Hackney Empire

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Hackney Empire

The Hackney Empire is a theatre on Mare Street, Hackney, London, built in 1901 as a music hall.

1 History
2 Stand-up comedy
3 Modern times
4 Patrons
5 Transport
6 See also
7 References

[edit] History

Hackney Empire is a grade II* listed building. The theatre was built as a music hall in 1901, designed by the architect Frank Matcham.

Charlie Chaplin, WC Fields, Stan Laurel and Marie Lloyd all performed there, when the Hackney Empire was a music hall.

ATV bought the theatre to use as studios in the 1950s, and shows such as Take Your Pick and Oh, Boy! were broadcast live from the venue. Some scenes from Emergency - Ward 10 were also filmed there. From 1963 to 1984 the theatre was used by the Mecca Organisation as a bingo hall.

When, in 1984 Mecca found the building too expensive to maintain as a bingo hall, it was offered to C.A.S.T, a satirical touring theatre group, headed by Claire and Roland Muldoon, as a London base. Not only was it used by them, it also mounted successful variety nights headlined by a new breed of alternative comedy acts, such as Ben Elton, Dawn French, and Jennifer Saunders.

The theatre was threatened with demolition, and in 1986, the actor-manager Roland Muldoon mounted a campaign to acquire the freehold and to re-open the Hackney Empire as a permanent performance space. He remains the Artist Director and Chief Executive of the theatre.

[edit] Stand-up comedy

Hackney Empire was a leading centre in the alternative comedy boom of the 1980s - Ben Elton, Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders, Jeremy Hardy, Mark Steel, Arthur Smith, Jo Brand, Harry Hill, Paul Merton, Harry Enfield and Bill Bailey have all performed there, amongst many others.

Arthur Smith hosts the important annual Hackney Empire New Act of the Year competition for up and coming stand-up comedy talent.

[edit] Modern times

In 2001 the Empire closed for a £17 million refurbishment project, and reopened in 2004 - returned to theatrical use on its 85th birthday. The restoration includes a 60-seat orchestra pit, to make the Empire suitable for opera performance, by companies such as English Touring Opera. Other new facilities include a studio theatre, educational and hospitality facilities; as well as incorporating the public house next door, into the new extension. There are also purpose-built dressing rooms, replacing the original primitive facilities. In addition to Muldoon, the comedian Griff Rhys-Jones led the restoration appeal, with a large donation coming from local businessman Sir Alan Sugar.