Hackney Empire Announces 2020 Christmas Pantomime Will Be JACK AND THE BEANSTALK + Panto Legend Clive Rowe Is Its First Patron

HACKNEY EMPIRE ANNOUNCES JACK AND THE BEANSTALK FOR ITS 2020 PANTOMIME, RUNNING FROM 21 NOVEMBER 2020 TO 3 JANUARY 2021.

CLIVE ROWE WILL BECOME THE FIRST PATRON OF HACKNEY EMPIRE AND WILL TAKE TO THE STAGE ONCE MORE IN THE ICONIC ROLE OF  THE DAME.

TICKETS FOR JACK AND THE BEANSTALK GO ON SALE ON FRIDAY 6 MARCH

Hackney Empire today announces Jack and the Beanstalk for its 2020 Christmas production opening in London this November and marking its 22nd pantomime at the East End venue.  Jack and the Beanstalk will run from 21 November 2020 to 3 January 2021, with press night on Thursday 3 December. Tickets will go on sale to the public from Friday 6 March 2020 at 12noon.

This year, Hackney Empire is proud to announce Grande Dame Olivier Award-winner Clive Rowe as its very first patron of the theatre. Clive will also make his 14th pantomime appearance this Christmas starring as Dame Daisy Trott. The full creative team and casting will be announced in due course.

Yamin Choudury, Artistic Director, and Jo Hemmant, Executive Director, from Hackney Empire said “Nothing could feel more perfect than Clive Rowe becoming our first patron. As Hackney Empire’s pantomime Dame he has captivated, delighted and charmed audiences with his award-winning performances. As we head towards Hackney Empire’s 120th birthday, we look forward with great excitement to the next chapter of life at the theatre.”

Clive Rowe said "I cannot truly express how honoured I am to have been asked to be Hackney Empire’s first patron.  My relationship with the building over the years has always been based on love and respect not just for the theatre but also for the community it is part of. I would like to thank Hackney Empire for this. I will cherish my patronage."

As only Hackney Empire can, Jack and the Beanstalk will get the festive season underway, bringing all of the fun, magic and razzle dazzle that Hackney audiences love.

When happy-go-lucky Jack is tempted into selling his family’s beloved cow for a fistful of magic beans, he finds himself tangled in an adventure of epic proportions! Join Jack on his journey up an enchanted beanstalk as he tries to outwit a rampaging giant, all with the help of his larger-than-life mum.

This tall-tale is packed full of slapstick comedy, laugh-out-loud topical gags, outrageous costumes, dazzling song and dance numbers and plenty of chances to cheer, boo and hiss.  Hackney Empire’s pantomime has become one of the city’s most anticipated annual highlights bringing West End value at East End prices to attract an ever growing local, national and global fanbase.

Over 44,000 people attended last year's pantomime Dick Whittington and His Cat including 10,000 schoolchildren. 41% of the audience were first time visitors to Hackney Empire.

Tickets for Jack and the Beanstalk go on sale on Friday 6 March from 12pm here.

LISTINGS
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK
A Hackney Empire Pantomime

Hackney Empire, 291 Mare Street, E8 1EJ

First performance: Saturday 21 November 2020
Press night: Thursday 3 December 2020
Final performance:  Sunday 3 January 2021

Sign Language Interpreted Performances
Saturday 5 December 2.30pm & 7pm and Friday 11 December 1.30pm & 7pm

Dementia Friendly and Relaxed Performance
Saturday 5 December 2.30pm
020 8985 2424
Please Note:  Children under 14 years need to be accompanied at all times by a paying adult
Tickets from £10 - £42, concessions available
Groups of 10+ discount available at certain of performances

Find Hackney Empire on Facebook: /HackneyEmpire, Twitter: @hackneyempire and Instagram: /HackneyEmpire

About Clive Rowe
Clive Rowe has played the Dame in 13 pantomime appearances at Hackney Empire, most recently in Dick Whittington and his Cat in 2019 and in the 20th anniversary production of Aladdin which saw him receive the accolade for Best Dame in the 2019 Great British Pantomime Awards. This summer Clive will star in Sister Act the new UK tour and in the West End. Rowe was recognised with an MBE in the 2017 New Year’s Honours list. His extensive theatre credits include his Olivier Award-winning performance in Guys and Dolls (National Theatre), The Light Princess, Carousel (for which he was nominated for an Olivier Award), Fuente Ovejuna, Caroline, or Change, The Villains Opera, Money, Candide, Peter Pan (all National Theatre), Kiss Me, Kate (Chichester and Old Vic Theatre), Chicago (West End), The Ladykillers (West End and UK Tour), Me and My Girl (Chichester Festival Theatre). He is well known for his role as Duke in the BBC’s The Story of Tracey Beaker and has been seen in the Disney series The Evermoor and played Cuisiner in the Beauty and the Beast film adaptation. Other television credits include So Awkward, The Kennedys, The Fun Police, All the Small Things, Doctor Who, Dalziel & Pascoe, and The Harry Hill Show.