The Hackney Empire has confirmed that Creative Director Susie McKenna will take up the newly created position of Executive Creative Producer as the theatre announced that Cinderella will be the venue’s 2017 pantomime. 

This news follows on from the closure of the 2016 pantomime Sleeping Beauty on the 8th January and it  was confirmed that Sleeping Beauty was seen by 50,000 people, with 20% of the audience from the local area.

The venue has also confirmed that current Creative Director Susie McKenna will step down from the position to take up the role of Executive Creative Producer, a newly created position which will see her develop new, diverse musical theatre for Hackney Empire and partners. But she will still write and direct this year’s pantomime of Cinderella and the anniversary production in 2018.

Having been Creative Director of Hackney Empire for seven years, Susie McKenna’s new position will allow her to pursue her freelance career as a writer, director and actor, whilst still developing and creating work for the Hackney Empire stage.

Talking of the news she said: “My new role is an exciting opportunity to work with established and emerging diverse talent to tell stories that will celebrate and reflect the melting pot that is our London wide audience.”

During her time at Hackney Empire Susie McKenna has written and directed critically acclaimed pantomimes since 1998. Her most recent directing credits include The Silver Sword, a musical adaptation of Ian Serraillier’s novel, written by Susie and Steve Edis. Other credits include Blues in the Night, A Midsummer Night’s Madness (Hackney Empire, New York and Edinburgh Festival) and Once on this Island (Hackney Empire, Birmingham Rep, Nottingham Playhouse).