Love London Love Culture’s Emma Clarendon takes a close look at what critics have had to say about Mother Goose at Hackney Empire.
‘Moves along at a cracking pace’: MOTHER GOOSE – Hackney Empire
Mother Goose at the Hackney Empire moves along at a cracking pace. Even with a short salute to the 120 years of the Hackney(wood) Empire, Mother Goose is one of the best options available this year, with fabulous costumes, a sparkling script with room for a bit of improv, and some amusing bits of slapstick.
‘Anything but washed out’: ALADDIN – Hackney Empire ★★★★
Writer/director Susie McKenna delivers her 20th festive production – Aladdin – with a show that captures the diversity of her London patch, yet cleverly avoids cultural appropriation and all the while managing to maintain the joyous irreverence that makes pantomime such a glorious British Christmas tradition.
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK – Hackney Empire
Who is the nation’s greatest Dame? Maggie Smith, Judi Dench or Helen Mirren? Well, think again, for as pantomime season descends upon us, Clive Rowe yet again claims that illustrious honour with a barn-storming performance as Dame Daisy Trott in Hackney Empire’s Jack And The Beanstalk.