Cinderella
next weekend in London
Hackney Empire's Cinderella brings panto magic, big laughs and a fairy-tale makeover to a family Christmas classic.
⭐3.6
Joan Miquel Llobera Ramis ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Sarah Clifford ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Meera Shah ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Susan Harrison ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Jana Peterhaensel ⭐
Craig Otero ⭐⭐⭐
R K Dosanjh ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pauline Hamilton ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Jen ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Nic ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Mr David Pirrie ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Mrs Asha Shah ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Jacklyn Haynes ⭐
Gavin Sheridan ⭐
MR FERMIN MARTIN TASENDE ⭐⭐⭐
Miss Ouled-Zaoui ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Things to Know Before You Go
Updated: Tue 14 Jul, 06:00 London time
Is there a Saturday matinee for Cinderella next weekend?
No Saturday performance next weekend.
What time does the Cinderella Sunday show start next weekend?
No Sunday performance next weekend.
What's the cheapest Cinderella performance next weekend?
Check the performance list above for prices.
First panto for a small child — does Hackney Empire actually deliver the full British tradition?
It does, and arguably more authentically than the central London commercial pantos. Clive Rowe's Hackney production keeps all the architecture — the Dame (the Ugly Sisters here), Buttons as Cinderella's confidant, the slosh scene, the call-and-response 'oh yes he is', the audience song sheet — and stages it with a properly mixed local audience that responds. If your child has only ever seen pantomime on a screen, this is the room to introduce them to the live form.
How participatory does it actually get — and where should you sit if you've got a shy child?
Very. Several scenes are built around audience response, the Ugly Sisters work the front rows directly, and Buttons brings children up on stage for the song sheet. If your child is shy, the dress circle keeps you out of the spotlight while still giving full sound and sightlines; the stalls front five rows are where the cast pick volunteers. The upper circle at the Hackney has a real overhang — fine, but you lose some of the floor.
Hackney Empire as a building — anything to know practically?
Frank Matcham's 1901 auditorium is one of the most beautiful surviving variety theatres in the country and worth ten minutes before curtain. The Empire's slightly stagey rake means children sit higher and see better than they do at most West End houses; the bar queues, on the other hand, are dense at the interval and you're better served by the cafés around Mare Street pre-show. Overground to Hackney Central; the building is two minutes from the station.
Is Cinderella at the Hackney Empire suitable for young children?
Yes. This production is designed as a family pantomime and welcomes children, though very little ones may find the volume and excitement a bit overwhelming at times. Expect some gentle spooky moments and a lot of noisy fun, but nothing genuinely frightening. If your child enjoys cartoons and lively stories, they are likely to have a wonderful time.
What sort of humour can we expect from this Cinderella?
The humour is classic pantomime: playful, silly and often delightfully daft, with plenty of visual gags for younger children and quick one-liners aimed at the adults. The show is written to be enjoyed across generations, so grandparents, parents and kids should all find something to laugh at.
Is there audience participation in the show?
Absolutely. Audience participation is at the heart of pantomime. You can expect to shout out warnings, cheer for Cinderella, boo the villains and perhaps even see a few brave volunteers join the cast on stage. If you prefer to stay seated, that’s perfectly fine too – no one is forced into the spotlight.
How long does Cinderella run, and is there an interval?
Pantomimes typically run for around two to two and a half hours, including an interval roughly halfway through. Exact timings can vary slightly by performance, but there is always a break to stretch your legs, visit the facilities or grab a snack with the children.
Do we need to dress up for the pantomime?
There is no dress code, and many people come straight from a festive day out or from work. Smart-casual is common, but you will also see children in fancy dress or Christmas jumpers. The most important thing is that you and your family feel comfortable and ready to join in the fun.
About this show
Swap London’s winter streets for a glittering world of fairy-tale fun as Cinderella brings traditional pantomime magic to the Hackney Empire. With outrageous Ugly Sisters, a kindly Fairy Godmother and a pumpkin that is absolutely not staying a pumpkin for long, this is classic British panto packed with songs, silliness and audience participation.
Follow Cinderella from the drudgery of the kitchen to the sparkle of the royal ball, helped along the way by new friends, bad jokes and one very important glass slipper. A warm, raucous night out for families, first-time theatregoers and panto loyalists, this Cinderella keeps all the beloved traditions while giving them a fresh, Hackney twist.
Other musicals next weekend
Six
Cabaret
Hadestown
Abba Voyage
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Tower of London
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