Review: CINDERELLA, Hackney Empire

Photo credit: Mark Senior

Hackney Empire is a glorious Frank Matcham designed venue which reopened after refurbishment in 2004 and has staged wonderful, inclusive and enjoyable pantomimes ever since. Kat B has been in every one since that reopening and returns this year starring as Flatula, alongside George Heyworth as Nausea, the gloriously over the top Sisters in this year’s production of Cinderella. They set the show alight from their first routine when they come into the audience to throw sweets as well as pick on a man in the central aisle to teach a call back, which they return to throughout the show. They quickly establish their different personalities and clever comic timing.

Clive Rowe may have stepped back from starring as the Dame in these shows but is now well established as the Director and brings all that experience to the production. Will Brenton’s script gives them all plenty to work on with a very fresh take on a modern Prince (Luke Latchman) with street cred rather than regal airs. There are some good topical gags about The Traitors and Rachel Reeves’ budget, plus a nice twist with the cancellation of the Hardup Hall Ball as the trigger for the Prince’s own Ball. The emphasis is on fun with only a little adult innuendo, but it is all delivered with such enthusiasm and gusto that it is impossible to not be swept along by the energy and joy.

Alexandra Waite Roberts steals every scene she is in as Oblivia, the wicked stepmother, with more than a hunt of Cruella De Vil. Her fabulous eye makeup creates a piercing stare that is hypnotic. She stops the show with her wonderful version of ‘Live Until I Die’ in full Chicago style.

Buttons is played by the fresh-faced Nicholas Mclean as a bundle of innocent fun. He takes successive rounds of “Five Facial Creams” from the Sisters in the ‘12 Days of Christmas’ in good grace, even if its crowd-pleasing inclusion does rather overextend the first act. Cinders, too, is a delight as played by Siobhan James who charms us throughout, as does the ebullient Dandini (Chrissie Bhima). They all sing and dance well and work together as an Ensemble to great effect. It is this creative unity in the cast that really makes the Hackney Empire panto stand out from the plethora of other shows.

The sets are borrowed from Glitter Pantomimes and Imagine Theatre but set the scenes well and Cleo Pettitt’s costumes look the part with some good gags built into the Sisters costumes. The Cinderella dress transformation is rather telegraphed by the huge bustle she wears in the scenes before. They may not be able to afford the massive investment in sets and special effects of the London Palladium show but it a show built with love, care and skill that honours the traditions of pantomime (of course, there is a ghost bench scene) and serves the local community. That is why we think it remains one of the best places in London to enjoy pantomime.

***** Five stars

Reviewed by: Nick Wayne

Cinderella plays at London’s Hackney Empire until 31 December, with further info here.