MAY - AUG 2025
WORLD COMEDY CLASH 2025
Sat 10 May, 7.30pm | £20 - £35
12 Comedians, 11 Countries, 1 Stage. Which country will take the crown?
The original and longest running comedy clash show returns with its annual extravaganza, with an all-star line-up including White Yardie, Richard Blackwood, Kojo Anim and more.
Age guidance: 16+
DELTA GOODREM –MISTAKEN IDENTITY: A NIGHT OF CELEBRATION
Wed 14 & Thu 15 May, 7.30pm | £35 - £57.50
Delta Goodrem is an award-winning singer-songwriter, musician, actress and bestselling author, with five number-one albums, nine number-one singles, 17 top-10 hits, 12 Australian ARIA Awards, a Silver Logie TV Award and three World Music Awards.
BRIAN BILSTON & HENRY NORMAL
Fri 16 May, 7.30pm | £19.50 - £29.50
Brian Bilston and Henry Normal appear together in a show which one critic has described as “two people reading some poems”. Along the way, they will be drawing on their vast catalogue of crowd favourites – and throwing in new poems, to prevent becoming their own tribute bands.
An evening of poems to be enjoyed not endured.
Age guidance: 14+
ELLIE TAYLOR:
PALAVERING
Sat 17 May, 7.30pm | £24.50
Star of Ted Lasso, Live at the Apollo and The Mash Report, as well as host of Bake Off The Professionals, Ellie Taylor is back with a new stand up show!
Come along to watch a nice lady giddily over-share because she’s thrilled to be out the house!
Age guidance: 16+
KERRY GODLIMAN: BANDWIDTH
Thu 22 May, 7.30pm | £21
Kerry Godliman, comedian, actor, writer, podcaster and broadcaster, returns to the stage with her straight-talking charm and quick wit in a brand-new stand-up show.
Come and hear about the life of a middle-aged woman who hasn’t got the bandwidth for any of this.
Age guidance: 14+
NISH KUMAR:
NISH, DON’T KILL MY VIBE
Sat 24 May, 5pm & 8.30pm | £15
Nish Kumar, one of The Guardian and The Telegraph’s 50 Best Comedians of the 21st Century, is back with his latest politically charged show. Expect jokes about climate collapse, income inequality and the emotional sensation of being a British Indian man who didn’t vote for a British Indian Prime Minister. Sweet, sweet vibe killing.
Age guidance: 14+
PAUL MIRABEL
Fri 6 Jun, 8pm | £25 - £40
Known for his distinctive, quirky comedic style and relatable storytelling, Paul Mirabel has had a meteoric rise, from comedy clubs to the 12,000-person Accor Arena in Paris and two sold-out shows in London.
Performed in French
BBC SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: CBEEBIES PROM WILDLIFE JAMBOREE
Fri 13 & Sat 14 Jun, 10.30am & 1.45pm | £12.50 - £25 (50% off for anyone 18 and under)
Join some of your favourite CBeebies friends to celebrate the natural world at the spectacular Wildlife Jamboree with the BBC Symphony Orchestra and brilliant conductor Karen Ní Bhroin. Prowl with the tigers, stamp in the snow, and hear the desert wind, as well as going on an adventure to find one of the tiniest creatures in the world.
THE BLESSING: POWER TO COMMUNITY
Sun 22 Jun, 6.30pm | £10 - £30
A spectacular celebration marking Windrush Day and Refugee Week 2025 that will bring together musicians, artists and our local community. Featuring drumming, spoken word, steel pan, singing and an exciting line up of musical headliners.
A partnership between Hackney Empire, Counterpoints Arts, and Rising Tide. Funded by the Windrush Day Grant Scheme, supported by Ministry of Housing Community and Local Government administered by Near Neighbours. Supported by Hackney Council.
SAMAY RAINA: UNFILTERED
Sat 28 Jun, 3pm & 7pm | £40.50 - £61.50
Samay Raina live in London!
This is the last time you and your friends can watch him perform this show live, as he’ll be retiring this material after the tour.
Age guidance: 18+
Performed in Hindi
THE LAVARI SHOW
Sat 12 Jul, 7.30pm | £22.50 - £37
The Lavari Show is the premiere Gujarati live talk show, blending stand-up comedy with improv.
Join charismatic hosts
Manan Desai and Chirayu Mistry, alongside special guests Deep Vaidya and Om Bhatt, as they bring a fresh, comedic twist.
Age guidance: 16+
Performed in Gujarati
COMING SOON
KOJO ANIM: MARRIED TO THE GAME
Fri 12 Sep, 9pm | £25.50 - £32.50
Kojo Anim celebrates 25 years in comedy with a special performance at his local theatre. Kojo has appeared as Capital Xtra’s breakfast show as the host for 5 years, Britain’s Got Talent Golden Buzzer Winner and international tours with Kevin Hart, Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle. The Fresh Prince of Hackney is finally coming home.
Age guidance: 16+
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-Fri 10am-6pm (except Bank Holidays)
Booking fees: £1.20 per ticket online, £1.40 per ticket over the phone. No booking fees if booked in person.
291 Mare Street, London E8 1EJ
Follow us:
@HackneyEmpire
For all of our shows, we don’t allow unaccompanied children under the age of 14 into Hackney Empire and all under 14’s must be accompanied by an adult (18+). Our Gallery has unreserved bench seating and is not recommended for under 14s.
GETTING TO HACKNEY EMPIRE
Hackney Central (just over 200m), Hackney Downs and London Fields (700m) all have frequent and direct links to the tube network. 30, 38, 55, 106, 253, 254, 276, 394, D6, W15.
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!
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
Our choir meets weekly and anyone can join to sing and have fun. Led by Joseph Roberts.
WHAT’S ON
Fri 2 May, 8pm LIVE AT THE EMPIRE WITH SIMON AMSTELL
Thu 8 May, 8pm FILTHY FELLAS 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY
Fri 9 May, 7.30pm JAMALI MADDIX: ASTON
Sat 10 May, 7.30pm WORLD COMEDY CLASH 2025
Wed 14 & Thu 15 May, 7.30pm DELTA GOODREM – MISTAKEN IDENTITY: A NIGHT OF CELEBRATION
Fri 16 May, 7.30pm BRIAN BILSTON & HENRY NORMAL
Sat 17 May, 7.30pm ELLIE TAYLOR: PALAVERING
Thu 22 May, 7.30pm KERRY GODLIMAN: BANDWIDTH
Sat 24 May, 5pm & 8.30pm NISH KUMAR: NISH, DON’T KILL MY VIBE
Sun 25 May, 7.30pm THE COOL RULER: THE MUSICAL
Mon 26 May, 7.30pm ASHLEY WALTERS: ALWAYS WINNING
Thu 5 Jun, 7.30pm NICK MOHAMMED IS MR. SWALLOW: SHOW PONY
Fri 6 Jun, 8pm PAUL MIRABEL
Fri 13 & Sat 14 Jun, BBC SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: 10.30am & 1.45pm CBEEBIES PROM WILDLIFE JAMBOREE
Sun 22 Jun, 6.30pm THE BLESSING: POWER TO COMMUNITY
Sat 28 Jun, 3pm & 7pm SAMAY RAINA: UNFILTERED
Sat 12 Jul, 7.30pm THE LAVARI SHOW
Sat 9 Aug, 7.30pm ARTIST DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME 2025 Fri 12 Sep, 9pm KOJO ANIM: MARRIED TO THE GAME
Sat 22 Nov – Wed 31 Dec, CINDERELLA Times vary
KEY Comedy Theatre / Musical Theatre Podcasts / Talks / Spoken Word Live Music Family / Pantomime Community
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
