Take a look at the production images of Hackney Empire’s pantomime for 2018 – Aladdin – on now until Sunday January 6.

In the 20 years that Susie McKenna and Steven Edis have worked together on Hackney Empire’s pantomime, there have been a staggering 2,000 costumes, 15,000 magical flashes and 20,000 sheets of music.

The pair are back doing what they do best – creating a witty and engaging pantomime that’s perfect for all the family with their landmark production of Aladdin, which is now in to full swing.

Production images were released yesterday and, as you can see, the creative team have put together a colourful and vibrant show which features a number of characters who have appeared in a number of the venue’s previous pantomimes.

The Olivier Award-winning Grande Dame is Clive Rowe and Tameka Empson (Eastenders’ Kim Fox) returns to play The Empress in her first appearance at the panto in nine years. Gemma Sutton takes the lead role, Julie Yammannee is Princess Ling Mai and Kat B appears as the Genie of the Lamp.

The panto has grown from humble beginnings to become one of the most well-known Christmas shows in London, and director McKenna says we’re to expect “an event of pure escapism to bring families together.”

Keep browsing to see our full gallery of images, or click here for more details and tickets.