IMAGE RELEASE – Wednesday 4 December 2019

IMAGES CAN BE DOWNLOADED HERE / Facebook / Instagram/ website

PRODUCTION IMAGES RELEASED FOR DICK WHITTINGTON AND HIS CAT AT

Tarinn Callender (centre) and the cast of Dick Whittington and His Cat at Hackney Empire. Credit Robert Workman

• THEY’RE HERE – OH YES, THEY ARE! HACKNEY EMPIRE RELEASES PRODUCTION IMAGES FOR DICK WHITTINGTON AND HIS CAT AHEAD OF PRESS NIGHT THIS EVENING

• CAST INCLUDES CLIVE ROWE, TARINN CALLENDER, ANNETTE MCLAUGHLIN, KAT B, TONY WHITTLE, CHRISTINA TEDDERS AND SUE KELVIN IN ’S FAVOURITE PANTOMIME

• BRAND NEW IMAGES AVAILABLE TO DOWNLOAD HERE

• PERFORMANCES WILL RUN UNTIL 5 JANUARY 2020

Hackney Empire today releases production images of its sparkling new pantomime production Dick Whittington and his Cat which runs at the East End venue until 5 January 2020, with press night taking place this evening. Grand Dame Clive Rowe celebrates his 13th panto appearance at Hackney Empire and this year stars as Sarah the Cook, Tarinn Callender, recently seen as Hercules Mulligan and James Madison in Hamilton, plays the title role of Dick Whittington, Annette McLaughlin (Harry Potter and The Cursed Child) marks her debut panto performance as Queen Rat alongside debuts from Christina Tedders (Once The Musical) as Alice Fitzwarren and Sue Kelvin (Caroline, Or Change) as Fairy Bowbells, and Hackney stalwarts Kat B returns as Vincent the Cat with the ever-trusty Tony Whittle as Alderman Fitzwarren. The full ensemble includes Jemma Geanaus as Maia the Mermaid, Tom Lloyd as Boris, Laura Mullowney, Leah Harris, Anu Ogunmefun, Benjamin Drew and Andre Fabien-Francis, and Leon Sweeney operating the puppet Kong.

The production marks a record 21st pantomime from Writer and Director Susie McKenna with Original Music by Steven Edis who will once again bring all the Hackney trademark magic and spectacle in a dazzling reimagining of this classic rags-to-riches tale, bursting with laugh-out-loud topical gags, knockabout comedy, show-stopping song and dance numbers, the most boo-able baddies and enough festive cheer to fuel a ship half way round the world. In Jamaica, young Dick Whittington is boarding the Empire Windrush, chasing the dream of a new life in the gold-paved streets of glorious London. Little does he know, magic awaits him and his enchanted feline friend far across the ocean… He’ll embark on the adventure of a lifetime: reuniting with his Mum, fighting rodent royalty, meeting an eccentric fairy and winning the heart of his true love – all whilst trying to find fame and fortune.

Dick Whittington and His Cat brings together the creative team of Writer and Director Susie McKenna, Original Music by Steven Edis, Production Design by Lotte Collett, Musical Direction by Mark Dickman, Choreography by Richard Roe, Lighting Design by David Howe, Sound Design by Daniel Higgott and Creature Design by Scott Brooker. Tickets are on sale at www.hackneyempire.co.uk. -ENDS- For further information please contact The Corner Shop PR on 020 7831 7657 Su-Ann Chow-Seegoolam | Olivia O’Neill

LISTINGS

DICK WHITTINGTON AND HIS CAT A Hackney Empire Pantomime

Hackney Empire, 291 Mare Street, E8 1EJ

First performance: Saturday 23 November 2019 Press night: Wednesday 4 December, 7PM Final performance: Sunday 5 January 2020

Signed Performances 7 December 2.30pm and 7pm and 12 December 1.30pm and 7pm

Dementia Friendly and Relaxed Performance 7 December 2.30pm with familiarisation tour at 12.45pm (advance booking required) www.hackneyempire.co.uk 020 8985 2424 Please Note: Children under 14 years need to be accompanied at all times by a paying adult Tickets from £10 - £38, A+ seating £42 - £32, concessions available Groups of 10+ discount available at certain of performances Twitter: @hackneyempire Facebook: /HackneyEmpire Instagram: /HackneyEmpire

NOTES TO EDITORS

BIOGRAPHIES

Susie McKenna (Director/Writer) has written and directed 21 critically acclaimed pantomimes at Hackney Empire, plus three other Christmas shows. Early in her career she played principal boy at Nottingham Playhouse for eight years. Her most recent directing credits include King concert and Legacy (Hackney Empire), Oranges and Elephants ( Hall) and The Silver Sword, written by Susie and Steven Edis. Other credits include Blues in the Night (Hackney Empire and transferring to the Kiln this summer), A Midsummer Night’s Madness (Hackney Empire, New York and Edinburgh Festival) and Once on this Island (Hackney Empire, Birmingham Rep, Nottingham Playhouse). She was nominated for the League of Professional Theatre Women’s Guild/Coigney International Theatre Award for developing international links. She has also worked as an actor for over 30 years and credits include Chicago, Cats, Ragtime and The Witches of Eastwick in the West End, TV shows such as Mr Bean and Casualty and films such as Cats, Jack and Sarah and Muppets Most Wanted.

Steven Edis (Musical Composer) has produced a magical mix of musical mash-ups, chart remixes and brand new music for the Hackney Empire pantomimes and this will be his 21st year of creating another original score. Steven has worked with the National Theatre, in the West End and on a variety of prestigious projects as composer, arranger and orchestrator. Recent credits include Agnes Colander (Ustinov Studio), By Jeeves (Old Laundry Theatre), A Christmas Carol (Noel Coward). Previous credits include Volpone (RSC), The Captain of Köpenick (National Theatre), She Loves Me and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead (Chichester Festival Theatre), A Chorus of Disapproval, Flare Path and Birdsong for the West End. Steven brings his vast experience to create a musical score that rivals a West End musical.

Clive Rowe (Sarah the Cook) returns following a triumphant East End comeback in last year’s 20th anniversary production of Aladdin which saw him receive the accolade for Best Dame in the 2019 Great British Pantomime Awards. He has played the Dame in 12 pantomime appearances at Hackney Empire, and previously in Dick Whittington in 2007. He recently appeared in Blues in the Night at the Kiln, also directed by Susie McKenna. Rowe was recognised with an MBE in the 2017 New Year’s Honours list. His extensive theatre credits include his Olivier Award-winning performance in Guys and Dolls (National Theatre), The Light Princess, Carousel (for which he was nominated for an Olivier Award), Fuente Ovejuna, Caroline, or Change, The Villains Opera, Money, Candide, Peter Pan (all National Theatre), Kiss Me, Kate (Chichester and Old Vic Theatre), The Ladykillers (West End and UK Tour), Me and My Girl (Chichester Festival Theatre) and In The Willows (UK tour). He is well known for his role as Duke in the BBC’s The Story of Tracey Beaker and has been seen in the Disney series The Evermoor.

Tarinn Callender (Dick Whittington) will make his debut panto performance at the Hackney Empire for Christmas 2019. Tarinn made his West End debut in 2017 playing the dual roles of Hercules Mulligan and James Madison in the original London cast of Hamilton (). He also performed with the company at the 2018 Olivier Awards ceremony. His other theatre credits include Paul in Kiss Me, Kate.

Annette McLaughlin (Queen Rat) has performed in numerous West End productions and international tours. Her recent career highlights include Harry Potter and The Cursed Child (Palace Theatre), Pinocchio (National Theatre), Billy Elliot (UK Tour), Twelfth Night (Shakespeare’s Globe), Matilda (), Volpone, Measure for Measure, Love’s Sacrifice, The Jew of Malta, Written on the Heart (RSC), Kneehigh’s production of Brief Encounter (UK, Australian tour, US tour and Broadway), Chicago (West End) Anything Goes (Drury Lane), Our Town (), She Loves Me, 5/11, and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying -TMA nomination (Chichester Festival Theatre). Christina Tedders (Alice Fitzwarren) made her professional and West End debut in the original London cast of Once The Musical (Phoenix Theatre). Other theatre roles include The Commitments (UK Tour), Carmen the Gypsy (NT Studio//Tour), the title role of Maggie May (Liverpool's Royal Court) and Oranges & Elephants (). Her screen credits include ITV’s Victoria.

Sue Kelvin (Fairy Bowbells) recently appeared in Caroline, Or Change at and in the West End transfer at the in the role of Grandma Gellman, and previously as Madame Morrible in Wicked (Apollo). Other credits include Jonathan Kent's Private Lives () and Barmitzvah Boy (Upstairs at the Gatehouse). Sue also regularly performs as a jazz and cabaret singer.

Kat B (Uncle Vincent the Cat) is a familiar face to Hackney Empire audiences following numerous appearances including as the Genie of the Lamp in last year’s Aladdin, and he has previously performed in Dick Whittington in 2012. Other Hackney pantos include Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Jack and the Beanstalk, Mother Goose, Puss in Boots, Cinderella, The Wiz and A Christmas Carol. Kat is best known for MTV Base where he has presented shows around the world. His film and television credits include Waterland and Street Wise (BBC) and the Richard Blackwood Show (). He is also the resident host of the Real Deal Comedy Jam and a regular on the Jongleurs Circuit.

Tony Whittle (Alderman Fitzwarren) is a seasoned Empire panto performer most recently seen as Sergeant Dumplin’ in Aladdin in 2018. His many previous pantomimes include Sleeping Beauty, Dick Whittington, Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk and Mother Goose. Other extensive theatre credits include Les Misérables (Palace Theatre), Neville’s Island (Bolton Octagon), Fur Coat and No Knickers (Nottingham Playhouse), A View From the Bridge (), and three seasons at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre.