THIS IS LONDON NOVEMBER EDITION 2025 - Flipbook - Page 10
HACKNEY EMPIRE PANTOMIME
CINDERELLA
Hackney Empire brings festive joy to
East London this year with its
pantomime, Cinderella, directed by
Olivier Award-winning panto favourite
Clive Rowe. The production runs until
31 December and promises all the
sparkle, humour and heart that define
Hackney’s celebrated holiday tradition.
Taking centre stage is Siobhan
James, who returns to the very theatre
where her performance journey began.
From stepping onto the Empire stage at
the age of three for her first ballet recital
to honing her craft through the Creative
Futures Artist Development Programme,
James’ role as Cinderella marks a
meaningful moment. ‘From three years
old in my first ballet show, through to
dancing in ADP and now returning home
as Cinderella, it’s a divine full-circle
moment,’ she says.
This year’s production continues
Hackney Empire’s commitment to
nurturing emerging talent through its
Creative Futures Young Associates
programme. Three trainee Musical
Directors – Emi Balseviciute, Joedane
Brown and Tjai Coleallison – work
closely with Musical Director Wendy
Gadian, gaining handson experience in
rehearsal and
performance as they
develop their
musicianship in a
professional setting.
The theatre also expands
its community
engagement by offering
bespoke pre-show
workshops for three local
primary schools. These
creative, cross-curricular
sessions introduce
children to the story and
themes of Cinderella,
inspiring curiosity and
encouraging young
people to discover the
Photo: perou
magic of theatre.
Hackney Empire further
strengthens its long-standing
partnership with Vestry Dance School,
whose talented young dancers appear as
the Young Ensemble under the
choreography of Michael Ward.
‘Cinderella is everything Hackney
Empire stands for – joy, community and
world-class talent, with homegrown
artists at its heart,’ says Executive
Director and CEO Jo Hemmant.
Complete with extravagant costumes,
uplifting music and classic pantomime
fun, Cinderella invites audiences into a
sparkling rags-to-riches adventure.
For further information and tickets,
visit www.hackneyempire.co.uk
AGATHA CHRISTIE’S THE
MOUSETRAP WELCOMES NEW CAST
Producer, Brian Fenty, is welcoming
the critically acclaimed and awardwinning theatre, film, and opera director,
Ola Ince, as the new director of Agatha
Christie’s iconic thriller and the world’s
longest running play, The Mousetrap.
Brian Fenty said of Ola: ‘I’m genuinely
thrilled to welcome Ola Ince to The
Mousetrap. Ola is a force of nature – a
director who understands what it means
to be both a steward of history and a
challenger of complacency. Her creative
instinct is first-class, and her care and
love for Agatha Christie’s world is as
heartening as it is inspiring.
‘Our play has an extraordinary legacy
– 30,000 performances and counting –
and under Ola’s care, it will continue to
feel alive, relevant, and full of possibility.
I’m equally delighted to welcome our
new cast. Together with Ola and our
Artistic Director, Denise Silvey, they’ll
ensure that Christie’s timeless mystery
continues to surprise and captivate
audiences for generations to come.’
As news spreads of a murder in
London, a group of seven strangers find
themselves snowed in at Monkswell
Manor, a remote countryside
guesthouse. When a police sergeant
arrives, the guests discover – to their
horror – that a killer is in their midst.
One by one, the suspicious characters
reveal their sordid pasts. Which one is
the murderer? Who will be their next
victim? www.themousetrap.com
T H I S I S L O N D O N M A G A Z I N E • T H I S I S L O N D O N O N L I N E • w w w. t i l . c o m • @ t h i s i s l o n d o n m a g
Photo: Matt Crockett.
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