Hackney Empire brochure 2021

WE’RE BACK! #artsandculture for all

It is such a pleasure to be writing this and feeling that we really might be able to welcome you through the great doors of Hackney Empire again from the beginning of August.

The last eighteen months have been at times, terrifying and exhilarating and it became clear very quickly that Hackney Empire owes a huge debt to the team of remarkable staff and to you, our audience. We firstly want to say a huge thank you to staff, past and present who have worked tirelessly on Hackney Empire’s behalf, supporting the young people in the borough, maintaining the building, raising money and much, much more over this time. You, our audience have energised us all to keep going. Your messages of support and kind donations have made this dark time much brighter and we will be forever grateful.

We are hoping to open on 4 August. We will be following government guidelines in terms of social distancing and Covid safety measures and will make sure we do everything possible to keep you and our staff safe at all times. It might feel a little different but we will let you know what changes we have made before you come back.

We were delighted to be able to announce earlier this month that Leona Lewis has joined as our Patron. She has been working over the last few months with a group of young people over zoom in what has been a life changing experience for them and we can’t wait to see what the next year brings.

Thank you again and we are so looking forward to welcoming you back.

Yamin Choudury Artistic Director

Jo Hemmant Executive Director

WELCOME BACK

Arcola Theatre presents

DIE WALKÜRE Part of Grimeborn 2021 in association with Hackney Empire Wed 4, Fri 6 & Sat 7 Aug 2021, 7pm | £60 - £15 Two strangers, Sieglinde and Siegmund, meet in a storm.

Their chance encounter rapidly turns into a consuming love affair.

But their connection is not all as it seems...

Fleeing for their safety, the couple spark the fury of their father, plunging the world into an apocalyptic battle for power.

Director Julia Burbach and Music Director Peter Selwyn reunite after their critically-acclaimed take on Das Rheingold (2019) with a bold reimagining of the second act of Wagner‘s Ring Cycle.

Accompanied by an orchestra of 18 musicians, Grimeborn Festival brings Jonathan Dove’s stirring adaptation of Wagner’s magical opera of gods and goddesses to Hackney Empire in the heart of East London.

NIGHTSHADE Sat 14 Aug 2021, 7.30pm | £6, £3 Inspired by Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet Adaptation written by Sumah Ebelé Devised by the Artist Development Programme 2021 Company When worlds collide and hate divides, what will it finally take to bury this strife?

Born enemies find themselves in the same place at the same time, with only 6 weeks to change their fate. Fuelled by love, inherited hatred and now questioning all they know, a pair of star-cross’d lovers will change the course of history as we know it.

The classic love story, re-imagined and retold by a young ensemble experiencing the summer of their lives; brought to you this August by the Artist Development Programme 2021 Company at Hackney Empire.

The Artist Development Programme (ADP) is a two-week summer programme; in just ten days a company of young artists and creatives aged 14-19 years old and mentored by industry professionals, will create and present a sensational new piece of musical theatre, which if you with patient ears attend, what here shall miss, their toil shall strive to mend.

WELCOME BACK

CLINTON BAPTISTE GOES STRATOSPHERIC Sat 4 Sep 2021, 8pm | £22.50 From Bolton via Vegas…..to the stars!

Clinton Baptiste is the hapless, unsubtle psychic from Peter Kay’s Phoenix Nights. Following his sell out tour of 2019-20 The Paranormalist Returns, Clinton has taken a whirlwind tour of the US. Hear his tales of rubbing shoulders with the hippy dippy new-agers from La La Land and how he hits the big time in Vegas with his lavish psychic show. For a while things couldn’t be better. A new lease of life, new teeth, new hair and a buttock lift. (Both of them.)

But a humbly spiritual man at heart, Clinton realises that sometimes all that glitters ain’t gold and now returns to you, his beloved British audience to once again conjure up those pure selfless gifts he was born with. For tonight, ladies and gentlemen, Clinton will all cast fame and fortune aside... and heal the world!

Viva Las Vegas…Viva Clinton!

TOUCH OF CLASS: A CELEBRATION OF MOTHERS Sat 11 Sep 2021, 7.30pm | £35 - £22.50 The UK’s Number one Comedy & Music showcase, the show that gave you Freddie McGreggor live in Hackney Empire, brings another star studded line up to the stage. On this night we celebrate the Mothers of the planet, our Sisters, Grandmothers, Aunts, Daughters and Mothers. Once again we fuse together the best in UK reggae music with the UK’s finest comedians to give you an action packed non-stop night of entertainment.

COMEDIANS SLIM – The People’s Champion FELICITY ETHNIC – Queen Of Comedy KEVIN J – Award Winning RUDY LICKWOOD – The Real McCoy TV Show CHRISTOPHER SAVAGE – Instagram Sensation LIVE MUSIC PERFORMANCES JANET KAY – Silly Games WAYNE MARSHALL performing G Spot TOP CAT – Love Mi Sess Hosted by STAMINA, Music DJ CEESIX

COMEDY THE SOCIALLY DISTANT SPORTS BAR: LIVE! Sat 18 & Sun 19 Sep 2021, 7.30pm | £25 Join Elis, Mike and Steff as they take their smash hit podcast The Socially Distant Sports Bar out on the road for the very first time.

Be in the away end/audience as the team discuss big sporting stories such as wooing an optician with a camping stove in Bath; having lunch with Joe Frazier and Nigel Havers in a hotel near Maesteg; the social history of Carmarthernshire 1895-1915; and X-Rated trips to Wimbledon in the 1980s (to not watch the tennis).

They may even get around to talking about some actual sport.

Age guidance 14+

SINDHU VEE: ALPHABET Thu 23 Sep 2021, 8pm | £19.50 A brand-new show about the hair we want, the friends we have, and living the vast difference between virus and viral. Expect ‘outspoken, frank and funny stand-up’ (Evening Standard) from this Edinburgh Comedy Awards Best Newcomer nominee.

As seen on Live at the Apollo, QI, Have I Got News for You and Sex Education and heard on Radio 4’s Things My Mother Never Told Me (…About Lockdown) and The Guilty Feminist podcast.

‘Acerbic perspective and unapologetic delivery’ The List

CHRIS RAMSEY – THE 20/20 TOUR Fri 24 Sep 2021 & Fri 4 Feb 2022, 7.30pm | £22 Critically acclaimed comedian Chris Ramsey is hitting the road for his biggest ever stand-up tour yet. Having filled venues across the country including The Newcastle Metro Arena (twice) don’t miss your chance to catch him live on stage while you can.

His stand-up special Approval Needed is available to stream on Amazon Prime now and alongside his wife Rosie he is also the co-host of the no.1 hit podcast Shagged. Married. Annoyed.

‘A brilliantly engaging natural storyteller‘ Evening Standard ‘Engaging and incisive‘ The Independent on Sunday Age guidance 14+

BEAM2021: Fri 10 Sept, 2021 10am-6pm BEAM Live & On Demand: £50 BEAM Live & On Demand and Song Prize Live: £70 BEAM Online (including on demand): £30 Online & On Demand available via stream.theatre BEAM2021 is a live and digital all-day event, the UK’s biggest showcase of new musical theatre.

BEAM features presentations of new musicals in development from throughout the UK, including ideas ranging from daytime bhangra raves to climate change told as a love story, from challenging the UK’s hostile environment policy to singing lesbian pirates. BEAM is for anyone interested in musicals. The 38 new musicals, found via a nationwide call-out, will be presented in live or digital form with stream.theatre also livestreaming the whole event.

BEAM is produced by Mercury Musical Developments and Musical Theatre Network, with funding and support from Arts Council England, the PRS Foundation, the Coach Jack Curran Trust, Youth Music and the Coral Samuel Charitable Foundation.

Early-bird discounts available until 12pm, Fri 30 Jul 2021, and member discounts available.

STILES & DREWE BEST NEW SONG PRIZE CONCERT: Fri 10 Sept, 2021 7.30pm-9pm Song Prize Live: £25 BEAM Live & On Demand and Song Prize Live: £70 Song Prize Online & On Demand: £20 The Stiles & Drewe Best New Song Prize is awarded on an annual basis and recognises an outstanding song from a new musical, written by a member of Mercury Musical Developments the UK’s largest membership organisation dedicated to developing new musical theatre writing.

12 finalists have been selected from 175 song submissions, and these songs will be showcased in an all-star concert at Hackney Empire featuring some of the West End’s favourite performers.

They will be joined by a panel of industry judges, including composer George Stiles, and the winner will receive a prize of £1,000 towards developing their work.

Join us in an exciting evening of celebrating new musical theatre writing!

Early-bird discounts available until 12pm, Fri 30 Jul 2021, and member discounts available.

FREEDOM SONG: WHEN GOSPEL CAME TO THE EMPIRE Sat 25 Sep 2021, 7pm | £35 - £10 In 1871 a group of singers from Nashville, Tennessee, took to the road to raise money for their university. But this was no ordinary student choir. The Fisk Jubilee Singers were freed slaves. Their mission was not only to build the first black University in the Southern States after emancipation but also to fight for the right of all African Americans to be educated.

They remain beacons of the civil rights movement 150 years on. In Freedom Song, two local community choirs are joined by a professional band and soloists on a musical journey which celebrates the power of music to overcome oppression and bring people from all backgrounds together.

Age guidance: 7+. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult

OLIVER SAMUELS IN CRAZY BUT TRUE Sat 16 Oct 2021, 8pm | £33 Written by Oliver Samuels and Dennis Titus Directed by Oliver Samuels OLIVER SAMUELS is celebrating many glorious years in theatre, with his brand new play “CRAZY BUT TRUE”.

Co-starring his long-standing partner Volier ”Maffy” Johnson with Dennis Titus, Lakeisha Ellison and Malessa Vassell.

The audience will be kept guessing, gasping and laughing at every turn as the story unfolds and secrets are uncovered.

‘Crazy but True’ is a true story, for the whole family which will leave the audience wondering, ‘Can money buy sanity?’.

WELCOME BACK

ENGLISH TOURING OPERA

HANDEL:

AMADIGI Fri 1 & Sat 2 Oct 2021, 7.30pm | £37 - £10

English Touring Opera returns to the stage with magic for lovers of all ages. Handel’s opera Amadigi is one of his finest, though rarely performed.

Based on a chivalric romance about three young people imprisoned by a sorceress, Handel’s version is brimming with youthful vigour, humour and tears. The miracle is that Handel, a secretive bachelor, could so vividly depict the delirious highs and savage lows to which love can reduce us all. The cast is led by soprano Francesca Chiejina, direct from the Royal Opera House.

This new production with ETO’s period orchestra partner, the Old Street Band, is conducted by Jonathan Peter Kenny, directed by James Conway, and designed by Neil Irish with Rory Beaton and Harry Pizzey.

WELCOME BACK

D RL O W RE IE EM PR

VANARA

THE LEGEND. THE MUSICAL Fri 22 - Sat 30 Oct 2021, 7.30pm (Wed 27 & Sat 30 Oct, 2.30pm) | £43.50 - £11 Fri 22 Oct 7.30pm performance is a preview. All tickets are £20 Vanara The Musical is a story of love and sacrifice and nature at its most unpredictable.

On another earth, in another time, where nature is revered and life is full of dangers, two tribes are locked in an age-old battle. One has the secret of fire, the other wants it. One young woman must decide: protect the life she knows or burn it down.

Produced by Oscar winner Giovanna Romagnoli, this World Premiere production reunites an acclaimed international creative team.

With a soaring original score by Gianluca Cucchiara, lyrics by Andrew James Whelan and book by Michael Conley the team includes Eleesha Drennan (Director and Choreographer), Adam Lenson (Director and Dramaturg) and Libby Todd (Set and Costume Design).

With a prevailing message of hope and call for unity, Vanara resonates with the chaos of today’s society and an earth ravaged by natural disasters.

This musical phenomenon has gained cult status among fans throughout its development process. Blending theatre, contemporary dance, and technical innovation, Vanara crafts a new language for musical theatre.

It is an excitingly modern musical like nothing before.

Age guidance 10+

See the trailer here

WELCOME BACK

Sat 20 Nov 2021 - Sun 2 Jan 2022 When happy-go-lucky Jack is tempted into selling his family’s beloved cow for a bag full of magic beans, he finds himself tangled in an adventure of GIANT proportions. Join Jack on his journey up an enchanted beanstalk as he tries to outwit a rampaging giant, all with the help of his larger-than-life mum – Dame Trot.

This year’s production of Jack and the Beanstalk will welcome a fantastic new team to join Olivier Award-winning Clive Rowe, as well as many of the familiar faces that make Hackney Empire’s panto one of the best in the land. Full creative team and casting will be announced in due course.

We’re proud to present West End quality at East End prices, so book today to guarantee some much-needed magic for your loved ones this panto season. With tickets starting at just £10, there’s no need to sell the family cow! £42 - £10

“BE IT SAUNTERING INTO THE AUDIENCE TO FLIRT WITH THE FRONT ROW, OR BELTING OUT A BANGER, [CLIVE ROWE] IS AWESOME” The Stage

“SEASONED DAME CLIVE ROWE IS ENDLESSLY FUNNY” Time Out

“IF THERE’S A BURLIER OR BETTER DAME IN THE LAND THAN CLIVE ROWE I’VE YET TO SEE HIM” The Times

WELCOME BACK

A VISION OF ELVIS Sat 22 Jan 2022, 7.30pm | £27.50 - £22.50 The smash hit show A Vision of Elvis starring Rob Kingsley, winner of the National Tribute Music Awards “Official Elvis Show” and “No.1 Male Tribute” is internationally renowned as the best Elvis Presley tribute concert touring the World today.

Featuring Elvis’s greatest hits including, Heartbreak Hotel, Blue Suede Shoes, Hound Dog, Jailhouse Rock, All Shook Up, In The Ghetto, Suspicious Minds, American Trilogy and many more.

“Like a one to one with Elvis” President of the Official Elvis Presley Fan Club Finland “The King is Back” Rolling Stones Magazine

WELCOME BACK

ED GAMBLE: ELECTRIC Thu 10 - Sat 12 Feb 2022, 7.30pm | £20 After a sell-out tour of his house in 2020 (extended into 2021 due to popular demand), Ol’ Broken Pancreas is charged up and ready to flick the switch on another night of attention seeking. Co-host of the award-winning mega-hit podcast Off Menu with James Acaster, Taskmaster champion, and has his own special Blood Sugar available worldwide on Amazon Prime.

As seen and heard on Mock the Week (BBC2), Live At the Apollo (BBC), The Russell Howard Hour (Sky), QI (BBC2), Would I Lie To You (BBC) and Sunday mornings on Radio X alongside Matthew Crosby.

“An ability to open his mouth and spontaneously say something hysterically funny” James Kettle, The Guardian Age guidance 14+

HENNING WEHN: GET ON WITH IT Fri 18 Mar 2022, 7.30pm | £24.50 - £15 You couldn’t make it up; surely the German Comedy Ambassador Henning Wehn hasn’t bosched out yet another new show? And what’s he still doing here anyway? Well, his lack of transferable skills is what keeps him here and his belief that practise makes perfect is what keeps him going. This show is a much needed call to arms.

Listen, everyone: stop pondering and hand-wringing. Instead get on your bike and put your face to the grindstone!

“As subtle as Schumacher on Battiston” some bloke on Twitter “Die entgueltige Teilung Europas – das ist mein Auftrag” Henning himself Henning’s most recent television and radio appearances include “Live At The Apollo” BBC2, “Have I Got News For You” BBC1, “Would I Lie To You” BBC1, “8 Out Of Cats Does Countdown” Channel 4, “Fighting Talk” BBC Radio 5 Live and “The Unbelievable Truth” BBC Radio 4.

“Wehn wraps his vowels around the issues of immigration and identity. And he triumphs at it” The Times “Cor blimey” The Guardian Age guidance 16+

COMEDY NISH KUMAR CONTROL Fri 22 & Sat 23 Apr 2022, 8pm | £22.50 “Comedian Nish Kumar was booed off stage after making Brexit jokes at a charity event on Monday night. Kumar, who hosts the BBC’s Mash Report, was performing at the Lord’s Taverners annual charity cricket lunch.” BBC News Report – 3rd December 2019 TAKE...

“You can boo, but booing’s got nothing to do with it” Bob Dylan ... BACK...

“Man, I’ve got grown men @ing me bulls**t/You’re getting way too old for the timeline” Stormzy ... CONTROL “I was at a hospital the other night where I think there were a few coronavirus patients and I shook hands with everybody, you will be pleased to know, and I continue to shake hands” Boris Johnson – 3rd March 2020 Control is a new show from the host of the Mash Report and one of the Guardian’s Top Fifty Comedians of the 21st Century. As seen on Live at the Apollo, Taskmaster, Netflix’s Comedians of the World, QI, Conan and The News.

“Kumar is the smartest, and often the silliest, political comic we’ve got: acute, furious and often the ridiculous fall guy of his own jokes” The Guardian “One of the best young comedians we have” The Times Age guidance 18+

JAMALI MADDIX: KING CRUD Sat 28 May 2022, 7.30pm | £18 - £12 As seen on Taskmaster (Channel4), Frankie Boyle’s New World Order (BBC2) and his critically acclaimed series Hate Thy Neighbor for Vice, Jamali Maddix is heading out on tour. With a brand new show for 2021 Jamali will be tackling more home truths and universal issues.

A master of the craft this latest show is not to be missed.

HHHH Sunday Times HHHH Independent HHHH Chortle Age guidance 18+

FAMILY PEPPA PIG’S BEST DAY EVER Fri 29 & Sat 30 Jul 2022, 10am, 1pm, 4pm | £20 - £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!

Prepare for the brand new Peppa Pig live show packed full of songs, games and laughter, it really is the best day ever for Peppa Pig fans!

CREATIVE FUTURES HE CREATIVE FUTURES PRESENTS: THE WRITER’S ROOM FILMS The Bartender’s Prayer by Adil Hassan The Comeback by Jahraine Yankana Feelings by Jeremiah Bami Cultivate by Ozioma Ihesiene The Writers’ Room led by Jasmyn Fisher-Ryner took place over 9 months delivered in person and online where we developed four new young writers to create screenplays. To showcase their stories, we brought together an amazing team of creatives led by Max Dickter to create brand new short films. Expect drama, comedy and coming of age.

Released on Hackney Empire’s YouTube channel on Thu 5 Aug 2021.

HACKNEY SHED FEST Fri 20 Aug 2021 | Free | Check website for details This August we have partnered with Hackney Shed for their 20th Anniversary. Hackney Shed Fest will bring together young people, local communities and professional artists in a performance festival over two weeks that celebrates 20 years of Hackney Shed’s leading inclusive practice.

This will culminate in the community being welcomed to the lawns of The Museum of The Home for a 1-evening Festival showcasing Untold Stories of Hackney; a devised piece exploring the diverse history and imagination of our young people.

VIOLET Thu 23 Jun 2022, 7.30pm | £40 - £10 There are 100 tickets available for U30 across all prices for just £15.

Combining the acclaimed talents of writer Alice Birch (TV adaptations include Normal People; film Lady Macbeth; 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), Violet is opera for now and about now.

The Royal Opera in association with Hackney Empire present A co-commission and co-production by Music Theatre Wales, Britten Pears Arts and The Royal Opera Production staged in association with the London Sinfonietta Music Tom Coult Libretto Alice Birch Director Jude Christian

Desginers Rosie Elnile and Cécile Trémolières Conductor Andrew Gourlay Orchestra London Sinfonietta

Sung in English with English surtitles Performance is 85 mins without interval Age guidance: 12+ (contains strong language)

THANK YOU! Over the last year we have had so much support from our community and we will be forever grateful. It has meant that we are able to open our doors again but have also been able to champion, support and nurture our young people and communities. We have tried to thank everyone on the website, let us know if we haven’t included you!

There has never been a better time to join our amazing community of friends and supporters and be at the heart of Hackney Empire. hackneyempire.co.uk/friends

WELCOME BACK

CALENDAR AUGUST

NOVEMBER

Wed 4 Die Walküre

7pm

Fri 6

Die Walküre

7pm

Sat 7

Die Walküre

7pm

Sat 14 Nightshade 7.30pm

Sat 20 Nov - Sun 2 Jan

Jack And The Beanstalk

Various

JANUARY 2022 Sat 22 A Vision of Elvis

7.30pm

SEPTEMBER 2021 FEBRUARY

Sat 4

Clinton Baptiste goes stratospheric

8pm

Thu 10 Ed Gamble: Electric

Fri 10

BEAM2021 10am-6pm Stiles + Drew Best New Song Prize 7.30pm

Ed Gamble: Electric

7.30pm

Sat 12 Ed Gamble: Electric

7.30pm

Sat 11

Touch of class: A celebration of mothers

7.30pm

Fri 11

7.30pm

MARCH

Sat 18 The Socially Distant

Sports Bar: Live!

7.30pm

Fri 18 Henning Wehn: Get On With It

Sun 19 The Socially Distant

Sports Bar: Live!

7.30pm

APRIL

Thu 23 Sindhu Vee: Alphabet Fri 24 Chris Ramsey - The 20/20 Tour

8pm

Fri 22 Nish Kumar Control

8pm

7.30pm

Sat 23 Nish Kumar Control

8pm

Sat 25 Freedom Song: When Gospel

Came To The Empire

7pm

MAY Sat 28 Jamali Maddix: King Crud

OCTOBER Fri 1

ETO – Amadigi Di Gaula

7.30pm

Sat 2

ETO – Amadigi Di Gaula

7.30pm

Sat 16 Oliver Samuels in

Crazy But True Fri 22

7.30pm

8pm

Vanara: The Legend. The Musical 7.30pm

7.30pm

JUNE Thu 23 Violet

7.30pm

JULY

Sat 23 Vanara: The Legend. The Musical 7.30pm

Fri 29 Peppa Pig’s Best Day Ever 10am, 1pm, 4pm

Mon 25 Vanara: The Legend. The Musical 7.30pm

Sat 30 Peppa Pig’s Best Day Ever 10am, 1pm, 4pm

Tue 26 Vanara: The Legend. The Musical 7.30pm Wed 27 Vanara: The Legend. The Musical 2.30pm

Vanara: The Legend. The Musical 7.30pm Thu 28 Vanara: The Legend. The Musical 7.30pm Fri 29

Vanara: The Legend. The Musical 7.30pm

Sat 30 Vanara: The Legend. The Musical 2.30pm

Vanara: The Legend. The Musical 7.30pm KEY

Comedy

Drama

Empire Local

Family

Music

Musial Theatre

Opera

INFORMATION BOX OFFICE The Box Office window is currently open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays 10am - 6pm 291 Mare Street, London E8 1EJ

hackneyempire.co.uk 020 8985 2424 Online and telephone booking fees apply for all shows and often vary.

Check individual shows on our website for further details.

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Cover and inside front cover photos by Matt Humphrey Hackney Empire Limited is registered charity in England and Wales No. 1062085

Graham Road

30, 38, 48, 55, 106, 253, 254, 276, 394, D6, W15.

Town Hall Reading Lane

Chatham Place

Lane Morning Wilton Way

Valette Street

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 Hackney Central d

Mare Street

GETTING TO HACKNEY EMPIRE

Paragon Road

Richmond Road

THE EMPIRE BAR The Empire Bar is currently closed, please check the website for up-to-date information.

All details were correct when we sent this to print. For the latest information including any changes or updates, please check our website.