hackney empire – Hackney Citizen

‘Always a delight’: Mayor hails borough’s young talent as Music Service Gala returns after two-year break

By Hackney Citizen | Friday 17 February 2023 at 19:21

Borough leader handed out awards and grants to pupils and schools in a number of categories

La bohème, English Touring Opera, Hackney Empire, stage review: ‘Puccini is still master of the miserable’

By Gabriel Wilding | Thursday 10 March 2022 at 18:45

Despite a few ‘odd creative choices’, the classic opera’s ghoulish nature remains

Arts venues across Hackney announce new wave of discounts and freebies as part of Town Hall’s culture recovery effort

By Hackney Citizen | Thursday 3 February 2022 at 15:01

Cut-price tickets for young people and low-income families are among the latest offers

Stars pay tribute to Hackney Empire as historic theatre celebrates 120th anniversary

By Lizzie McAllister | Friday 3 December 2021 at 11:30

Venue to launch line-up for landmark year with cake-cutting ceremony led by Clive Rowe

Drag Race star Bimini Bon Boulash launches debut book at the Hackney Empire

By Lizzie McAllister | Monday 18 October 2021 at 11:18

Bimini shot to fame during the second series of the UK version of the hit show

Local venues welcome ‘vital’ grants from government’s Culture Recovery Fund

By Hackney Citizen | Wednesday 14 October 2020 at 08:04

Arcola Theatre, Hackney Empire and Vortex Jazz Club among those to receive cash in first round of awards

Alarm raised over local economy as businesses face ‘hard choices’

By Ed Sheridan, Local Democracy Reporter | Wednesday 10 June 2020 at 20:35

Hackney Empire, Boulevard Events and Here East offer an insight into the challenges brought on by coronavirus

Local institutions win big in latest Arts Council funding giveaway

By Hackney Citizen | Thursday 21 November 2019 at 12:48

Hackney Empire and the Geffrye Museum two of 12 organisations in London to be awarded grants

The Lovely Bones, Hackney Empire, stage review: ‘Slick look at life in all its shades’

By Gabriel Wilding | Friday 1 November 2019 at 13:33

Bryony Lavery’s adaptation of the bestselling novel shows ‘once again that theatre has a magic like nothing else’

Hackney Empire boosts youth engagement by 12 per cent in a year

By Hackney Citizen | Monday 30 September 2019 at 14:12

Four thousand youngsters got involved in the theatre’s Creative Futures scheme in 2019, and its annual talent show is set to go global

Alter Ego 2019: Singer-songwriter Angelina ‘ecstatic’ after winning top talent contest

By Hackney Citizen | Tuesday 14 May 2019 at 12:35

The 18-year-old beat eight other finalists at the event, which also saw the launch of the council’s Discover Young Hackney Festival

Anthropocene, Hackney Empire, theatre preview: ‘A modern opera worthy of consideration’

By Peter John | Thursday 3 January 2019 at 12:32

The Scottish Opera and Royal Opera House team up for this ‘genuine thriller’ about an Arctic expedition which comes unstuck

Hackney Empire announces new artistic director in leadership shake-up

By Andrew Barnes | Friday 16 March 2018 at 15:49

Shout from the rooftops: Hackney Empire Artistic Director Yamin Choudury. Photograph: Katherine Leedale

Longtime member of the creative team Yamin Choudury replaces panto pioneer Susie McKenna, who stepped down at the start of 2017

Hamlet, Hackney Empire, review: RSC’s African restaging brings the energy of youth to the tragedy

By Hackney Citizen | Tuesday 13 March 2018 at 17:46

'Like an atom bomb': Paapa Essiedu brings youthful energy to Hamlet. Photograph: Manuel Harlan (c) RSC

The Royal Shakespeare Company come to Hackney with a West African-influenced production that features their first use of a black actor in the title role

‘They believe because we believe’: an interview with the stars of the Empire’s panto Cinderella

By Hackney Citizen | Friday 1 December 2017 at 16:37

Kat B (left) and Aisha Jawando (middle) in Cinderella, which is at Hackney Empire until 31 December Photograph: Robert Workman

We talk to Aisha Jawando and Kat B, playing Cinderella and an Ugly Sister respectively, about what panto is all about

‘We’ve got the homeless of Hackney sick of sourdough!’: Volunteer project dishes up weekly meals for the needy

By Hackney Citizen | Wednesday 8 November 2017 at 11:40

Refugee all stars: volunteers range from all walks of Hackney life

A spin-off from a project born in the Calais Jungle, Refugee Community Kitchen sets up shop every Thursday outside Hackney Central Library

INTERVIEW: ‘I’m sure The Queen would love to see a bit of it’: Jonny Woo previews his Unroyal Variety show

By Hackney Citizen | Thursday 28 September 2017 at 12:21

'What’s alternative to the mainstream now? It’s the queer underground.' Scenes from last year's Unroyal Variety. Photograph: Angus Stewart

The legendary drag performer, comedian, and owner of gay Haggerston super-pub The Glory gives the Citizen a sneak peek at his upcoming ensemble spectacular at the Empire

Born to boogie – a look at Marc Bolan’s early life in Hackney

By Hackney Citizen | Friday 15 September 2017 at 08:27

The three ages of Bolan: the T-Rex frontman, pictured in his Hackney youth, adolescence, and his days of megastardom, on stage for ABC’s In Concert in 1973

Did you know that the T-Rex frontman was from the borough? Learn more about the early days of the then-Mark Feld, as he set out on his all-too-short journey to change rock history

Hackney Empire’s work experience week sees teenage theatrical talents learn ‘how to be a producer’

By Hackney Citizen | Friday 21 July 2017 at 00:17

Empire state of mind: the twelve prospective producers. Photographs: Andrew Barnes

Children aged 14 to 16 shadowed Empire staff and pitched hypothetical productions as part of the theatre’s drive to engage East London’s youth

Teenage poet takes first prize in hard-fought Hackney talent show

By Hackney Citizen | Wednesday 24 May 2017 at 12:15

Chifa K wins Alter Ego 2017 to mark start of borough’s long-running youth arts festival