What's On at Hackney Empire: Sep - Dec 2022

WHAT’S ON SEP - DEC 2022

CELEBRATING 120 YEARS OF UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCES...

WELCOME As we come to the end of our 120 th birthday year celebrations, we want to thank everyone who’s contributed their memories and supported us during the year.

Hackney Empire depends on the support of the people who love it. As a registered charity we receive only 11% of our income from public funding and rely on fundraising to keep our Grade II* listed theatre open to the 200,000 audience members who visit it us each year. We’ve faced huge challenges caused by the pandemic, but our friends and supporters have kept us at the heart of our community.

Whether you’ve laughed at our comedy nights, danced at our gigs, seen amazing opera or come each year to our legendary pantomime, then please join us. Together we can make sure that everyone has the chance to experience the magic of Hackney Empire in the future.

There are many ways to support us - you can join as a Friend, dedicate a seat in our beautiful auditorium or leave a lasting legacy by remembering us in your will. For more information visit hackneyempire.co.uk/support.

Check out what’s coming up in the next few months at Hackney Empire.

From Rob Beckett to English Touring Opera, from Majah Hype to An Improbable Musical, we’re bringing you true variety this season!

And don’t forget to join us for our legendary pantomime to see off the year in style, this year Mother Goose, starring Clive Rowe.

We look forward to seeing you at Hackney Empire very soon!

Yamin Choudury Artistic Director

Jo Hemmant Executive Director

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

LCGC: MAKE THIS A NIGHT TO REMEMBER Sat 3 Sep, 7.30pm | £30 - £20 Celebrating 40 years, London Community Gospel Choir are bringing you an evening of powerful vocals, exciting musical arrangements and high energy performances featuring Jodie Abacus, Lyndrik Xela, LZ7, The League of Rebels, J Grange, Hackney Empire Community Choir and more.

LIVE AT THE EMPIRE WITH

STEWART LEE Fri 9 Sep, 8pm | £26 - £22.50

London’s biggest comedy show is back with the most critically-acclaimed comic in the land Stewart Lee, star of BBC’s Stewart Lee’s Comedy Vehicle.

Stewart will be joined by joined by Rachel Parris, Fern Brady, Fin Taylor and Fatiha El-Ghorri.

Age guidance: 16+

ROB BECKETT: WALLOP

Sat 10 Sep, 8pm | £24 - £20 Rob Beckett is BACK! It’s been a busy few years for the Mouth of the South and he’s coming to see you to fill you in and make you laugh.

As seen on Rob Beckett’s Undeniable (Comedy Central), Sky’s BAFTA-nominated Rob and Romesh Vs, Channel 4’s 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown and host of hugely popular podcast Parenting Hell.

Age guidance: 14+

SEP

ENGLISH TOURING OPERA

OCT

OTTONE Sat 1 Oct, 7.30pm | £37- £10 The tale of an emperor and his bride kept apart by court intrigue and the workings of fate, Handel’s rarely-performed Ottone returns in a revival of English Touring Opera’s 2014 production.

★★★★ “Ottone in its full splendour” Independent

AGRIPPINA Fri 7 Oct, 7.30pm | £37- £10 Handel’s masterpiece of political intrigue is the most devilish of comedies, bringing the machinations of one of opera’s most notorious characters to life in a text penned by a Roman cardinal.

★★★★ “Razor-sharp” Evening Standard

TAMERLANO Sat 8 Oct, 7.30pm | £37-£10 Tamerlano is the most perfect of Handel’s operas and a true marriage of drama and music.

Tamerlano was written in a year of inspired creativity that also saw the composition of Giulio Cesare and Rodelinda.

MULTIBUY OFFER!

BOOK FOR A NY 2 SHOWS, G ET 20% OFF. BOOK FO R ALL 3 SHOWS, G ET 25% OFF

DAVE GORMAN:

OCT

POWERPOINT TO THE PEOPLE Wed 12 Oct, 7.30pm | £28.50

Dave Gorman is one of the most original and exciting comedy minds in the UK. Known for his unique style, Dave has pioneered a number of hugely successful TV shows and has written many bestselling books.

LIVE AT THE EMPIRE WITH DAVID CROSS Thu 13 Oct, 8pm | £26 - £22.50 Emmy Award winner and Grammy Award nominee David Cross (Arrested Development, The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret, Mr Show) brings an extended headline set to Hackney Empire.

He is joined by a parade of incredible comedy talent, including Sindhu Vee (Live at the Apollo, QI and her own stand-up special ), Celya Ab (Chortle Best Newcomer 2022) and more!

COMEDY EXPLOSION WITH MAJAH HYPE AND WHITE YARDIE Fri 14 Oct, 8pm | £36 Majah Hype comes to town! Jetting in from USA, internet sensation Majah Hype is popular for his characters Mitzy with a Zee, Grandpa James and Di Rass.

Joined by UK comedy giant White Yardie, Junior Booker and Kyra Gray with some new spectacular comedy games.

PAUL CHOWDHRY: FAMILY-FRIENDLY COMEDIAN

Wed 19 & Thu 20 Oct, 8pm | £35 - £25 Following a complete sell-out 2021 tour, star of global smash hit Live Innit, Taskmaster and the first British-Asian stand-up to sell-out London’s Wembley Arena comes to Hackney!

AN IMPROBABLE MUSICAL Fri 21 - Wed 26 Oct, 2.30pm, 3.30pm & 7.30pm £33 - £16 Theatre as live as it gets.

Come and witness the creation of a brand-new musical, every night!

An Improbable Musical is directed by and stars Improbable Co-Artistic Director Lee Simpson, alongside a cast of seasoned improvisors: Josie Lawrence, Ruth Bratt, Niall Ashdown, Aya Nakamura and Clarke Joseph-Edwards!

★★★★ “Improv masters hit a glorious sweet spot” The Guardian Age guidance: 14+ With Audio Described, BSL Interpreted and Relaxed performances Image © Marc Brenner, original cast Royal & Derngate, Northampton

REGGAE CHOIR & FRIENDS Sun 30 Oct, 7.30pm | £25 The UK’s first-ever official Reggae Choir celebrates its 10th anniversary with a headline show in Hackney!

With legendary artists Winston Reedy, Black Slate and Tippa Irie alongside Reggae trio Nubian Queenz and Hackney Music Service’s Youth Choir and String Section. Hosted by Hackney Empire favourite Kat B.

OCT

NOV | DEC

DAVID O’DOHERTY: WHOA IS ME Thu 3 Nov, 8pm | £26 Here he comes again, trotting on to the stage with all of the misplaced confidence of a waiter with no pad.

There’ll be lots of talking, some apologising and some songs on a glued together plastic keyboard from 1986.

As seen on Channel 4’s Along for the Ride with David O’Doherty, 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown and BBC’s Live At the Apollo.

Age guidance: 14+

MOTHER GOOSE 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 at the end of our 120 th 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!

Praise for Jack and the Beanstalk (2021):

★★★★

★★★★

“CLIVE ROWE RETAINS HIS CROWN AS PANTO ROYALTY” The Times

“A LOVELY, JOYFUL NIGHT OUT” Time Out

With Audio Described, BSL Interpreted, Relaxed and Dementia Friendly performances

COMING SOON

LEVELLERS Thu 9 Mar 2023, 7.30pm | £39.50 Five years after they set out on their hugely acclaimed 2018 Acoustic Tour, and released its companion album We The Collective, the Levellers will embark upon a brand new Acoustic Tour in 2023 which will be accompanied by a new album of acoustic reworkings of some of their finest compositions.

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.

WRITERS’ ROOM 19 Oct - 14 Dec, Every Wednesday, 6pm - 8pm A free programme that will strengthen your storytelling skills by writing a script.

Led by industry professionals you will learn new writing and will have the opportunity to see your play performed by professional actors in January.

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: Courtesy of the family of Albert E Turpin. Iinside cover by 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 Sat 3 Sep, 7.30pm

LCGC: MAKE THIS A NIGHT TO REMEMBER

Fri 9 Sep, 8pm

LIVE AT THE EMPIRE WITH STEWART LEE

Sat 10 Sep, 8pm

ROB BECKETT: WALLOP

Sat 1 Oct, 7.30pm

ENGLISH TOURING OPERA: OTTONE

Fri 7 Oct, 7.30pm

ENGLISH TOURING OPERA: AGRIPPINA

Sat 8 Oct, 7.30pm

ENGLISH TOURING OPERA: TAMERLANO

Wed 12 Oct, 7.30pm

DAVE GORMAN: POWERPOINT TO THE PEOPLE

Thu 13 Oct, 8pm

LIVE AT THE EMPIRE WITH DAVID CROSS

Fri 14 Oct, 8pm

COMEDY EXPLOSION WITH MAJAH HYPE AND WHITE YARDIE

Wed 19 & Thu 20 Oct, 8pm

PAUL CHOWDHRY: FAMILY-FRIENDLY COMEDIAN

Fri 21 - Wed 26 Oct, 2.30pm, 3.30pm & 7.30pm

AN IMPROBABLE MUSICAL

Sun 30 Oct, 7.30pm

REGGAE CHOIR & FRIENDS

Thu 3 Nov, 8pm Sat 19 Nov - Sat 31 Dec, Times vary

DAVID O’DOHERTY: WHOA IS ME MOTHER GOOSE

KEY COMEDY

THEATRE

FAMILY

MUSIC

OPERA

LOVE HACKNEY EMPIRE? FIND OUT MORE ABOUT DEDICATING A SEAT IN OUR LEGENDARY AUDITORIUM hackneyempire.co.uk 020 8985 2424

@HackneyEmpire

020 8985 2424