HACKNEY EMPIRE ANNOUNCES FULL CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM FOR CINDERELLA

RISING STARS WITH HACKNEY ROOTS TAKE CENTRE STAGE,AS CREATIVE FUTURES ALUMNA SIOBHAN JAMES IS ANNOUNCED AS ‘CINDERELLA’

Following the success of 2024’s pantomime, Dick Whittington and his Cat, Hackney Empire is pleased to announce the full cast and creative team for the 2025 pantomime Cinderella, directed by Clive Rowe.

Cinderella will play from Saturday 22 November – Wednesday 31 December, with a press night on Thursday 4 December at 7pm.

This festive season you shall go to the ball, as the magic of Cinderella comes to Hackney Empire!

Cinderella dreams of a life full of love and adventure, and free from the clutches of her Ugly Sisters and Wicked Stepmother. When an invitation to the party of the year arrives, it might be just the ticket she needs. Throw in some glass slippers, a fairy godmother, and a little sparkle of magic and you’ve got yourself a pantomime that’s guaranteed to be the perfect fit!

This classic rags to riches tale will come to life in Hackney, featuring all your favourite pantomime ingredients. From an unbelievable cast to extravagant costumes, from audience participation to sensational song and dance numbers, make sure you book your tickets before the clock strikes twelve!

Cinderella

The cast of Cinderella, in order of appearance, are Jade Johnson (Cable Street, Southwark Playhouse, & Juliet, UK Tour) as the ‘Fairy Godmother’, Siobhan James (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, UK tour, Moulin Rouge, West End, An Officer and A Gentleman, UK tour) as ‘Cinderella’, Nicholas McLean (The Addams Family, London Palladium and UK Tour; Wicked, Apollo Victoria Theatre) as ‘Buttons’, Alexandra Waite-Roberts (The Witches, National Theatre; Cinderella, Gillian Lynne Theatre) as ‘Oblivia’, the Wicked Stepmother, Kat B returns for his 20^th Hackney Empire pantomime as ‘ Flatula’, an Ugly Sister, George Heyworth (Bourgeois & Maurice, Aladdin, Hackney Empire) as ‘Nausea’, an Ugly Sister, Chrissie Bhima (Tina! the Musical, Aldwych Theatre; The Witches, National Theatre) as ‘Dandini’ and Luke Latchman (Sunset Boulevard, The Savoy; 42 Balloons, The Lowry) as ‘Prince Charming’.

The ensemble joining them are Christian De-Gallerie, Alex Ferro, Vieve Hamilton, Anna Maria Barber, Eloise Simpson, Clio Tamai and Matthew Tratch.

Two cast members of Cinderella have risen through Hackney Empire’s creative development programmes: Siobhan James started out in its cornerstone Creative Futures programme, taking part in the Artist Development Programme, Young Producers, and a production of Macbeth which subsequently toured to Edinburgh. Christian De-Gallerie first appeared in pantomime at Hackney Empire as a member of the Young Ensemble and returns to be part of Cinderella, following his ensemble role in Aladdin (2023).

Siobhan James said, “From three years old in my first ballet show, through to dancing in ADP and now returning home as Cinderella, a divine full circle moment.”

Alongside Clive Rowe as Director, the creative team for Cinderella are Will Brenton (Writer), Steven Edis (Original Music & Songs), Cleo Pettitt (Costume Designer & Design Overview), Wendy Gadian (Musical Director, Musical Arranger), Michael Ward (Choreographer), Tim Mitchell (Lighting Designer) and Richard Bell (Sound Designer).

Jo Hemmant, Hackney Empire Executive Director and CEO said:” It feels very special to be announcing the full cast and creative team for Cinderella, which will be my last pantomime as Executive Director here. Hackney pantomime has always been about joy, community and world-class talent on our stage, and this year will be no exception. Cinderella promises to be a truly magical finale to my time at Hackney Empire.”

Tickets for all performances are on sale now.