HACKNEY EMPIRE ANNOUNCE FULL CAST FOR THIS YEAR’S PANTOMIME JACK AND THE BEANSTALK
CLIVE ROWE RETURNS TO DIRECT AND STAR AS DAME TROT, ALONGSIDE KAT B AS SIMPLE SIMON TROT
SATURDAY 21 NOVEMBER – THURSDAY 31 DECEMBER
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CEO Chris Sudworth and the whole team at Hackney Empire today announce the full cast continuing the legacy of Hackney Empire’s legendary pantomimes. Jack and the Beanstalk, is led by Olivier Award-winner and “panto royalty” (The Times) Clive Rowe, who returns to direct and star as ‘Dame Trot’.
Running from Saturday 21 November – Thursday 31 December 2026, with a press performance on Thursday 3 December, this year’s pantomime will form part of an especially significant festive season for Hackney Empire as the theatre celebrates its 125th anniversary. There will also be many more surprises, celebrations and unforgettable moments throughout the shows run that will be announced in due course.
Join happy-go-lucky Jack on an epic adventure after he sells his family’s beloved cow for a handful of magic beans, setting off a chain of events that leads high into the clouds. As Jack climbs up the beanstalk, he discovers an enchanted land, a powerful giant and a host of surprises, but can he outsmart the giant and save the day?
Bringing together everything audiences know and love about a Hackney Empire pantomime — huge laughs, toe-tapping songs, dazzling dance numbers, extravagant costumes and plenty of chances for everyone to join in the fun — Jack and the Beanstalk sees Clive Rowe (recently seen in the West End in Hadestown) return to one of his theatrical homes as both director and Dame Trot. Over a span of over 25 years, Olivier Award-winning Rowe has played a host of Dames in Hackney Empire pantomimes, bringing his warmth, energy, and comic fun to generations of audiences. Clive was nominated as Best Director at the UK Pantomime Awards for last year’s production, Cinderella.
Returning for his 21st Hackney Empire pantomime is local legend and Hackney Empire stalwart Kat B (The Wiz, Hackney Empire; A Christmas Carol, Hackney Empire; The Lick, MTV Base) as Simple Simon Trot.
They are joined by Louise Cielecki (Canvas, The Old Rep; Pygmalion, Italy Tour) as Fairy Firethorn; Christopher Staines (The Score, Theatre Royal Haymarket; Ghost Ships, Icon Theatre) as Stephen Fleshcreep; Marina Lawrence-Mahrra (Frankie Goes To Bollywood, UK Tour; Come Fall in Love, Manchester Opera House) as Jack Trot; Summer Priest (Moulin Rouge! The Musical, UK & World Tour; Get Up, Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical, West End) as Jill; and Andre Antonio (Romeo and Juliet, Hackney Empire / Belgrade Theatre / Bristol Old Vic; Sherlock Holmes, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre) as Harp and Timothy Trot.
Completing the company are ensemble members Ellie Greenway (Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, UK And Ireland Tour); Alanna Panditaratne (Anything Goes, Kilworth House); Charlize Indigo, making their professional debut; Charlie Scales (Chess, NYMT / Leicester Curve); Toby Seddon (Fiddler on the Roof, UK Tour; Evita, Leicester Curve); Lara Wollington (Grease, European Tour; Gypsy, Savoy Theatre); and Sam Jamison (Aladdin, Swansea Grand; Candide, Welsh National Opera)
Alongside Clive Rowe as Director, and Writer Will Brenton, the creative team for Jack and The Beanstalk are: Steven Edis (Original Music & Songs), Cleo Pettitt (Set & Costume Design), Wendy Gadian (Musical Director, Arranger, Orchestrator & Supervisor), Mike Ward (Choreographer), Tim Mitchell (Lighting Designer), Richard Bell (Sound Designer), Jake Lawrence (associate Lighting Designer), Sades Robinson-Craft (Costume Supervisor), Clare Packham (Assistant Director), Rosamunde Hutt (Casting Associate), Emily Obasohan (Producer), and Tom Kingdon for Production Solutions Group (Production Manager).
Clive Rowe said, “Hackney Empire panto is always the highlight of my year, and I can’t wait to be back — both as director and causing mischief and mayhem as Dame Trot. There’s something completely unique about the relationship between this theatre, its audiences and its pantomime, and we want to give everyone a show packed with everything they come to Hackney for: brilliant music, huge laughs, fabulous costumes and festive magic. Once again, we have a fantastic company full of jaw dropping talent, who are excited to make this year’s Jack and the Beanstalk another unforgettable Hackney pantomime for the whole family.”
Chris Sudworth, Hackney Empire CEO said: “Pantomime is at the heart of Hackney Empire, so it feels especially fitting that Jack and the Beanstalk will take us through the theatre’s 125th birthday this December. Clive, Kat and this brilliant company represent so much of what audiences love about Hackney panto, and this year we intend to make the celebrations bigger still. We have a few very special surprises in store as the anniversary approaches — including some familiar faces joining us along the way — and there is much more to announce over the coming week – watch this space!”
