Hackney Empire

Hackney Empire LET'S DREAM BIG! For over 120 years, Hackney Empire has been THE venue for comedy, music, theatre and variety in East London.
(1383)

Box Office 020 8985 2424

hackneyempire.co.uk twitter.com/hackneyempire youtube.com/thehackneyempire

Join BAFTA-winning actor, writer and comedian Richard Ayoade as he discusses his latest book, Afterthoughts, or Some Pis...
16/06/2026

Join BAFTA-winning actor, writer and comedian Richard Ayoade as he discusses his latest book, Afterthoughts, or Some Pistachios Won't Open. 📖

Expect wit, wisdom and questions you never knew needed answering. From The IT Crowd to Travel Man, Richard Ayoade has spent years making us laugh. Now he's bringing over 500 of his most curious thoughts to the stage.

Limited tickets available for the 2pm performance.

Sat 20 Jun, www.hackneyempire.co.uk/events/richard-ayoade-afterthoughts

15/06/2026

Step inside Jah Makin' it Happen: A Reggae Musical as the cast comes together for a script reading, offering a sneak peek at the reggae rhythms, laughter and drama heading to Hackney this week! 🎶

Told through the vibrant sounds of reggae, this hilarious musical comedy follows a Jamaican family's journey from Jamaica to the UK during the Windrush era. With powerful storytelling, unforgettable music and the uplifting spirit of reggae, the show explores their challenges, resilience and triumphs as they build a new life in Britain.

Don't miss your chance to experience this heart-warming celebration of family, culture and community.

Wed 17 Jun, www.hackneyempire.co.uk/events/jah-makin-it-happen

🚨 STAMP Connects is back this July at Shoreditch Town Hall!Are you an artist looking for more information about how Lond...
12/06/2026

🚨 STAMP Connects is back this July at Shoreditch Town Hall!

Are you an artist looking for more information about how London theatre organisations can support you? Or perhaps you'd like to hear panel discussions featuring a range of theatres and have the chance to chat with them directly? Then STAMP Connects is the place to be!

STAMP Connects is an opportunity to tell venues and organisations what you think and what you need, while gaining a better understanding of how they can support you and your work as an artist.

This year, ticket holders can meet, chat, and build relationships with a variety of London-based arts organisations, as well as attend a keynote talk during the event.

🎟️All tickets £3!
📅 Thu 2 Jul, 7.30pm at Shoreditch Town Hall.

📸 by Marshall Stay

Do you have a Hackney Empire story to share? Whether you visited recently, came as a child, performed on our stage, or g...
11/06/2026

Do you have a Hackney Empire story to share? Whether you visited recently, came as a child, performed on our stage, or grew up hearing stories about the theatre, we’d love to hear from you.

Become a part of our history via link in bio! ⬆️

🎉 Today we’re delighted to reveal the first plans for our 125th Anniversary celebrations. 🎉From September 2026, we'll la...
11/06/2026

🎉 Today we’re delighted to reveal the first plans for our 125th Anniversary celebrations. 🎉

From September 2026, we'll launch a 16-month programme celebrating the artists, audiences and communities who have shaped Hackney Empire since 1901, while looking ahead to an exciting new chapter for our theatre.

The programme includes:
✨ A special 125th Anniversary Launch Weekend featuring an outdoor festival stage curated by our Young Producers, an exhibition celebrating our 125 year-history, the launch of a new football kit for Hackney Women’s FC and celebrations across the building.

✨Talawa Iconic: 40th Anniversary Showcase, celebrating four decades of Black excellence in British theatre, with a star-studded line up to be announced

✨ Empire Nights, an unmissable new live show bringing together some of the most exciting names in comedy, music, and culture, with our first show hosted by Jamali Maddix

✨ Special shows from legendary comics Lenny Henry and Jo Brand

✨The 10th anniversary tour of Theatre re’s internationally acclaimed The Nature of Forgetting

✨ The return of Clive Rowe as Dame and director in our much-loved pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk

✨ Live music from Jacob Alon and English Touring Opera

✨ The world premiere co-production of Nanny of the Maroon in 2027

Plus much more to be announced.

As our CEO Chris Sudworth says: “Our 125th anniversary is a moment of huge celebration, and a moment to look forward, imagining what is possible.”

Friends priority booking is open now for newly announced shows. Public booking opens tomorrow at 10am. https://www.hackneyempire.co.uk/whats-on

Read more about the full announcement here:

Thank you to everyone who has been part of our story so far. We can't wait to celebrate this milestone with you. 💛

Get ready to experience The World As We See It this October, as ACE dance and music presents a powerful new double bill ...
05/06/2026

Get ready to experience The World As We See It this October, as ACE dance and music presents a powerful new double bill redefining the African Diaspora through two contrasting visions of our world today. 💃

Choreographed by Serge Aimé Coulibaly , with creative contributions from Sigué Sayouba Echoes of Dust follows seven individuals navigating a world fractured by war, disaster and disconnection as they search for hope and reclaim their voices.

Vincent Mantsoe draws on African, Indigenous and contemporary dance traditions with Letlalo, to explore the deep connection between humanity and the earth.

Don’t miss this powerful evening of dance.
Tue 20 Oct, www.hackneyempire.co.uk/events/twawsi-the-world-as-we-see-it

🎭 Calling all Drama Teachers! Are you curious about how devised theatre begins?Join Theatre Re (Theatre re ) in Hackney ...
04/06/2026

🎭 Calling all Drama Teachers! Are you curious about how devised theatre begins?

Join Theatre Re (Theatre re ) in Hackney on Wednesday 24 June from 5–7pm for a practical CPD session exploring the beginnings of the devising process.

Drawing on Corporeal Mime techniques, participants will discover how to generate new material through movement, uncover a play before writing it, and develop practical devising tools that can be taken straight into the classroom.

Led by Guillaume Pigé, Artistic Director of Theatre Re and Associate Teacher at RADA.

Reserve your place by emailing us [email protected] by midnight on Friday 5 June.

📅 Wednesday 24 June, 5–7pm
📍 Hackney Empire
📸 By Zoe Birkbeck

04/06/2026

Calling all creatives! HE Creative Futures Artist Development Programme is back and there’s still time to book your audition! (19 – 21 Jun)

We’re looking for 14-19 year olds with a passion for creating and performing who want to compose, write, choreograph, design, and perform a brand-new show on our main stage this August.

⭐ Band Auditions: Fri 19 Jun, 5pm - 8pm (any instrument/beatmaker/producer)
⭐ Dance Auditions: Sat 20 Jun, 10am - 2pm (any style of dance)
⭐ Drama & Vocal Auditions: Sat 20 Jun, 3pm - 7pm (singers/rappers/spoken word/acting/devising)
⭐ Drama & Vocal Auditions: Sun 21 Jun, 10am - 7pm (singers/rappers/spoken word/acting/devising)

Find out more and book your audition now, www.hackneyempire.co.uk/take-part/creative-futures/current-projects/artist-development-programme-2026-auditions

Live at the Empire is back on our stage next Friday, and is headlined by Taskmaster champion and host of The Traitors: U...
03/06/2026

Live at the Empire is back on our stage next Friday, and is headlined by Taskmaster champion and host of The Traitors: Uncloaked Ed Gamble

Ed is joined by a stonking array of supreme talent, including fellow Taskmaster star Phil Ellis, Sarah Keyworth, recent Edinburgh Comedy Award winner and UK SNL cast member Ayoade Bamgboye, and former Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee and UK SNL cast member Paddy Young.

Don’t miss out on a grand night of comedy!
Fri 12 Jun, www.hackneyempire.co.uk/events/live-at-the-empire-with-ed-gamble

🚨 Come and work with us! We’re looking for a Facilities & Compliance Manager who will play a vital role in keeping our t...
02/06/2026

🚨 Come and work with us!

We’re looking for a Facilities & Compliance Manager who will play a vital role in keeping our theatre and supplementary spaces safe and secure.

You will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day management of the building, ensuring full compliance with health & safety and building regulations, and acting as the venue's lead Health & Safety Officer. You'll also manage external contractors, conduct daily building checks, support operational tasks, and help maintain a welcoming environment for staff, artists, and visitors alike.

If this sounds like the right opportunity for you, we'd love to hear from you.

Find out more and apply by 11pm on Wed 24 Jun, www.hackneyempire.co.uk/jobs/facilities-and-compliance

Address

291 Mare Street
London
E81EJ

Opening Hours

Monday 7am - 7pm
Tuesday 7am - 7pm
Wednesday 7am - 7pm
Thursday 7am - 7pm
Friday 7am - 7pm
Saturday 7am - 7pm
Sunday 7am - 7pm

Telephone

+442089852424

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Hackney Empire posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Establishment

Send a message to Hackney Empire:

Shortcuts

Share

Category