Hackney Empire 2019 pantomime announced

The Hackney Empire's 2019 pantomime will be Dick Whittington and His Cat, it has been announced.

The pantomime, which is a popular annual highlight at the venue, will be written and directed by Hackney Empire regular Susie McKenna and composed by Steven Edis.

The version of the pantomime will be set in post-war Britain and will run from 23 November 2019 to 5 January 2020. It follows young Dickens Whittington who is in Jamaica boarding the Empire Windrush to seek his fortune in London. The last time Dick Whittington was staged at the venue was in 2012.

Last year's production of Aladdin was nominated for six Great British Pantomime Awards, including Pantomime of the Year.

McKenna said: "This is our 21st year and we are taking inspiration from the story of our 15th century hero Richard Whittington, and celebrating the courage and determination of our 20th century heroes – the Windrush Generation.

"The story represents a journey full of hopes and dreams, it's a tribute to my own extended family as well as our local community. As always, our show will have all the ingredients of a traditional pantomime, sprinkled with surprises galore in true Hackney panto style."