Hackney Empire

Hackney Empire

Hackney Empire
Location	Mare Street Hackney Central London, E8 United Kingdom
Coordinates	51.5455°N 0.0555°W / 51.5455; -0.0555
Public transit	Hackney Central
Owner	Hackney Empire Trust
Designation	Grade II*
Type	Former music hall
Capacity	1,275
Production	Visiting productions
Construction
Opened	1901 (1901)
Closed	1956–62 television studio 1963–86 bingo hall
Rebuilt	2004 (Tim Ronalds Architects)
Architect	Frank Matcham
Website
hackneyempire.co.uk

Hackney Empire was built in 1901 and is one of the finest examples of a Matcham Theatre in the capital. Described as ‘The most beautiful theatre in London’ (The Guardian), for over a century it has been an iconic venue for the performing arts, home to generations of actors, musicians and performers. Today it is an exceptional 21st century variety theatre that embraces a diverse community of artists and audiences and presents work that is inspirational, relevant and transformative.

Hackney Empire is located on Mare Street, in the London Borough of Hackney.

History

Hackney Empire is a grade II* listed building. The theatre was built as a music hall in 1901, designed by the architect Frank Matcham.

Charlie Chaplin, W. C. Fields, Stanley Holloway, Stan Laurel, Marie Lloyd, and Julie Andrews all performed there, when the Hackney Empire was a music hall.

ATV bought the theatre to use as studios in the mid-1950s, and shows such as Take Your Pick and Oh, Boy! were broadcast live. Certain episodes of Opportunity Knocks were also filmed at the theatre. Some scenes from Emergency – Ward 10 were also filmed there. From 1963 to 1984, the theatre was used by the Mecca Organisation as a bingo hall.

In 1984, Mecca found the building too expensive to maintain as a bingo hall, and it was offered to C.A.S.T., a satirical touring theatre group, headed by Claire and Roland Muldoon, as a London base. They also mounted successful variety nights headlined by a new breed of alternative comedy acts, such as Ben Elton, Dawn French, and Jennifer Saunders.

The theatre was threatened with demolition, and in 1986, actor-manager Roland Muldoon mounted a campaign to acquire the freehold and to re-open the Hackney Empire as a permanent performance space; allowing the theatre to return to theatrical use for its 85th anniversary.

Ralph Fiennes played Hamlet to Francesca Annis' Gertrude in Jonathan Kent's Almeida Theatre Company production of Hamlet, 28 February – 30 March 1995; the production also transferred to the Belasco Theatre in New York City. In 1996, mime/choreographer Lindsay Kemp premiered Variété', his first British production in over 20 years, there and Slava's Snowshow, featuring the famous Russian clown Slava Polunin, played the theatre several times.

Stand-up comedy

Hackney Empire was a leading centre in the alternative comedy boom of the 1980s and has retained its status as a leading home for comedy to this day – Frankie Boyle, Jack Whitehall, Jo Brand, Russell Brand, John Cleese, Jackie Clune, Greg Davies, Felix Dexter, Ben Elton, Harry Enfield, Craig Ferguson, Dawn French, Jeremy Hardy, Lenny Henry, Bill Hicks, Harry Hill, Mark Linn-Baker, Martha Lewis and Eve Polycarpo, Paul Merton, Jennifer Saunders, Arthur Smith, Mark Steel, and Tim Vine are just some of the comedians who have performed there.

Modern times

The refurbished Hackney Empire built in 1901, retains the original structure, but adds modern facilities (September 2005)

Situated at the heart of one of London’s most diverse, exciting yet economically challenged boroughs, Hackney Empire’s artistic programme includes theatre, opera, comedy, dance, music and more. It attracts world-class talent whilst remaining relevant for its local audiences. Hackney Empire collaborate and partner with regional and international companies and artists and provide a London home for high-quality touring work including the Royal Shakespeare Company, English Touring Opera, Scottish Opera and the BBC Concert Orchestra.

In 2001, the Empire closed for a £17m refurbishment project designed by Tim Ronalds Architects with Carr and Angier acting as theatre consultants. It was reopened in 2004. The restoration included the addition of a 60-seat orchestra pit to make the Empire suitable for opera performances by companies such as English Touring Opera, the addition of a flytower with provision for counterweight flying and a reduction of the stage rake from 1 in 24 to 1 in 30. Among other new facilities were a studio theatre and educational and hospitality facilities, and greatly improved dressing rooms.

Additionally, the Marie Lloyd public house was incorporated into the new extension. In addition to Muldoon, the comedian Griff Rhys Jones led the restoration appeal, with a large donation coming from local businessman Alan Sugar. The John Bishop Show was presented and recorded at the Hackney Empire, and aired on BBC One from 30 May 2015 to 18 July 2015. Since 2014, the British Soap Awards have also been filmed at the Hackney Empire.

It has produced an enormously successful and highly regarded panto since 1988. This award-winning pantomime alone attracts audiences of over 50,000 each year and is, for many, their first experience of live performance. As well as welcoming over 10,000 children from local schools, they provide thousands of free tickets to local Housing Associations, Community Groups, local refuges and young carers.

Alongside its main-stage programme, Hackney Empire is the leading provider of performing arts engagement activity for young people in Hackney. It’s pioneering Creative Futures programme annually engages over 4,000 young people aged 14 – 25. They play a vital role within the wider community enabling schools and colleges, community and youth groups to play and perform on our legendary stage and with a Community Choir that over 80 regular members.

Hackney Empire is an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation, however, must still raise 87% of its income from box office, commercial activity and fundraising. They currently receive support from Hackney Council, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, Children in Need and a growing group of smaller Trusts and individual donors.

Despite being closed to the public from March 2020 to August 2021 Hackney Empire continued to serve young people across its communities throughout this period. During the lockdowns it worked with hundreds of young people on projects and programmes that built confidence, improved mental health and wellbeing and reduced isolation. In December 2021, Hackney Empire celebrated its 120th birthday, with an extra special performance of Jack and the Beanstalk, and will have ongoing celebrations throughout this anniversary year.

Transport

The area is served by bus routes 06, 236, 254, 276, 277, 394, N55, N253, N277.

The nearest station is Hackney Central on London Overground's North London Line.

The nearest Tube station, Bethnal Green on the central line, is over a mile away.

Patrons

• Harold Pinter (died 2008)
• Griff Rhys Jones
• Lord Alan Sugar
• Leona Lewis

External links

• Official website
• History of the Hackney Empire with archive images
• Collection of Hackney Empire Playbill Posters from the University of East London's Theatre Archive
• Guide to British Theatres 1750–1950, John Earl and Michael Sell pp. 114 (Theatres Trust, 2000) ISBN 0-7136-5688-3
• Griff Rhys Jones – Hackney Empire – Art and Architecture
• Historic England. "Photograph and details from listed building text (1226960)". National Heritage List for England.