Jack and the Beanstalk

Hackney Empire panto 2026: Jack and the Beanstalk

Jack and the Beanstalk is the Hackney Empire panto for Christmas 2026, running from Saturday 21 November to Thursday 31 December 2026. It is directed by and stars Olivier Award winner Clive Rowe, called "panto royalty" by The Times, as Dame Trot, with Hackney Empire legend Kat B alongside him as Simple Simon Trot. This year's pantomime is part of an especially significant season, as the theatre celebrates its 125th anniversary in December.

The story and what to expect

Happy-go-lucky Jack sells his family's beloved cow for a handful of magic beans, setting off a chain of events that leads high into the clouds. As he climbs the beanstalk he discovers an enchanted land, a powerful giant and a host of surprises, but can he outsmart the giant and save the day? Expect all the best bits of a Hackney Empire pantomime: giant laughs, toe-tapping songs, dazzling dance numbers, extravagant costumes and plenty of chances for everyone to join in.

Cast

Clive Rowe directs and plays Dame Trot. Recently seen in the West End in Hadestown, he has played a host of dames in Hackney Empire pantomimes over more than 25 years, and was nominated as Best Director at the UK Pantomime Awards for last year's Cinderella.

Kat B plays Simple Simon Trot in his 21st Hackney Empire pantomime. His credits include The Wiz and A Christmas Carol at Hackney Empire and The Lick on MTV Base.

Louise Cielecki plays Fairy Firethorn and Christopher Staines, whose credits include The Score at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, plays Stephen Fleshcreep. Marina Lawrence-Mahrra plays Jack Trot, after touring in Frankie Goes To Bollywood, and Summer Priest, from the UK and world tour of Moulin Rouge! The Musical, plays Jill. Andre Antonio plays Harp and Timothy Trot.

The ensemble is Ellie Greenway, Alanna Panditaratne, Charlize Indigo, Charlie Scales, Toby Seddon, Lara Wollington and Sam Jamison.

Creative team

The show is written by Will Brenton, with original music and songs by Steven Edis. Cleo Pettitt designs the set and costumes, Wendy Gadian is musical director, arranger, orchestrator and supervisor, Mike Ward choreographs, Tim Mitchell designs the lighting and Richard Bell the sound. Emily Obasohan produces for Hackney Empire.

Dates and times

The run starts on Saturday 21 November 2026, with the press performance on Thursday 3 December, and ends on Thursday 31 December at 1.30pm. Saturday performances are usually at 1.30pm and 6pm, Sundays at 1pm and 5.30pm and weekday evenings at 7pm. Many weekday 1.30pm matinees in November and early December are schools performances. From 22 December most days have shows at 1.30pm and 6pm, with a 2.30pm performance on Boxing Day.

Who is it for (age guidance and running time)

All ages are welcome. Children aged 3 and under may sit on an adult's lap, and children aged 4 and over need their own ticket. Whether it is a first pantomime or a yearly family tradition, the theatre pitches it as a magical treat for adventurers of all ages. The running time is to be announced by the venue.

Accessible performances

Saturday 5 December at 1.30pm is the relaxed and dementia friendly performance, and it is also BSL interpreted. The 6pm show that day is BSL interpreted too, and BSL interpretation by Theatresign returns on Thursday 17 December at 1.30pm and 7pm. The audio described performance, by VocalEyes, is on Sunday 6 December at 1pm. Captioned performances are to be announced by the venue.

A Hackney Empire Christmas tradition

Pantomime is at the heart of Hackney Empire, as chief executive Chris Sudworth puts it, and Jack and the Beanstalk will carry the theatre through its 125th birthday, with special surprises promised during the run. Clive Rowe calls Hackney Empire panto the highlight of his year. The Telegraph called the 2024 Hackney Empire panto "fabulously exhilarating and heart-warming... a gloriously life-affirming show".

Getting to Hackney Empire

Hackney Empire is a 5 minute walk from Hackney Central Overground station. There is no on-site parking, and there are a few accessible spaces nearby for blue badge holders. Road works around Hackney Central mean it is worth checking your journey before you set off.