East London Theatre Archive
THEATRE buffs can learn more about Hackney Empire’s fascinating past thanks to an online database.
More than 15,000 rare playbills, photographs, posters and press cuttings charting East London’s theatre history back to 1827 are free to access online for the first time as part of a University of East London project. Material includes posters from events staged by political theatre company Cartoon Archetypical Slogan Theatre (CAST) at the Empire, documenting early gigs from the likes of Paul Merton, Julian Clary, Jo Brand and Steve Coogan.
Roland Muldoon, co-founder of CAST, said: “Political theatre goes out of date very quickly and people wanted to throw it out. I couldn’t do that so in the end I kept all the memorabilia and posters under my bed. Having it all brought back to life is wonderful.”
The JISC-funded East London Theatre Archive (ELTA) showcases genres that flourished in the East End, including music hall, burlesque and alternative comedy. Other venues featured include Half Moon Young People’s Theatre, Hoxton Hall, Theatre Royal Stratford East and Wilton’s Music Hall.
Griff Rhys Jones, chairman of the Empire’s Fundraising Appeal, said: “The many supporters who rallied to save the Hackney Empire helped to highlight the overwhelming importance of theatre as an accessible medium for culture and entertainment that is open to all. With JISC’s funding and the University of East London’s help, the East London Theatre Archive will allow easy access to the vibrant and exciting world of theatre so its colourful past can live on.”
Andrew McDonald, ELTA project director, added: “Despite often being in the shadow of its West End counterpart, East End theatre has made many influential contributions to the world of performing arts which are documented through the archive’s content.”
Visit www.elta-project.org for more details.