Hackney Empire

Visited the Hackney Empire to watch Romeo and Juliet. I haven’t been to this theatre in over 9 years. The venue was clean, the seat itself was comfortable, however they were very cramped. The chair in-front was digging into my knees, and the seats were quite high off the floor, my feet were not able to touch the ground. The lighting was impressive and was not too much. The music was great, I was seating in the upper circle on the left and it was quite hard to make out what the actors were saying as it was not that clear. The toilets were clean and they had quite a few available so you didn’t have to wait in a line to use the toilet. You cannot bring snacks or drinks into the theatre but they do have a place inside where you can buy snacks and drinks. So that rule doesn’t make too much sense, as security check your bags anyways. The security downstairs were lovely, we had a nice chat while they were checking our bags and scanning our tickets. It was easy to collect our ticket from the ticket box. The performances were passionate and heartfelt, and the staging brought a fresh, modern twist to the classic. Even though I could not really understand what they were saying as they were using old English. The only reason I knew what was going on was because I’ve watched and read Romeo and Juliet a million times. The set design was creative, and the actors really captured the emotion of the story. 5 minutes from the end the sound went, and we had a little intermission for it to be fixed. But the actors were very professional they did not break character and they kept going until there were told to stop. When they kept going however they were still able to project their voices.

The Empire is a lovely old theatre that is doing very well for itself. Not as up to date as other in the city but still a great place to go. The staff are great and the venue is clean with great facilities. Not much leg room the seats are comfortable and cosy.

Excellent place that has been providing a home to one of the best World Clashes every year. Atmosphere is always great and the box office are easy to deal with to collect tickets. They have access for wheelchair bound or similar and have a range of shows from all diverse backgrounds. But they specialise in diverse tastes which is was Hackney was about before slowing being gentrified.

The trading game. I came here to see Gary Stevenson for one of his first ever talks in London. This venue was perfect, despite so many seating it was still packed. The security worked effectively to keep the flow of people into and out of the building. I bought a seat at the dressing circle and it was a great view, very comfortable seats and toilets were nearby.

Great theatre, close to the bus stop on Mare Street where lots of buses stop. Went there for the Soap Awards. What an event! We saw most of the current cast on all of the big soaps. I could hardly recognise some of them when glammed up. Many of them came up close and greeted the fans. In the theatre, we sat quite high up in the gallery, so we had to go up 80 or more steps, phew! But the view was okay and there was good access to toilets. No bar access that night, however jugs of water were provided.

My recent visit for Unfiltered by Samay Raina was a mixed experience, largely due to comfort and logistical issues. The air conditioning was terrible, leaving the venue unpleasantly warm throughout the performance. Adding to the discomfort was the cramped seating. The lack of space between rows meant that anyone needing to leave their seat, even for a quick restroom break, disturbed multiple people and significantly hampered the overall experience. Furthermore, the phone policy created an unnecessary hurdle. While I understand the need to protect artistic material by using Yondr cases, we were not informed that these cases couldn't be opened, even at the bar, for payment. In an age where most payments are contactless via phone, this meant we couldn't buy drinks as we hadn't been advised to carry physical cards. Clearer communication on this front is essential. For a truly enjoyable evening, this venue needs to address its air conditioning, seating arrangements, and payment accessibility issues.

A bit old but a good place for a large section of people. I went for Standup Comedy and took a side corner seat. Although the ticket price is reasonable, I find it a bit hard to sit. It was tight. The staff were nice and lovely. There was no proper ventilation or air conditioning, but probably good for winter.

Loved it 💯 Their bar is surprisingly cheap ( I got a lemonade and I would highly recommend you to try it if you want something non alcoholic) ! Seats are okayish comfy. I booked seats at the very left end of Stalls row I and I absolutely got the perfect view worth every penny! Overall very nice experience ✨👍

I'm really not a fan of Hackney at all. In my 6/7 years in London town I've visited Hackney three times and unless there is a good reason, I'm not interested in visiting this borough at all. However, there is a shining beacon of light in this grubby little place - the Hackney Empire. This place features a variety of music and comedy performances. The venue itself is really beautiful. It's draped in red and gold and the stage and sound are absolutely superb. I really love this venue, shame it's in Hackney but, still, a great place for comedy and music...

Hackney Empire is a historical building & a cultural hub, famous for its pantos. Musicals, children's plays & comedy shows are also staged here.

By far the most exciting building in Hackney Central. It would be hard to miss it as the 'Hackney Empire' sign is erected on the side of the building, standing out like Hackney's saw thumb. Hosting a variety of events from such fields as music, dance, comedy and family entertainment, it is sure to have something for everyone. I went to see a band there a while ago, and the interior of the theatre blew me away. I always thought it would be nice to go, and it is great to know such a culturally rich theatre exists in Hackney. I obtained 'Orthello' tickets for a young persons rate of 5 pounds. I suggest trying to get your hands on some, as seeing the Royal Shakespeare Company perform at Hackney Empire will be magical.

The Brothers is a great play written and directed by Angie Lemar ex dj from choice fm. It's a play based on three really good friends who live together and have their issues mainly with relationships. So what Angie Lemar did is show everything from the mens perspective. So ladies you get a little insight about how men handle certains situations behinde closed doors. Really good acting and a few appearences from old faces. I do recommend it for the ladies.

Came hear as an Sri audience member of a TV filming of the John Bishop show, and gosh, what a gorgeous building! After leaving early and rushing to work, the queue already snaked around the building. The staff were organised though, and you barely noticed the wait. We were in the upper tiers (damn long queue) and the decor was fab, the stage was fantastic, the staff made the event run smoothly, and my life, that curtain! That is the most beautiful curtain I have ever seen! They have lost a star, as I just couldn't get comfortable in my seat, but I'm sure if I was further down and not leaning for the view it would have been fine.

This is a fantastic building and if you haven't managed to visit yet you need to get yourself along. I've been lucky enough to see both music and comedy here and the acoustics were fantastic for both. The sloping stage means that even if you are in the standing area you don't miss anything that is happening on the stage and you get the best view of looking up at the ceiling which is one of the decorative highlights. Good bar service with reasonable drinks which is very unusual for a venue like this and teh staff always seem to do a good job and keep the people flowing. This is a great example of how to run a theatre

A genuine pillar of Hackney, there is something so heart warming about a place that has a local platform for the arts. Not pretentious contemporary art galleries, or places where 'actors' get together and practise Faust, Hackney Empire harks back to Britain of old, where the theatre meant escapism, vaudeville and quality family time. There is currently 'Mother Goose' on here as their Christmas pantomime. Anywhere with a panto is fine by me. I've been and it's it's a marvel. Anytime i pass here, there's always hoards of people waiting outside to be let in. Families with their children, local lovers on a date, grannies and their beloved, it's really heartwarming to see. Check it out and see what's going on. It's easy to disregard this Borough as the new dwelling of 'arty' folk, but the Empire exists as a reminder that this is a family place, with a real spirit.

Nice. I loved it. Came here tonight for the "Young kings of comedy" show, and I laughed my ass off. I wasn't too fond of their seating, but that's the least to worry about. Just go there to vibe, and have a good time. Hackney seems like a decent place too. I don't find any worst, or better than a borough in New York City.

Panto, Opera, Gilbert & Sullivan. Perfecto. I think they probably do normal plays too but I'll be honest the main pull of this place for me is the Gilbert & Sullivan production that livens the summer months. Recently came to see La Boheme, just in case you thought my tastes were a little low-brow for you; I arrived a little early and had to wait in the cold to get in and to my seat, but it was worth every penny. I love that the bar is in the stalls, and that you can enjoy the performance at a table should you so wish.

This vaudeville gem fallen into inevitable disrepair by the end of the 20th century was rescued by a group of comedians who raised and pooled money to resurrect it as a venue. In this rare, constructive act, these comedians have given Hackney a venue to be extremely proud of. The way it stands out in Hackney Central, adjacent Town Hall, is nearly stirring. Shame the programming isn't a bit better, but then it functions as something of a roadhouse and is at the mercy of promoters and paying the rates. Still plenty of dance, music, theatre and concert events to choose from throughout the year.

This is an amzingly suprising theatre. It looks nice but a bit pokey from the outside, but when you get in the auditorium is HUGE! It has 3 balconies and the stalls, and is stunningly done up. They do a great variety of shows with a fairly high turnover, so if you keep an eye on whats coming up there is bound to be something you'll enjoy. It is also famous for it Christmas panto, so if your going to a pantomime at christmas, then this would be a good one to check out..

The Hackney Empire is in my opinion one of the best live music venues in East London. It's eclectic mix and refurbished decor has added to the charm of this antique theatre. I saw Shakira in a charity concert here last year and it was a lot of fun, the place wasn't too packed, price for beer was reasonable and the crowd was quite mixed so it made the experience a lot of fun. Recommended if there's a good act on.

The Hackney Empire is such an amazing place, the theatre is beautiful, high standing amphitheatre, royal boxes, golds and reds ever so extravagant looking. I have been to see several shows at the Empire and went to see Cinderella there last xmas. It was such a let down for me. Although the show was great, and one of the prettiest I have seen in a long time and to be honest it would be unfair of me to give bad feedback because of this one time experience. However I felt very strongly about what happened that evening and need to share because I do think that the Empire isnt built for children shows/ panto's.. The people visiting the show (families), the staff and the management was a let down on that evening. They were allowing people to shift about, move chairs and enter the theatre even after curtains were down and the play had started. This caused major distraction and ruined our evening at the Empire. I do not at all say that all shows will be the same, however strongly recommend that Empire is avoided when children shows are on as it is not built to be utilised in that way.

I went to a gig here recently and loved the venue! It's only a two minute walk from the station which is great. I was positioned in the dress circle which provided a great view of the stage. The rest of the seating above seemed very steep so steer clear if you don't like heights. Top seats seem SO high up from the stage even though its quite a small venue so I don't think I'd ever book those. The staff were polite, happy and helpful. Get there early if you can as there is a nice bar next door, right next to the Town Hall. Also, there's a Weatherspoons opposite, if you prefer. If you're worried about the location, because it's Hackney, don't be. The Empire is in a nice spot and like I said, it's really close to the station. Overground trains towards Richmond get pretty busy after, but they empty out after a couple of stops and you shouldn't have to worry about getting a seat. All in all, a really nice, pretty venue.

The Hackney Empire was built in 1901 as a music hall, and is a Grade II listed building. It is a beautiful venue and was once performed in by Charlie Chaplin and Stan Laurel before it was turned into a bingo hall during the 60's. In the 1980's the building was threatened with demolition and was rescued by a theatre group. It became a popular entertainment venue once again and the comedians such as Ben Elton, French & Saunders, Bill Bailey and Paul Merton have headlined here. There are regular performances at Hackney Empire, Christmas panto, music gigs, plays, musicals and stand up comedy. There are concessions for students and under 26 so its worth having a look in advance to get cheap tickets.

A beautiful theatre; they have done a fantastic job of restoring it. Hope that the cafe, incorporated in the corner of the building helps ensure its longevity.

Christmas pantomime at the Empire festive perfection.always a centrepiece of our celebration plans. A packed house, stunning restoration, friendly staff, great bar and some fantastic shows. So yes the seats are not the comfiest (beer helps) and the acoustics are not all thatbut this is somewhere to rejoice in a little piece of culture in Hackney

Great venue - seen both comedy and music here and both times the venue amplified the evening well. Staff are always polite and getting in and out well staggered unless you have to climb to the stalls in the heavens of course - take your tramping boots! Good selection of reasonably priced drinks and service is prompt. Easy access to bathrooms - which are not the Ritz but they do the job. The place has great warm local feel.

Beautiful, beautiful venue. Unfortunately I've never seen anything that I really enjoyed here. I've seen lots of different things - theatre, music, comedy, panto, cabaret - and while none of it has been bad, it hasn't been very good either. Its a shame because i really want to like the Empire. Maybe I'm just not very good at picking the shows!

Saw Russel Brand here the other weekend - really great venue. I'd say it beats the Brixton Academy! Full of the 'cool kids' and the bar at the side of the Empire is well worth a visit, even if you are not going to see a show.

I visited the Hackney Empire a couple of months ago and I have to say I was very unimpressed by the experience. The building is special and the décor is impressive. It also has an interesting history it was formerly a Victorian Music Hall. However I was sitting on the first balcony and the acoustics were terrible. There was a bar behind where I was sitting, where people were drinking and chatting throughout the performance. This would not have been a problem, expect that the noise that they were making seemed to be amplified where I was sitting. The seats were also hard and uncomfortable. In an effort to be able to see and hear better we decided to move to different seats in the interval, However the acoustics there were even worse you couldn't hear anything of the music on the stage so we moved back to our old seats. Definitely not recommended.

Have only been here once but it is such a lovely old theatre, would love to go again. The auditorium itself is beautiful, we sat up on the side but the view was fine, not restricted at all. The staff were all really friendly, which is not always the case in these places, and very helpful. There are a couple of bars from which you can bring your drink into the auditorium - always a bonus. And the toilets were modern and clean. Beware of parking in the area. We just stopped by the town hall to jump out and pick up the parking permit and ended up with a cctv issued ticket - even though I was waiting in the driver seat all along and we were in a layby!

Hackney gets a lot of stick for being one of London's most terrible boroughs- the media love too paint a picture of a disgusting inner city with nothing going for it. Having grown up in Hackney I know this is not true- Hackney is home to a large population of creatives and the bars in Shoreditch are definately equal to the trendy West London bara and restaurants. Yes there is crime but what area in London is totally void of any criminal activity. For the record I have never been attacked while I was living in Hackney. Anyway I digress, the Hackney Empire is another example of what's great about Hackney. Built in 1901 many greats such as Charlie Chaplin and Stan Laurel all appeared on the Hackney Empire stage. These days there is a diverese range of events including Christmas pantomine, comedy shows, Royal Shakespeare Company's Othello and even The Music Hall of Fame award ceremonies which have been attended by the likes of Gwyneth Palthrow and Kate Moss.

yes, firstly, parking is a major nasty.You can get a permit when you book a ticket. The staff never offer it. Just ask. Otherwise Tesco opposite allows 90 minutes. Crazy. I have actually watched something for 80 mins and ran out to save a tow.The Empire is fabulous. Why? because it responds to the local community in the main and if we thought opera was high brow and elite, not so at Hackney Empire where it is cheap and fantastic. Just gotta be on the ball to get the good tickets.Many buses pass the door so all manner of age groups can and do get there.comparing, Stratford THEATRE rOYAL has a much more diverse audience and the Lyric Theatre miles away and awkward tube journey shows more experimental and amateurish stuff.Much of the Hackney stuff I wouldn't bother with but others do. There are buffs who have time and money to experience it all and Hackney knows that. Great community vibe going on esp as there are studios upstairs for exhibitions and other plays poetry etc and then the Marie lloyd Bar where a lot of the great unwashed go to share their vibes. Hey it is all there for us and the clever management capitalise on that.The auditorium child staff are well-trained and actually smile.Love it