FIRST LOOK: Cinderella at Hackney Empire - Christmas 2017

Cinderella is set to go to the ball in this year's family pantomime Cinderella at the Hackney Empire Theatre until 31 December 2017.

This Christmas, Harlem meets Hackney in the classic rags to riches tale of Cinderella. In true Hackney Empire style that brings West End value at East End prices, this magical, family pantomime will be packed with glittering sets, big song and dance numbers, slapstick comedy plus a flying horse, all played out in the beautiful Victorian Theatre.

Established West End performer Aisha Jawando (Motown the Musical, Beautiful) will be stepping into the glass slippers of the title role. She is joined by Hackney Empire pantomime legends Tony Whittle and Kat B as the Ugly Sisters. Peter Straker (Hair, Tommy) reprises the role of Baron Hardup, having last played the role in 2011, Darren Hart (Justin’s House, Gigglebiz) plays Buttons, writer and director Susie McKenna (Cats, Ragtime) will also be taking on the role of Wicked Stepmother and Krysten Cummings (RENT original cast) plays Fairy Godmother.  Making their Hackney Empire pantomime debuts are West End performers Stephane Anelli (Saturday Night Fever, Singing in the Rain) as Dandini and Chris Jenkins (Billy Elliot, War of the Worlds) as Prince Charming. The production also features Sharon D Clarke and Clarke Peters as the voices of Duchess and Duke Mouse. The cast also includes Chloe Ames, Thomas Audibert, Andrew Carthy, Raffaella Covino, Sinead Long and Dale White.

Cinderella is written and directed by Susie McKenna with original music by Steven Edis, the creative force behind Hackney's pantomime for the past two decades.

Photos by Robert Workman

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Check out our 2017-18 Pantomime Guide

Aisha Jawando (Cinderella) and Chris Jenkins (Prince Charming) in Hackney's Cinderella

Tony Whittle and Kat B (Ugly Sisters) and Stephane Anelli (Dandini) in Hackney's Cinderella

Stephan Anelli (Dandini) and the company of Hackney's Cinderella

Krysten Cummings (Fairy Godmother), Aisha Jawando (Cinderella) in Hackney's Cinderella

Kat B and Tony Whittle as Ugly Sisters in Hackney's Cinderella

Aisha Jawando (Cinderella) and Chris Jenkins (Prince Charming) in Hackney's Cinderella

Krysten Cummings (Fairy Godmother) and Aisha Jawando (Cinderella) in Hackney's Cinderella

Kat B and Tony Whittle (Ugly Sisters) and Peter Straker (Baron Hardup_ in Hackney's Cinderella

Darren Hart (Buttons) and Aisha Jawando (Cinderella) in Hackney's Cinderella

Stephane Anelli (Dandini) and Chris Jenkins (Prince Charming) in Cinderella

Kat B and Tony Whittle as the Ugly Sisters with Susie McKenna as Wicked Stepmother in Cinderella

Tony Whittle and Kat B as the Ugly Sisters in Hackney Empire's Cinderella

Darren Hart as Buttons with Clapton in Hackney Empire's Cinderella

Krysten Cummings as Fairy Godmother in Cinderella at Hackney Empire