Theatre News

Susie McKenna joins Sharon D Clarke on stage at Hackney Empire for Mother Goose

The pair, who married on stage at the Hackney Empire, join Clive Rowe and Kat B

Sharon D Clarke and Susie McKenna
Sharon D Clarke and Susie McKenna
© Perou

The full cast has been announced today for Hackney Empire's 2014 pantomime, Mother Goose, which opens at the end of November.

As previously announced by WhatsOnStage, Clive Rowe (Guys and Dolls, Kiss Me Kate) will reprise the title role for the tenth time in his career, a role for which he received an Olivier Award nomination in 2008.

Sharon D Clarke (The Amen Corner, We Will Rock You), who picked up an Olivier Award herself this year for her performance in The Amen Corner, joins the cast, playing the good enchantress Charity. She will be accompanied on stage by her real-life wife and Hackney Empire creative director, Susie McKenna, who not only directs but stars as the evil sorceress, Vanity too – Oh no she isn't? Oh yes she is!

Kat B also returns after last year's Puss in Boots to play Billy Goose and is joined by ensemble members Matt Dempsey (Romeo and Juliet), Tony Timberlake (Jesus Christ Superstar), Darren Hart (Red Riding Hood), Abigail Rosser (Funny Girl) and Alix Ross (The Loneliness Of The Long Distance Runner).

Mother Goose runs from the 22 Nov 2014 until Sun 4 Jan 2015, with a relaxed performance on 2 January 2015 at the Hackney Empire Theatre.