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The
Hackney Empire is a theatre on Mare Street, in the London Borough of
Hackney, built in 1901 as a music hall.
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, WC Fields, Stan Laurel and Marie Lloyd all performed
there, when the Hackney Empire was a music hall.
ATV bought the theatre to use as studios in the 1950s, and shows such as
Take Your Pick and Oh, Boy! were broadcast live from the venue. 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.
Kismet
Girls and support dancers at the Hackney Empire theatre dressing rooms
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. Not only was it used by
them, it 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, the
actor-manager Roland Muldoon mounted a campaign to acquire the freehold
and to re-open the Hackney Empire as a permanent performance space. He
retired in 2005 and was replaced by Simon Thomsett as Chief Executive.
Stand-up comedy
Hackney Empire was a leading centre in the alternative comedy boom of
the 1980s - Ben Elton, Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders, Jeremy Hardy,
Mark Steel, Arthur Smith, Jo Brand, Harry Hill, Paul Merton, Harry
Enfield, Alan Davies, Bill Bailey and Russell Brand have all performed
there, amongst many others.
Arthur Smith hosts the important annual Hackney Empire New Act of the
Year competition for up and coming stand-up comedy talent.
Hackney
Empire theatre, London - original listed building
Modern times
The refurbished Hackney Empire built in 1901, retains the original
structure, but adds modern facilities (Sept 2005)In 2001, the Empire
closed for a £17 million refurbishment project designed by Tim Ronalds
Architects, and reopened in 2004 - returned to theatrical use on its
85th birthday. The restoration includes a 60-seat orchestra pit, to make
the Empire suitable for opera performance, by companies such as English
Touring Opera. Other new facilities include a studio theatre,
educational and hospitality facilities; as well as incorporating the
former Marie Lloyd public house within the new extension. There are also
purpose-built dressing rooms, replacing the original primitive
facilities. In addition to Muldoon, the comedian Griff Rhys-Jones led
the restoration appeal, with a large donation coming from local
businessman Sir Alan Sugar. It has produced an enormously successful and
highly regarded panto since the beginning of the current millennium.
The
Hackney Empire is situated in the heart of the East End, in the cultural
borough for the 2012 games. It is one of London's most important,
popular arts complexes. The Hackney Empire strive for the following
objectives for audiences and stakeholders:
-
Be
distinctive by presenting a bold, entertaining kaleidoscope of
performances and activities that are always striving to be of high
quality, accessible, diverse and engaging.
-
Create
a real sense of belonging for all audiences.
-
Ensure
everyone visiting this most fantastic of venues is given the great
possible experience.
-
Become
a recognized leader within the industry in offering opportunities
for innovation, engagement and dialogue through all forms of
theatre.
Patrons
Harold Pinter
Griff Rhys-Jones
Sir
Alan Sugar
Hackney
Empire theatre, London - modern extension building
Transport
The area is well served by buses to all parts of London; the nearest
station is Hackney Central on the North London Line.
Contacts
291 Mare Street, London E8 1EJ
Tel.
+44 (0)20 8510 4500
Fax. +44 (0)20 8510 4530
Box Office: +44 (0)20 8985 2424
Email: info@hackneyempire.co.uk
Chief
Executive:
Simon Thomsett
simon.thomsett@hackneyempire.co.uk
Theatre
Administration
Head
of Programming: Frank Sweeney
frank.sweeney@hackneyempire.co.uk
Associate
Director: Susie Mckenna
susie.mckenna@hackneyempire.co.uk
Head
of Finance and Administration: Stuart Shanks
stuart.shanks@hackneyempire.co.uk
Assistant
Accountant: Tayo Williams
tayo.williams@hackneyempire.co.uk
Chief
Executive's PA: Sarah Norrish
sarah.norrish@hackneyempire.co.uk
Marketing,
Communications and Development
Head
of Marketing, Communications and Development: Andrew Higgins
andrew.higgins@hackneyempire.co.uk
Marketing
Manager: Simon Reilly
simon.reilly@hackneyempire.co.uk
Box
Office Manager: Jonathan Christian
jonathan.christian@hackneyempire.co.uk
Press
and Media Relations Manager: Allan Watson
allan.watson@hackneyempire.co.uk
Marketing
Officer: Ellie Manwell
ellie.manwell@hackneyempire.co.uk
Marketing
Assistant: Tony Goodrick
tony.goodrick@hackneyempire.co.uk
Development
Manager: Sophie Medd
sophie.medd@hackneyempire.co.uk
Registered
in England No. 2060996
Charity
Reg No. 1062085/0
VAT Reg No. 454 3752 41
LINKS
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