Find out what is being said about Clive Rowe’s festive production of the fairytale…
WhatsOnStage: **** “After a few years struggling to live up to its benchmark-setting reputation, it’s a pleasure to report that the Hackney Empire panto is back to its best this year in a production that combines nearly all the ingredients we’ve come to love from this east London institution.”
Time Out: *** “This show’s heart lies with its villains: Alexandra Waite-Roberts is the very definition of ‘pantomime villain’ as Oblivia, Cinderella’s cacklingly evil stepmother who in this version offed her stepdaughter’s dad years previously and barely makes any effort to conceal the fact. ‘Ugly sisters’ is a term that has fallen out of fashion in recent years, but in the roles that used to be called that, George Heyworth and Kat B are great fun as Nausea and Flatula, two women who aren’t so much evil as incredibly dumb. In the absence of Rowe, the audience work falls to them – they make a solid enough job of it – and they memorably join forces with Nicholas McLean’s prissy Buttons for a run through ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ that lasts something like 10 minutes and heavily revolves around Heyworth and Kat B trying to get their co-star to corpse. “
The Stage: **** “Reassuring return to form for Hackney and director Clive Rowe with a savvy book, broad comedy and an epic playlist.”
The Spy in the Stalls: **** “The final must-mention was the on-stage spectacle delivered by a hugely talented creative, production and technical team with lighting by Tim Mitchell and sound by Richard Bell.”
Theatre & Tonic: *** “Thankfully, the production values remain as lavish as ever, with vibrant sets, energetic choreography, and a band that keeps things buoyant even during the slower stretches. And beneath the occasional bloat, the show’s familiar heart still beats strongly: warm, welcoming, and powered by a sense of community that few pantomimes can match.”
The Telegraph: *** “The Hackney Empire panto has lost some of its characteristic cheeky swagger this year.”
West End Best Friend: ***** “Buttons is played by the fresh-faced Nicholas Mclean as a bundle of innocent fun. He takes successive rounds of “Five Facial Creams” from the Sisters in the ‘12 Days of Christmas’ in good grace, even if its crowd-pleasing inclusion does rather overextend the first act. Cinders, too, is a delight as played by Siobhan James who charms us throughout, as does the ebullient Dandini (Chrissie Bhima). They all sing and dance well and work together as an Ensemble to great effect. It is this creative unity in the cast that really makes the Hackney Empire panto stand out from the plethora of other shows.”
East End Review.co.uk: “From Die with a Smile to Boogie Wonderland, the second half mixed original songs with guaranteed crowd pleasers. The entire cast shone here, filling the stage with movement and a kind of joyful chaos which felt distinctly Hackney. The crystal slipper drove the story home.”
Cinderella continues to play at the Hackney Empire until the 31st December.