Hackney Empire Cinderella Pantomime Review 2011
Hackney Empire's annual Christmas pantomime is in my Top 10 Things to do at Christmas in London as it's great musical theater for all the family.
Cast and Creatives
Susie McKenna as the writer and Director has remained the same but other members of the regular crew have moved on.
Clive Rowe is appearing in the West End so isn't in this year's pantomime which will disappoint many as he only has to raise his eyebrows when dressed as a pantomime dame to have the audience eating out of the palm of his hand. Tameka Empson is now in Eastenders as Kim Fox and her impressions of the local girls were missed.
Kat B takes on a key role as one of the ugly sisters along with Tom Whittle as the other 'twin'. Matt Dempsey is great as Cinderella's best friend Buttons whose unrequited love endears him to the audience, along with his cringeworthy puns. Sophie Louise Dann impressed all as the Fairy Godmother, as did Sophia Ragavelas in the starring role with a voice worthy of that casting.
Wayne Perry is Prince Charming and brings another element to the ethnic mix of the show but his performance is totally upstaged by his servant Dandini, played by the American newcomer Tee Jaye, who really shined and it would be wonderful if he could join the team for years to come.
Joanna Riding as Anastia, the Wicked Stepmother, gets the audience screaming when she retorts, "You're just booing because I'm bootiful." She got the adults attention when she added, "I'll sell Hardup Hall and make it a car park for the Olympics," which was one of many clever references to the local area and the buzz about the London 2012 Olympics.
The Show
The costumes and set design are outstanding and seem to get better every year. Rather under-played this year was the tradition of throwing sweets out to the audience as Peter Straker (Baron Hardup) simply doesn't have the the throwing ability of Clive Rowe who could get chocs to the Upper Circle.
The last few years have had some craziness with buckets of water/foam/custard/goo, etc but this was missed out this year. There was a better connection with the audience though as one poor chap got chosen to go up on stage for the ugly sisters rendition of 'Sisters Are Doin' It For Themselves' and they then mentioned him again and again throughout the show. Thankfully he was a good sport and was still laughing when Vic's underwear had his name on in Act Two!
The ugly sisters have a fun scene where they got ready for bed and at one point were wearing football shirts from rival London teams which caused quite a stir with the young audience. The haunted bedroom had the kids screaming, "Over there!" and "It's behind you!" just as you would hope for from pantomime fun. And I can't think of another occasion when, "The candlestick holder grabbed my Doritos!" will ever be used.
Whenever Buttons came on he asked us, "How ya feeling?" to which we had to reply, "Top Banana!" and I expect children will continue this back at home. Matt Dempsey is cute and when the Fairy Godmother told us she'd make sure he fell in love too we all wondered who with but she nabbed him for herself and a review of the show in the Gay Times made me smile when they thought that an unlikely scenario.
There was an audible intake of breath from all the girls in the audience when Cinderella appeared at the top of the stairs to enter the ball as she looked amazing. And this year was the first time I'd seen Bollywood dancing included which made my daughter happy.
Clapton the pantomime horse is back and appears more often than in previous years which was appreciated. The audience gets to learn a song and dance about him which is always fun as the kids are ready to get up and boogie by that point.
The show is great value for money as it lasts around 3 hours with one interval. I did miss Clive Rowe but the team at Hackney Empire have proven they can pull off an amazing show with their talented team. Recommended.
Dates: 26 November 2011 to 8 January 2012
Official website: www.hackneyempire.co.uk
- Hackney Empire Pantomime Reviews:
- 2010: Jack & the Beanstalk
- 2009: Aladdin
- 2008: Mother Goose
- 2007: Dick Whittington and his Cat
- 2006: Cinderella
Cast and Creatives
Susie McKenna as the writer and Director has remained the same but other members of the regular crew have moved on.
Clive Rowe is appearing in the West End so isn't in this year's pantomime which will disappoint many as he only has to raise his eyebrows when dressed as a pantomime dame to have the audience eating out of the palm of his hand. Tameka Empson is now in Eastenders as Kim Fox and her impressions of the local girls were missed.
Kat B takes on a key role as one of the ugly sisters along with Tom Whittle as the other 'twin'. Matt Dempsey is great as Cinderella's best friend Buttons whose unrequited love endears him to the audience, along with his cringeworthy puns. Sophie Louise Dann impressed all as the Fairy Godmother, as did Sophia Ragavelas in the starring role with a voice worthy of that casting.
Wayne Perry is Prince Charming and brings another element to the ethnic mix of the show but his performance is totally upstaged by his servant Dandini, played by the American newcomer Tee Jaye, who really shined and it would be wonderful if he could join the team for years to come.
Joanna Riding as Anastia, the Wicked Stepmother, gets the audience screaming when she retorts, "You're just booing because I'm bootiful." She got the adults attention when she added, "I'll sell Hardup Hall and make it a car park for the Olympics," which was one of many clever references to the local area and the buzz about the London 2012 Olympics.
The Show
The costumes and set design are outstanding and seem to get better every year. Rather under-played this year was the tradition of throwing sweets out to the audience as Peter Straker (Baron Hardup) simply doesn't have the the throwing ability of Clive Rowe who could get chocs to the Upper Circle.
The last few years have had some craziness with buckets of water/foam/custard/goo, etc but this was missed out this year. There was a better connection with the audience though as one poor chap got chosen to go up on stage for the ugly sisters rendition of 'Sisters Are Doin' It For Themselves' and they then mentioned him again and again throughout the show. Thankfully he was a good sport and was still laughing when Vic's underwear had his name on in Act Two!
The ugly sisters have a fun scene where they got ready for bed and at one point were wearing football shirts from rival London teams which caused quite a stir with the young audience. The haunted bedroom had the kids screaming, "Over there!" and "It's behind you!" just as you would hope for from pantomime fun. And I can't think of another occasion when, "The candlestick holder grabbed my Doritos!" will ever be used.
Whenever Buttons came on he asked us, "How ya feeling?" to which we had to reply, "Top Banana!" and I expect children will continue this back at home. Matt Dempsey is cute and when the Fairy Godmother told us she'd make sure he fell in love too we all wondered who with but she nabbed him for herself and a review of the show in the Gay Times made me smile when they thought that an unlikely scenario.
There was an audible intake of breath from all the girls in the audience when Cinderella appeared at the top of the stairs to enter the ball as she looked amazing. And this year was the first time I'd seen Bollywood dancing included which made my daughter happy.
Clapton the pantomime horse is back and appears more often than in previous years which was appreciated. The audience gets to learn a song and dance about him which is always fun as the kids are ready to get up and boogie by that point.
The show is great value for money as it lasts around 3 hours with one interval. I did miss Clive Rowe but the team at Hackney Empire have proven they can pull off an amazing show with their talented team. Recommended.
Dates: 26 November 2011 to 8 January 2012
Official website: www.hackneyempire.co.uk
Source...