Tony Whittle News

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.

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).