YOUR local Guardian has Family tickets to see Dick Whittington at the Hackney Empire on December 4.

Following last year's box office-breaking roaring Twenties version of Cinderella, the Hackney Empire returns with a rip- roaring swash buckling version of Dick Whittington.

Think Jack Sparrow meets Indiana Jones with more than a squirt of Hairspray, all set in Medieval London.

Dick Whittington sees the return of the dame of dames, yes the Olivier Award winning Clive Rowe (Chicago, Caroline Or Change, Into The Woods), who plays Sarah the Cook, whilst David Ashley, the tall half of last years Ugly Sisters returns to play King Rat.

The much loved and "utterly terrific" (The Times) Tameka Empson (Beautiful Thing, Three Non Blondes, The Big Life) returns as Fairy Bowbells, with Hackney Panto fave and MTV/Choice FM star Kat returning to Mare St to play Idle Jack, following his much-praised role of Wishy Washy in Aladdin.

The title role is played by Hannah Jane Fox, who returns to the London stage for the first time since her acclaimed run playing Scaramouche in We Will Rock You.

Watch out for further cast announcements over the coming weeks.

"That doyenne of panto" (Time Out) Susie McKenna leads the creative team as writer/director, with Hackney panto regulars Steven Edis (Musical Director - RSC, Old Vic, National), Lotte Collett (Costume and Set Design - BBC, NYT, Lyric Hammersmith) and Carl Parris (Choreography) who all return to bring back "The perfect family pantomime" (The Independent).

Forget posh panto come to the East End for some REAL panto that will leave you (and your bank manager) cheering!

Hackney Empire
291 Mare St,
London
E8 1EJ
Box Office 020 8985 2424
www.hackneyempire.co.uk

Shows from December 1 until January 12. Tickets £19.50 - £9.50 + concessions.