Mother Goose, Hackney Empire

What better place to take in a traditional Christmas pantomime than Hackney Empire? This Grade II listed building was built as a music hall in 1901 and has played host to performances from Charlie Chaplin and Stan Laurel. Their festive show is reported to be the best in the capital, and this year takes on the tale of Mother Goose. The dame (unusually here also the title character) is played by Clive Rowe, a veteran of musical theatre who was nominated for an Olivier Award for the same role in 2008. Although this will certainly be the star turn, we expect more than your usual helping of outrageous costume, uproarious energy, music and dancing from this important date in the calendar of the East End.