Best Christmas shows and pantomimes in Hackney 2018
Clive Rowe, Tameka Empson, Julie Yammanee and Gemma Sutton star in Hackney Empire's Aladdin this Christmas. - Credit: Archant
Our complete guide to panto season in Hackney is here!
The lead cast for Rapunzel at Hoxton Hall. Picture: Graham Bennett - Credit: Archant
It’s panto season (oh no it’s not) and you have my word that there will be no more of these terrible jokes throughout this article. With Peter Pan at Park Theatre, Rapunzel at Hoxton Hall and a special anniversary production of Aladdin at Hackney Empire, there’s more choice for you and your family here than there is in a Roses selection box. Read on for our top picks for Christmas shows in Hackney and Islington.
Aladdin at Hackney Empire
Hackney Empire’s highly acclaimed panto promises bundles of fun, song, dance, slapstick comedy and audience inclusion. Aladdin is the 20th annual production from dream team Susie McKenna and Steve Edis, who have built one of the best pantomimes in London throughout the course of two decades. 2018’s offering sees us whisked away to the island kingdom of Ha Ka Ney to follow the classic tale of Aladdin (Gemma Sutton) with Princes Ling Mai (Julie Yammanee) and the Genie (Kat B) also starring.
Clive Rowe appears as Widow Twankey and Eastenders' Tameka Empson plays The Empress. Picture: mrperou - Credit: Archant
November 24 to January 6, tickets here.
Rapunzel @ Hoxton Hall
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The Grade II-listed Hoxton Hall is an atmospheric venue tailor-made for enchanting panto performance. After the successes of last year’s Puss in Boots, the same creative team are in place for this seasons’ offering of Rapunzel, which will feature Keshini Misha in the lead role and Jack Reitman as the prince. Tickets start from just £12.50 and the theatre is partnering with Hackney Council to bring the show to disadvantaged local families who otherwise wouldn’t be able to come.
Hoxton Hall team up with Millfield Theatre for Rapunzel, which starts on December 13. Picture: Graham Bennett - Credit: Archant
December 13-30, tickets here.
Buttons: A Cinderella Story @ King’s Head Theatre
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Buttons takes the tale of Cinderella and gives it a side-splitting, mischievous new lease of life. The production sees Charles Court Opera and King’s Head Theatre team up once more, as they present their story featuring a villainous Prince Charming, the Fairy Godmother and “more double-entendres than you can shake your tutu at.” With family-friendly matinees and evening performances for a slightly more mature audience, this one’s a creative and engaging watch that keeps the charm of a classic panto all the same.
Buttons offers a hilarious take on the story of Cinderella. Picture: Bill Knight - Credit: Archant
November 28 to January 2, tickets here.
How to Catch a Krampus @ The Pleasance
Cheery and heart wearming this one certainly ain’t. In a dark departure from your standard panto set-up, How to Catch a Krampus brings an “anthology of terrifying stories and spooked out songs” to the Pleasance. Presented and performed by Sink the Pink, expect drag queens, show-stopping numbers and mind-bending magic in a show that has won favour with the critics as one of the most quirky Christmas shows in London this year.
Sink the Pink's How to Catch a Krampus is on at The Pleasance throughout December. Picture: Ali Wright. - Credit: Archant
November 13 to December 23, tickets here.
