As I write this intro, it’s the start of December, and we’re already very much into panto season. So it’s entirely appropriate to do a panto Q&A, I feel, especially as this one’s taking place in my old stamping ground, Catford. Even more importantly, this pantomime has been created by Susie McKenna, a veritable pantomime legend.

As you probably know, she spent more than two decades panto-creating at the Hackney Empire before taking over the annual pantomime at Catford’s Broadway Theatre, and has garnered wide acclaim for those shows, as well as her work on stage and screen more generally. 

In this production, the usual ‘Dick Whittington’ plot has also been given an excellent twist, one that’s eminently suited to the tale of a young man arriving in London to seek his fortune. 

I spoke to Susie, to find out more about the panto, and the creator herself. 

CM: Obviously, it’s a panto classic, but can we start by talking about why you wrote a version of ‘Dick Whittington’ in particular? 
SM: I wrote this version of ‘Dick Whittington’ as a tribute to the Windrush Generation, and to thank them for all they have contributed to our country. In particular it’s a tribute to my wife Sharon D Clarke’s parents – Viola and Vincent – and also to Sam King, a Windrush passenger who became mayor of Southwark.

CM: What particular themes or twists does your version have? 
SM: Dick arrives in London on the Empire Windrush in 1948: he has been wrongly accused of theft so he decided to jump on a ship for foreign lands to make his fortune. It is here that I also add a message about climate change and man’s pollution of the seas. 

CM: What made you want to focus on these ideas in your version of the story? 
SM: Since I began writing pantomimes over 25 years ago, I made it my mission to bring the genre into the 21st Century – looking at these fairytales’ messages, it felt like time to reinvent them for today’s children and the world they live in.

CM: Would you say it has a particular message? 
SM: Apart from being the start of everyone’s Christmas, I think this show celebrates our wonderful diverse city and tells the story of triumph over adversity and prejudice, whilst paying tribute to everyone who comes to our country to contribute and make a better life for them and their families

CM: Can you tell us a bit about the cast and crew of the show? 
SM: The director of the show, Pete Rowe, is a panto legend in his own right, having written and directed many rock n roll pantomimes at the New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich, and across the country, and I am so lucky to have him at the helm.

Returning for their third Broadway Theatre panto are composer and musical director Ben Goddard and designer Lotte Collett, who worked with me for many years at Hackney Empire.

Many of this year’s cast are returning for either the second or third time, as are many of the creative and technical team. The wonderful Justin Brett returns as Dame Sarah The Cook after leading the cast to an OFFIE award for ‘Sleeping Beauty’ last year. 

Apart from our newbie Fergie Fraser, who plays Alice Fitzwarren, all the rest of the principals are returners. We have a brand-new ensemble, though, and they are joined by students from Trinity Laban.  

CM: You’ve done so much panto in the past – what do you love about it? 
SM: Pantomime is totally unique and utterly British – it is an artform and its performers must be fearless, ready to have the all-important dialogue with the audience, which becomes the last member of the cast.

It is often children’s first taste of theatre, so it’s vital that it speaks to them, but also has layers that adults can enjoy. It is one of the few times that many generations of one family or the community can get together and have a shared experience. 

CM: Can you tell us a bit more about your past? What made you pursue an artistic career and what steps did you take to make it happen? 
SM: My parents Joe and Maureen were a double act in variety – they met after my dad returned from the war having been an ENSA performer in the far east.

I remember going on stage with them from the age of three and truly never looked back. Another huge influence was my dance teacher Marion Tamset, who was truly ahead of her time.

I began working in pantomime and musical theatre as an actor. Having worked at theatres across the country and in the West End, and on some TV and film projects, for around fifteen years, I began writing and directing alongside that and in 2010 became Creative Director at Hackney Empire.

I’ve now returned to performing as well as working as a freelance writer director.

CM: What have been the highlights of your working life thus far? 
SM: Certainly my eight years at Nottingham Playhouse, as Principal Boy and main roles in other productions, was definitely a highlight.

Others include being in ‘Cats’ for three years and playing Gumbie Cat in the 1997 film, and playing Emma Goldman in ‘Ragtime’ at Piccadilly Theatre.

And, of course, my 22 years at the wonderful Hackney Empire – particularly getting married on stage there to Sharon D Clarke!! 

CM: What aims and ambitions do you have for the future? 
SM: I’d love to take a pantomime to Harlem NYC – there are conversations but who knows! I’m also keen to complete writing a series of theatre books for kids that I have begun, about a theatre act and mouse and their adventures.

CM: What’s coming up next for you after this? 
SM: I’m currently working on two new musicals – one with my wife Sharon D Clarke and the other with actor writer Tori Allen Martin, but at the top of 2026 I’ll be chilling in Spain! 

‘Dick Whittington And His Catford Cat’ is on at the Broadway Theatre Catford from 9-31 Dec. See the venue website here for more info and to book. 

LINKS: broadwaytheatre.org.uk | instagram.com/mckenna_susie