The Hackney Empire has today announced full casting for its beloved annual pantomime, with this year’s brand new show, Sleeping Beauty, featuring Alexia Khadime, Sharon D Clarke and Gavin Spokes.
Alexia, whose starry West End credits include Wicked, The Book Of Mormon and The Lion King, will star as Princess Tahlia on the site of her stage debut, while Olivier Award winner Sharon will return to the Hackney Empire for the first time since 2014 to play wicked fairy godmother Carabosse. Gavin, whose recent performance in Guys And Dolls garnered an Olivier Award nomination, will make his debut as the traditional Dame Nanny Nora.
Returning to the seasonal favourite fixture at the Hackney Empire are Kat B (Denzil the Dragon), Tony Whittle (King Eric of the Undecided), Darren Hart (Ikoboo), Wayne Perrey (Prince Gabriel of Westminsteria) and Georgia Oldman (Shimmerpop), with Kiruna Stamell (Willowsnap) and Sharon Ballard (Blisstip) completing the cast.
Sleeping Beauty will run from 26 November 2016 to 8 January 2017, with the award-winning creative team of Susie McKenna and Steven Edis once again teaming up to hilariously bring the classic story into modern times. Set in the enchanted land of Hackneytonia, the birth of a Princess sees wicked fairy Carabosse cast an evil spell which changes her life forever – will Sleeping Beauty take charge of her own destiny?
Following the smash-hit 2015 show, which was seen by over 55,000 people, the spellbinding family pantomime will be packed with colourful characters, musical showstoppers, magic, sparkle, and, of course, plenty of knockabout comedy.
Tickets are not on sale through the venue’s website… oh yes they are!