WHAT’S ON MAY - AUG 2022
CELEBRATING 120 YEARS OF UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCES...
WELCOME In our 120th birthday year, we’ve been collecting stories and memories from our history and we’ve loved hearing yours so far! We’ve heard how:
Me and my best friends used to queue on a Friday night for cheap tickets to the Upper Circle - this was in the late 40s, early 50s we saw Frankie Howard, Ted Ray, Al Read and Peter Sellers, as all the popular comedians used to perform.
I remember being taken to the Empire once a week by my Aunt. She would take my cousin and myself to see a variety show. I was about 5 years old so that would have been the late 1940’s. We would walk there and the area was mostly bomb sites from the war.
Some of my best days were spent there busy running around backstage or stood in a silent auditorium looking out in awe. Do you have a special story or memory or know someone that does?! Did you visit as a child, or remember seeing a particular artist or show and it’s always stayed with you? Scan the QR code below to share your memories with us and be a part of our birthday celebrations throughout the year!
Thank you for all of your support and we look forward to seeing you at Hackney Empire very soon! Yamin Choudury Artistic Director
Jo Hemmant Executive Director
MAY
NOT ANOTHER D&D PODCAST LIVE Thu 12 May, 7.30pm | £30
Three unlikely adventurers attempt to right the wrongs caused by a party of a party of legendary heroes who screwed up the world while trying to save it. DM Brian Murphy is joined by Emily Axford (Moonshine Cybin), Jake Hurwitz (Hardwon Surefoot), and Caldwell Tanner (Beverly Toegold V) for this D&D play podcast.
LIVE AT THE EMPIRE Fri 13 May, 8pm | £26 - £17.50 London’s biggest comedy night is back with a returning hero in the headline spot: David O’Doherty – Live at the Apollo star, Cats Does Countdown star, Edinburgh Comedy Award winner and the ‘hairy Enya’ of comedy. David is joined by Rhys James and Sophie Duker, with Suzi Ruffell on hosting duties.
GRAND UNION ORCHESTRA: 40TH ANNIVERSARY SHOW Sat 14 May, 7.30pm & Sun 15 May, 2.30pm | £18 - £10 Not to be missed, this Fortieth Anniversary Show will feature all the Grand Union’s much-loved star performers – extraordinary singers and musicians from every major global musical tradition – on stage together for the first time since lockdown. With songs and music by Tony Haynes from classic Grand Union shows, these very special celebratory performances will lift the spirit and raise the banner of global harmony!
JUNK KOUTURE Thu 19 May, 7.30pm | £20 The world’s largest sustainable fashion competition sees finalists from post-primary schools across the UK battle it out for their place in the Junk Kouture World Final 2022 as they model haute-couture designs make entirely from recycled materials for judges Laura Whitmore, Mehreen Baig and Fabio Piras. Live music from Wes Nelson and Ryan Mack.
WORLD COMEDY CLASH 2022 Sat 21 May, 7.30pm | £32 - £22 14 Comedians. 13 Countries. 1 Stage. Which country will take the crown? The original and longest running comedy clash show returns with their first show since 2019. Featuring Kane Brown, Slim, Limz, Mr Cee, Dana Alexander and many more. See website for full line up. Age guidance: 16+
JAMALI MADDIX: KING CRUD Sat 28 May, 7.30pm | £18 - £12 With a brand new show Jamali will be tackling more home truths and universal issues. A master of the craft, this latest show is not to be missed. As seen on Taskmaster (Channel4), Frankie Boyle’s New World Order (BBC2) and his critically acclaimed series Hate Thy Neighbor for Vice.
★★★★ Sunday Times ★★★★ Independent Age guidance: 18+
JURASSIC LIVE Mon 30 & Tue 31 May, 11am, 3pm, 7.30pm | £20 - £13 A thrilling, fun, educational and interactive stage show, taking you on an adventure with our dinosaur rangers throughout the Jurassic zoo on the hunt for a missing dinosaur. Along the way you’ll meet and learn about dinosaurs from the Cretaceous and Jurassic eras including the Stegosaurus, Apatosaurus, Velociraptor, Triceratops and even the mighty T-Rex. A truly unmissable experience for all ages, giving children and adults the chance to get up close and personal with the magnificent creatures. Age guidance: 2+
MAY
MILKSHAKE! MONKEY’S MUSICAL
JUN
Sun 5 Jun, 12pm, 4pm | £17.50 - £16.50 Milkshake! Monkey is back and can’t wait to put on a spectacular NEW Show for you all. Join Paddington, Daisy & Ollie, Milo, Noddy, Pip and Posy, Blue’s Clues & You! for an unforgettable family time! Learn the amazing songs and dances with your favourite Milkshake! friends and watch as the music, the lights, the costumes and the stage brings Milkshake! to life.
STAND-UP FOR WINDRUSH Sun 19 Jun, 7pm | £45 - £15 A star-studded evening of music and comedy, hosted by BBC Radio London presenter Eddie Nestor MBE. The line-up includes Richard Blackwood (Hollyoaks), Thanyia Moore (Edinburgh Fringe), Travis J (Edinburgh Fringe), BiBi Crew (Get Raunchy), Darran Griffiths (Comedy Store), Jocelyn Jee Esien (Little Miss Jocelyn) and Felicity Ethnic (Kings & Queens of Comedy). This is a chance to celebrate Black British talent and the huge contribution our forefathers and the many generations of Caribbean and African migrants have made to this country. A percentage of the profits will be donated to charities supporting families affected by the Windrush scandal. Age guidance: 16+
BECOME A FRIEND As a registered charity Hackney Empire depends on the support of the people who love it. From £5 per month you’ll receive a range of benefits that will take you right to the heart of our legendary venue. Join us today! hackneyempire.co.uk/friends
A co-production by Music Theatre Wales and Britten Pears Arts, staged in association with the London Sinfonietta. London performance co-produced and presented by The Royal Opera in association with Hackney Empire.
JUN
VIOLET Thu 23 Jun, 7.30pm | £40 - £30 In a muddied nightdress, in a country kitchen, Violet finally smiles. For years, her tired daily routine has been dictated by the inescapable chime of the Clock Tower, until one night she feels time quicken. Combining the acclaimed talents of writer Alice Birch (TV: Normal People (BBC), Succession (HBO); Film Lady Macbeth; Mothering Sunday; Stage: Anatomy of a Suicide) and rising star composer Tom Coult (commissioned by First Night of the Proms; currently resident composer at the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra), this is opera for now and about now.
GINA YASHERE AND FRIENDS Fri 24 & Sat 25 Jun, 7.30pm | £37 - £25 Global comedian and actor Gina Yashere was runner-up in the 1996 Hackney Empire New Act of the Year competition and has been appearing on TV ever since. She returns for two nights in June, honouring the launch of the new Windrush monument in Waterloo. Join us for a night of nostalgia, comedic storytelling and celebration. Other acts on the night include Aurie Styla and Marlon Davis, with some very special guests to be revealed! “One of the best comics in the world” The Guardian Age guidance: 16+
JUL | AUG
PEPPA PIG’S BEST DAY EVER
Fri 29 & Sat 30 Jul, 10am, 1pm, 4pm | £17.50 - £11.50 Peppa Pig is excited to be going on a special day out with George, Mummy Pig and Daddy Pig – it’s going to be her best day ever! Get ready for a road-trip full of fun adventures. From castles to caves, dragons to dinosaurs and ice-creams to muddy puddles – there is something for all of the family and their friends to enjoy, including Miss Rabbit, Mr Bull, Suzy Sheep, Gerald Giraffe and more!
Arcola Theatre presents In association with Hackney Empire
SIEGFRIED & GÖTTERDAMMERUNG Sat 6 & Sun 7 Aug, 3.30pm & 7.30pm | £59 - £17 Arcola Theatre returns with final two parts of Richard Wagner’s Ring Cycle. Raised by Mime, the dwarf, the inquisitive Siegfried sets off an adventure of a lifetime where he meets Brünnhilde and realises he must shake off his reckless youth and become a man. In Götterdammerung, the Ring Cycle reaches a dramatic conclusion. Wotan, resigned and now waiting inside Valhalla for the end, has left his united grandson Siegfried and ex-valkyrie daughter Brünnhilde with the task of ‘working the deed which redeems the world’… Part of Grimeborn Opera Festival 2022.
MOTHER GOOSE
COMING SOON
Sat 19 Nov - Sat 31 Dec, Times vary | £44 - £10 The Mother of all pantomimes is back in Hackney this festive season, starring Clive Rowe as Mother Goose. First created in 1902 for Music Hall legend and Hackney Empire regular Dan Leno, we’re thrilled to be able to celebrate 120 years of this iconic pantomime in our 120th birthday year! What would you do if you found a magical goose who lays golden eggs?! That’s exactly what’s in store for Mother Goose and she soon discovers that this priceless talent isn’t all it’s CRACKED up to be!
CREATIVE FUTURES Free events and projects for young people aged 14-25.
YOUNG PRODUCERS: CREATE YOUR OWN EVENTS Every Tuesday, 6pm - 8pm See website for details A free training opportunity to create and organise your own events such as Pure Vibez and Alter Ego. These free workshops will help you develop the creative and practical skills needed to put on the event that you want to see.
FUTURE MOVEMENT Every Wednesday, 6pm - 8pm 20 Apr - 25 May See website for details Do you love to move?! Pioneer Dance and Hackney Empire present a FREE 6-week dance project. During this 6-week course, Pioneer Dance will bring an exciting approach to choreography and movement.
ARTIST DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME COMING UP THIS AUG, STAY TUNED FOR FURTHER DETAILS Create your future @HEfutures
INFORMATION BOX OFFICE Book tickets at: hackneyempire.co.uk Our phone lines are open: Mon - Fri 10am - 6pm (except Bank Holidays)
020 8985 2424 Our Box Office window is open for in person bookings: Mon - Sat 10am - 6pm (except Bank Holidays) Booking fees: £1.15 per ticket online, £1.35 per ticket over the phone. No booking fees if booked in person. 291 Mare Street, London E8 1EJ @HackneyEmpire
Graham Road Lane Morning Wilton Way
Town Hall Reading Lane
30, 38, 55, 106, 253, 254, 276, 394, D6, W15.
Chatham Place
Hackney Central (just over 200m), Hackney Downs and London Fields (700m) all have frequent and direct links to the tube network.
Am hu rs tR oa d
Hackney Central
Valette Street
GETTING TO HACKNEY EMPIRE
Mare Street
Follow us:
Paragon Road
Richmond Road
THERE’S A BAR ON EVERY LEVEL We have a bar on every floor of the theatre, serving a range of drinks and snacks, Come and visit us!
Front cover and inside cover images by Sharron Wallace and Mark Senior. Hackney Empire is a registered charity in England and Wales No. 1062085. All details were correct when we sent this to print. For the latest information including any changes or updates, please check our website.
EMPIRE LOCAL HACKNEY EMPIRE COMMUNITY CHOIR Every Thu 7pm - 9pm Check website for current term dates | £5 | £3 concs Well known for its infectious energy and joyous sound, everyone is welcome at Hackney Empire Community Choir! Led by Joseph Roberts in rehearsals.
WHAT’S ON Thu 12 May, 7.30pm Fri 13 May, 8pm Sat 14 May, 7.30pm & Sun 15 May, 2.30pm Thu 19 May, 7.30pm
NOT ANOTHER D&D PODCAST LIVE LIVE AT THE EMPIRE GRAND UNION ORCHESTRA: 40TH ANNIVERSARY SHOW JUNK KOUTURE
Sat 21 May, 7.30pm
WORLD COMEDY CLASH 2022
Sat 28 May, 7.30pm
JAMALI MADDIX: KING CRUD
Mon 30 & Tue 31 May, 11am, 3pm, 7.30pm Sun 5 Jun, 12pm, 4pm Sun 19 Jun, 7pm Thu 23 Jun, 7.30pm Fri 24 & Sat 25 Jun, 7.30pm
JURASSIC LIVE MILKSHAKE! MONKEY’S MUSICAL STAND-UP FOR WINDRUSH VIOLET GINA YASHERE AND FRIENDS
Fri 29 & Sat 30 Jul, 10am, 1pm, 4pm
PEPPA PIG’S BEST DAY EVER
Sat 6 & Sun 7 Aug, 3.30pm & 7.30pm
SIEGFRIED & GÖTTERDAMMERUNG
Sat 19 Nov - Sat 31 Dec, Times vary
MOTHER GOOSE
KEY COMEDY
COMMUNITY
FAMILY
MUSIC
OPERA
PANTOMIME
DON’T LET MOTHER GOOSE HEAR THAT YOU HAVEN’T GOT YOUR PANTO TICKETS YET, SHE’S SO EGGS-CITED TO SEE YOU! Book your tickets now at:
hackneyempire.co.uk
@HackneyEmpire
020 8985 2424