Over two and a half decades, Hackney Empire has built a legendary reputation for staging one of the biggest and best pantos in London.
Once again, veteran double act Clive Rowe and Kat B will be gracing the stage for a season of shout-outs, singalongs, custard pie throwing, audience participation and song and dance spectaculars.
In its heyday Frank Matcham's Victorian theatre hosted Music Hall stars like Stan Laurel, Marie Lloyd, Charlie Chaplin and Julie Andrews, but in the 60s and 70s it fell into use as a TV studios and bingo hall.
The Mare Street venue was saved in the 80s from threatened demolition and reconverted to a theatre, staging its first panto of the modern era in 1988 with Aladdin starring Peter Duncan.
Writer Will Brenton returns for his fourth Hackney panto, and Steve Edis who supplies original songs and music has been there from the beginning.
Rowe himself is on his 17th Empire panto stint, and with his peerless vocals, and ability to dance in heels, there was probably no need to audition.
"I've got nine costume changes," he says.
"Cleo Pettitt has designed another spectacular set of costumes for me to wear all off them eye catching and dazzling, its impossible to pick a favourite but at least there are no heavy ones this year."
The story is familiar, Dick is searching for fame and fortune, battling rats and falling in love, on the path to becoming the Mayor of London.
Rowe says the audience keep coming back because "it's just great family entertainment."
Although he reveals things don't always run smoothly: "A few years ago the beanstalk refused to fall which meant the front cloth descent took a very long time, as we crossed the stage in-front of the audience and ran around the back and came on again several times!"
Rowe adds: "It's a privilege to be part of this great tradition at the Hackney Empire.
"24 pantos and around one million audience members so far, and we can’t wait to welcome new faces and welcome back familiar faces for festive fun, high jinks, laughter, love and banging tunes."
Dick Whittington and his Cat runs at Hackney Empire from Saturday 23 November to Sunday 5 January 2025.
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