charles Dickens' festive masterpiece, A Christmas Carol, as Ebenezer Scrooge.

Hackney Empire has announced further casting for Dick Whittington and his Cat and reveal the first cast images of its sparkling new adaptation as it gears up for panto season! Tarinn Callender, who made his West End debut with the original London cast of Hamilton playing Hercules Mulligan and James Madison, will mark his first Hackney panto in the title role of Dick Whittington. The production will also welcome debut panto appearances from Annette McLaughlin (Harry Potter and The Cursed Child) as Queen Rat, Christina Tedders (Once The Musical) as Alice Fitzwarren and Sue Kelvin (Caroline, Or Change) as Fairy Bowbells. As previously announced, they will star alongside Hackney stalwarts Grand Dame Clive Rowe who marks a 13th panto appearance, this year starring as Sarah the Cook, the loveable Kat B as Vincent the Cat and the ever trusty Tony Whittle as Alderman Fitzwarren. 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.

Known for her recent work in The Rink at the Southwark Playhouse and Follies at the National Theatre, Gemma Sutton can currently be found singing the blues at the Kiln Theatre in Blues in the Night.

You can forget your troubles or wallow in the richness of Blues in the Night, currently at the Kiln Theatre. The musical revue follows four individuals, known simply as The Lady (Sharon D Clarke), The Woman (Debbie Kurup), The Man (Clive Rowe) and The Girl (Gemma Sutton).

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.