The Hackney Empire's annual pantomime has long been synonymous with the towering presence of Clive Rowe, a performer so integral he has both starred in and directed the festive shows in recent years. For 2025, however, the stage at the beloved East London theatre presents a new dynamic: Rowe is directing only, sitting out a performance of Cinderella due to his purist stance that the tale lacks a true dame role. The result is a fun and classy production that earns a solid three out of five stars, proving the show's heart can beat strongly even when its most famous star is offstage.
A Villainous Heart and a Stellar Ensemble
Freed from the shadow of a single dominating performance, this year's panto allows its ensemble to flourish. The production's core strength lies delightfully with its villains. Alexandra Waite-Roberts is a superb pantomime villain as Oblivia, Cinderella's stepmother, whose wickedness includes a dark past she barely bothers to hide. The roles traditionally known as the 'ugly sisters' are reimagined with George Heyworth and Kat B as the hilariously dim-witted Nausea and Flatula. They adeptly shoulder the crucial audience interaction, sharing the duty with Nicholas McLean's prissy Buttons. A highlight is their deliberately protracted, uproarious rendition of 'The Twelve Days of Christmas', a ten-minute marathon of comic corpsing that brings the house down.
Slick Production and Family-Friendly Charm
Around this villainous core, the classic story is told with warmth and polish. Siobhan James portrays a Cinderella who is sweet yet resilient, avoiding mere victimhood. Luke Latchman offers a refreshingly laid-back Prince Charming, and Jade Johnson is a boisterous and charming Fairy Godmother. The visual spectacle is provided by Cleo Pettitt's beautifully twinkly, wintery flat sets, which add a layer of festive magic. The show is tightly directed, resulting in a slick, family-friendly experience that runs for 2 hours and 20 minutes.
The Rowe-Shaped Question and the Verdict
The production inevitably prompts the question: what is the Hackney Empire panto without Clive Rowe's nuclear-grade performance? While this Cinderella is a marked improvement on last year's offering and a very pleasant festive outing, it lacks the madcap invention and sharp political bite found in rival pantos in Hammersmith and Stratford this season. Rowe's absence reveals that his singular genius has often compensated for a quieter creative vision. However, his directing sabbatical from the stage seems to have honed his ensemble skills, promising an even stronger return. This Cinderella is a confident, classy show that deserves its audiences, running at the Hackney Empire from 5 December to 31 December 2025, with tickets priced from £10 to £46.
Venue Details: Hackney Empire, 291 Mare St, London E8 1EJ. Nearest transport: Hackney Central Overground.
