Hackney Empire’s panto cow down to final five in search for most moovelous panto cow

Panto cow could secure �1,000 for Hackney Empire

Hackney Empire’s Buttercup is down to the final five, in a hunt to find the nation’s most moovelous panto cow.

Residents are being urged to vote for the break-dancing bovine, which is performing in this winter’s production of Jack and The Beanstalk.

The black and white Fresian who likes a bit of bling could secure �1,000 for the cash-strapped theatre, which was closed temporarily for nine months to consider its financial position following last year’s panto.

The competition is being run by ice cream makers Ben & Jerry’s, whose team has scoured the nation’s stages to find the cream of the pantomime crop, based on criteria including dance skills, improvisation, stage presence, style and cow quirkiness.

“Buttercup is no average panto cow…in fact we’d say she’s fairly nuts,” said a spokeswoman for Ben and Jerry’s.

“She fancies herself more streetwise than most rural-born Friesian thesps. She will be showcasing her biggest talent, street dancing - and boy can she moove those hooves - udderly spectacular.”

She is competing against Daisy from The Stag theatre in Sevenoaks, Kent, Dave from the Porthcawl Grand Pavilion in Wales, Clarabelle from the Kings Lynn Corn Exchange Theatre in Norfolk and Ermentrude from the Darwen Library Theatre in Blackburn.

To make your voice herd and vote for Buttercup, go to www.benjerry.co.uk