Hackney Empire
Theater · Hackney Central, England
The Hackney Empire is a theatre at 291 Mare Street with a capacity of 1268 for seated shows and 1631 for standing gigs, across Stalls, Dress Circle, Upper Circle and Gallery. The box office opens Monday to Friday, 10am to 6pm, or from two hours before all shows. The building is Grade II* listed, NHLE 1226960, listed on 28 June 1972. Hackney Town Hall next door is Grade II, NHLE 1235869, and its civic garden walls and lamp piers Grade II, NHLE 1235870.
History
The theatre opened on 9 December 1901 to a design by Frank Matcham. ATV converted it to television studios in the mid-1950s, broadcasting Take Your Pick and Oh, Boy!. The Mecca Organisation ran it as a bingo hall from 1963 to 1984. Roland Muldoon's campaign secured the freehold in 1986 and returned it to live performance. It closed in 2001 for a £17 million refurbishment by Tim Ronalds Architects and reopened in 2004 with an orchestra pit, a studio theatre and rebuilt stage facilities.
Visit
291 Mare Street, London E8 1EJ
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