Cinderella is on the button

Cinderella runs at Hackney Empire, in East London, until 31 December 2025.

It is the latest pantomime at this historic theatre that have, together, become a by-word for the very finest in this festive family theatrical genre.

And Cinderella does not disappoint. It is a sublime production.

An annual theatrical tradition

For international readers, who may not know, Pantomime, aka panto, is a festive season tradition throughout the UK.

Hundreds of pantomime productions, large and small, professional and amateur, are staged in provincial London and regional theatres and in town and village halls throughout the country.

As is tradition, a principal 'boy' is usually a girl and a 'dame, invariably played by a man.

Perennial panto favourites include Aladdin; Dick Whittington; Sleeping Beauty; Jack and the Beanstalk; Snow White and Puss in Boots.

And Cinderella which is the Hackney Empire's production in 2025.

The Victoria and Albert Museum has produced an excellent history of pantomime : https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/the-story-of-pantomime

(Images : Mark Senior)

Rightly rooted in the community

Hackney Empire is a theatre rooted in the community and a highlight of the London Borough's year is its panto.

Cinderella is a sparkling production that seamlessly blends show stopping musical numbers along with slick and laugh-out-loud comedy routines and unencumbered 'booing and cheering' audience participation.

We are treated to performances by home-grown talent and top-notch performers of national renown, in front of sumptuous stage sets and with the essential support of a fine band.

As befitting the Empire ethos, its multi-cultural production that reflects an audience of all ages and backgrounds in an evening of carefree escape in the theatre.

The result is a tremendous evening those, on and off the stage.

No surprise there was a spontaneous standing ovation well before the final number, that itself was geared to eliciting one.

It sums up about Cinderella at Hackney Empire perfectly.

The plot is well known

Angelic, but down at heel, Cinderella dreams of love and adventure free from the clutched of her Ugly Sisters and their Wicked Stepmother.

Buttons is her one true friend, although there is a fairy godmother in the wings.

Cinderella gets her one opportunity of true love with an invitation to the 'party of the year' hosted by Prince Charming, Cinderella's 'Mr right guy'.

Will it all end happily?

'Oh no it won't! Oh yes it will!'. You guess is as good as mine (and you will be right!)

Cinderella wins Ann over with its warmth

While I have been a sucker for pantomime since my youth, my wife Ann was never enamoured and went to Cinderella under a little duress (and because I am her Mr right guy).

She absolutely loved it and was astonished at how slick and professional the production was.

Carefree and with a genuine warmth that flows from the stage from start to finish (like the dry ice used to great effect when Cinderella 'flies' to the ball at the end of the first half).

As for the performances, this is so obviously an ensemble production with the entire cast and musicians contributing to a wonderful evening in the theatre.

That said Kat B and George Heyworth are hilarious and sublimely grotesque as ugly sisters Flatula and Nausea.

Alexandra Waite-Roberts is marvellously malicious as Oblivia, the wicked stepmother we love to hate, and who milks this for every drop.

Siobhan James pitches Cinderella just right and has real rapport with Luke Latchman her Prince Charming.

Finally, Nicholas McLean as Buttons and Chrissie Bhima as Dandini both have so much expressive charisma and are future musical comedy stars in the making.

Leaving Cinderella and on the train home I slotted in Hackney Empire panto for the same time in 2026.

Whatever panto Hackney Empire opts for, I just know its going to be tremendous.

https://www.hackneyempire.co.uk/events/cinderella

Hackney Empire

Hackney Empire, has had a rollercoaster history since its grand opening as a music hall in 1901, featuring early electric lighting and central heating.

During its first fifty hey-day period, the Empire was a hugely popular music hall with Charlie Chaplin, Stan Laurel and Marie Lloyd and the other biggest acts of the time appearing on its boards.

The theatre closed in the 1950's, became a television theatre and bingo hall before being threatened with demolition.

A local preservation campaign saw the theatre awarded Grade II* listed due to its architectural significance and it received protection.

Today, Hackney Empire is lauded for its wide-ranging offering that embraces theatre, opera, stand-up comedy and, of course, its hugely popular, highly regarded Christmas pantomime.

www.hackneyempire.co.uk

More information :

Cinderella at Hackney Empire runs until 31 December 2025

https://www.hackneyempire.co.uk/events/cinderella