Hackney Empire announces full cast for this year’s pantomime Cinderella

Hackney Empire has announced the full cast and creative team for its 2025 pantomime Cinderella, directed by Olivier Award-winner Clive Rowe. The production runs from Saturday 22 November to Wednesday 31 December.

Taking on the title role is Siobhan James, a graduate of Hackney Empire’s Creative Futures programme, whose professional credits include Moulin Rouge in the West End and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat on tour. She is joined by Jade Johnson (Cable Street, Southwark Playhouse; & Juliet, UK Tour) as the Fairy Godmother and Nicholas McLean (The Addams Family, Wicked) as Buttons. Alexandra Waite-Roberts (The Witches, National Theatre; Cinderella, Gillian Lynne Theatre) will play the Wicked Stepmother.

Comedy favourite Kat B returns for his 20th Hackney pantomime as Flatula, one of the Ugly Sisters, alongside George Heyworth (Bourgeois & Maurice) as Nausea, the other Ugly Sister. Chrissie Bhima (Tina! The Musical) takes on the role of Dandini, with Luke Latchman (Sunset Boulevard, The Savoy; 42 Balloons, The Lowry) as Prince Charming.

Cast

The ensemble includes Christian De-Gallerie, Alex Ferro, Vieve Hamilton, Anna Maria Barber, Eloise Simpson, Clio Tamai and Matthew Tratch. Both James and De-Gallerie have risen through Hackney Empire’s development initiatives, highlighting the theatre’s long-standing commitment to nurturing local talent.

Executive Director and CEO Jo Hemmant said: “It feels very special to be announcing the full cast and creative team for Cinderella, which will be my last pantomime as Executive Director here. Hackney pantomime has always been about joy, community and world-class talent on our stage, and this year will be no exception. Cinderella promises to be a truly magical finale to my time at Hackney Empire.”

The creative team features writer Will Brenton, composer Steven Edis, costume designer Cleo Pettitt, musical director Wendy Gadian, choreographer Michael Ward, lighting designer Tim Mitchell, and sound designer Richard Bell.

Tickets for Cinderella are on sale now via hackneyempire.co.uk.