Hackney Empire Archives - North West End UK

Dick Whittington and His Cat – Hackney Empire

7Dec

By Alan Stuart MalinNo Comments

London

Dick Whittington and His Cat – Hackney Empire

Hackney Empire’s 25th pantomime, ‘Dick Whittington and His Cat’, directed by and starring Clive Rowe, promised festive cheer and nostalgic charm. However, despite flashes of brilliance, this production falls short of being the “must-see” panto in London this year. The script, penned by Will Brenton, lacked substance, relying heavily on recycled gags and predictable puns. The pacing was uneven, with a bloated first act dragging on before a slightly more engaging second act. Even the customary audience participation felt half-hearted, a surprising miss for a genre known for its infectious energy and considering Hackney Empire’s successful track record for pantomimes! Photo: Mark Senior Performances were a mixed bag. Kandaka Moore, as Dick Whittington, showcased a stunning vocal rang...

17Sep

By Alan Stuart MalinNo Comments

London

Myra DuBois: Be Well – Hackney Empire

Myra DuBois returned to the stage at the Hackney Empire with her irreverent brand of comedy, leaving the audience in stitches, and occasionally wincing with disbelief. Presented as a "wellness sermon," ‘Myra DuBois: Be Well’ promised a fresh perspective on mental health, but what we really got was a night of rapid-fire wit, punchy audience reads, and the occasional awkward pause. The show opened with Frank Lavender, another of Gareth Joyner’s comic personas. Lavender, a relic of 1980s northern stand-up, played on his outdated attitudes with impeccable timing. Red-faced and sequined, Lavender delivered his gags with more cheese than precision, striking just the right balance of nostalgia and absurdity, generating more than a few belly laughs and a high level of energy across the audi...

<strong>Mother Goose – Hackney Empire</strong>

2Dec

By Anisha PucadyilNo Comments

London

Mother Goose – Hackney Empire

Mother Goose feels like that glass of mulled wine on a cold Christmassy evening. It has the rounded flavours, tastiest spices and leaves you smiling. If you want to join festive spirits, this is one celebration you wish to attend. The pantomime pays a fitting tribute to the ongoing 120 years that Hackney Empire came into being. The play brings together the familiar pantomime elements with some spectacular performances. A true testimony to this production's universality is to have younglings, grandparents and a 25-year-old celebrating their birthday in the audience! You will not be disappointed. Mother Goose is bright! Clive Rowe's presence and voice soar to the skies. The set is technicolour rainbow bursts of sunshine, the music lifts spirits while the improvised lyrics make you giggle ...

24Oct

By Anisha PucadyilNo Comments

London

An Improbable Musical – Hackney Empire

An Improbable musical is a fun mixture of drama, music and theatre. The Hackney Empire is a fitting venue with its splendour of old-world charm and stunning productions. In the 120 years since its inception, it has played host to important and admired comedy legends. An Improbable Musical unfolds in front of you with improv magic, live music and puppetry. The team created a full-length play of varied characters with suggestions from the audience, all on the spot! Superb stagecraft, some stereotypical theatrical choices talented actors and musicians made this an enjoyable watch. Improvised theatre brings such joy due to the element of surprise for the audience and the performers on stage, tearing apart the fourth wall. With seasoned players like Lee Simpson and Josie Lawrence, joined ...

27Oct

By Pooja SivaramanNo Comments

London

Vanara — Hackney Empire

Vanara has all the ingredients to make for an epic musical: an ancient legend, a talented cast, a live orchestra, beautiful costumes, and a community of eager eyes awaiting its release. The show had its world premiere this weekend at the Hackney Empire, a fitting venue for the grandeur the story promises. Vanara is the story of two tribes: the Kogallisk, servants of the moon, and the Pana, servants of the sun. The Kogallisk live on a mountain and hone the power of fire, a secret power which they must protect from the thieving Panas, who according to legend can steal a Kogallisk’s inner fire by looking them straight in the eyes. The Panas do not have access to this fire, and so must hunt and trade to remain alive. What then ensues is a battle between the two tribes, with two star-crossed lo...