Casting announced for Hackney Empire panto Cinderella

Casting has been announced for this year's Hackney Empire pantomime, Cinderella.

Aisha Jawando will star as Cinderella, while Tony Whittle and Kat B will play the Ugly Sisters. Peter Straker will play Baron Hardup, Darren Hart is Buttons and Susie McKenna, who is also directing and has written the show, will star as the Wicked Stepmother.

Making their Hackney pantomime debuts as Dandini and Prince Charming is Stephane Anelli and Chris Jenkins. The production will also feature the voices of Sharon D Clarke and Clarke Peters as Duchess and Duke Mouse.

The rest of the cast also includes Chloe Ames, Thomas Audibert, Andrew Carthy, Raffaella Covino, Sinead Long and Dale White.

McKenna and original music writer Steven Edis stage their 19th pantomime for Hackney Empire and will bring the classic story of Cinderella up to date.

Cinderella runs at Hackney Empire from 23 November to 31 December with previews from 18 November.