Hackney Empire, Grade II* listed theatre in Hackney Central, England
Hackney Empire is a theatre building in Hackney Central, a district in east London, with a richly decorated facade in red brick and terracotta. The three-story entrance hall leads to a spacious auditorium with four tiers, and the interior features gilded stucco ornaments, marble columns, and historical wall paintings.
The architect Frank Matcham designed the building in 1901 for variety performances and music hall, and it opened during a time when this form of entertainment was at the height of its popularity in London. After the Second World War, its use changed several times: first it served as a television studio, later as a bingo hall, before it was restored in the 1980s and reopened as a theatre.
The venue takes its name from the Greek muse of comedy, whose statue crowns the roof and points to the long tradition of variety and entertainment at this site. The building now serves as a stage for performances that shape the cultural life of the eastern district and draw a broad local audience.
The auditorium holds more than 1200 visitors and offers accessible entrances as well as wheelchair-friendly areas on several levels. The nearest train stations and bus stops are within a few minutes' walk, making evening performances easy to reach.
The band The Rolling Stones held a press conference here in September 2023 to present their new album, briefly giving the venue international attention. This event joined a long line of appearances by well-known artists who have performed on this stage over the decades.
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