The Hackney Empire is a theatre on Mare Street in the London Borough of Hackney. Originally designed by Frank MatchamEnglish theatre architect and designer, responsible for the design and construction of more than ninety theatres and the redesign and refurbishment of a further eighty throughout the United Kingdom., it was built in 1901 as a variety theatre. Described by The Guardian as “the most beautiful theatre in London”,^[1] it is an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation.^[2] The architectural historian Nikolaus Pevsner has described the Hackney Empire as “among the best-surviving Edwardian suburban variety theatres”.^[3]

The Empire was one in the chain of music halls and variety theatres owned by Moss Empires, managed by the theatre impressario Oswald Stoll. It was designed by the architect Frank Matcham, and had a capacity of 3,000 seats. Pevsner has described the “splendid Hackney Empire, with its ornate terracotta exterior and sumptuous seventy-seven galleried auditorium” as a key example of Victorian and Edwardian architecture.^[4] Charlie Chaplin, Gracie Fields, Stanley Holloway, Stan Laurel, Marie Lloyd and Julie Andrews all performed there,^[5] and from the 1910s films were shown from what may have been one of the world’s first purpose-built projection boxes.^[6]

The theatre closed on 30 January 1956, and was bought by the British broadcaster ATV to use as television studios. Shows such as Take Your Pick and Oh, Boy! were broadcast live, and some episodes of Opportunity Knocks were also filmed at the theatre, as were some scenes from Emergency Ward 10. From 1963 to 1984 the theatre was used by the Mecca Organisation as a bingo hall; wrestling matches were also staged there during the 1960s.^[7]

The Empire was designated a Grade II* listed buildingStructure of particular architectural and/or historic interest deserving of special protection. in 1984, and MECCA were ordered to restore the exterior to its original state. The original, formal theatre seating arrangement was increasingly unsuitable for Mecca’s bingo-playing audience, but its listed building designation meant that it could not be altered. As a result, Mecca offered the theatre to the Cartoon Archetypical Slogan Theatre (CAST), a satirical touring theatre group headed by Claire and Roland Muldoon, as a permanent London base.^[8]

The Hackney Empire Preservation Trust, founded by the Muldoons and others in October 1986, eventually acquired the freehold from MECCA for £150,000, on condition that the building was returned to its former use. The Hackney Empire reopened as a 1,000-seat theatre in 1986, and went on to establish itself as one of the leading stand-up comedy venues in Britain.^[8]

In 2001 the Empire underwent a renovation and restoration project, which was completed in January 2004.^[8] It is now one of the largest theatres in London, with standing room for more than 1,600 people for music gigs and almost 1,300 seats.^[6]

The pop singer Leona Lewis became the patron of the Empire in 2021.^[9]