La Di Dada
5 July 2008 - 6 July 2008 (HE Studio)
Tiptoe along the trail of light with La-Di-DaDa! Stories of power, superheroes, wands and witches mingle with the children's own stories, played out in a magical 360 degree shadow play.
Full Schedule
Mr Titan Bodybuilding Spectacular
6 July 2008 (Main House)
The Mr. Titan BodyBuilding Specacular returns to the Hackney Empire
I Love Dance
7 July 2008 (Main House)
Discover what moves Hackney! See the best choreographers and performers Hackney has to offer in this explosive night of dance as part of Big Dance 08. Featuring abstract street dance company Avant Garde and C-12 Dance Theatre alongside a host of others.
If you love dance - you'll love this!
UK Bollywood Dance Championships 2008
8 July 2008 (Main House)
Diva Entertainments & Honey Kalaria present UK Bollywood Dance Championships 2008, allowing Bollywood dancers from the UK to compete for the prestigious overall title.
Spice Slam
1 July 2008 - 22 July 2008 (Marie Lloyd Bar)
Thirty plucky poets compete for the chance to grace the Hackney Empire's main stage supporting top US slam poet Daniel Beaty, a slot in the final of the Hackney Empire's legendary '291' talent show on Friday 25th July, and £100 cash!
Hackney Youth Theatre Festival
8 July 2008 (HE Studio)
A vibrant evening of youth theatre performances showcasing Hackney's most talented youth theatre companies. This is a rare opportunity to catch the best of Hackney's youth theatre talent on one pulsating bill.
Steven Berkoff
9 July 2008 - 10 July 2008 (Main House)
Steven Berkoff returns to the Hackney Empire for two nights only for a special run of two of his one man shows.
The 291 Show
20 June 2008 - 18 July 2008 (Main House)
It's back for the summer!
Dibbi and Delroy present the 2008 291 shows leading up to the exciting finals during the Hackney Empire's Spice Festival.
Take It to the Bridge
12 July 2008 (Main House)
Hackney Empire's Participation and Learning Department is working in partnership with the Bridge Academy. Hackney Empire Artists and Bridge Academy teachers and year 7 pupils will create an origninal piece of theatre about the East End.
Best of New Act of the Year
12 July 2008 (Main House)
The New Act of The Year is one of the strongest and most competitive comic talent contests in the UK. Now, for one night only during the Spice Festival, you can see the cream of the crop!
One Night of Queen
13 July 2008 (Main House)
Join One Night of Queen for a night of non-stop hits. A stunning live two hour concert recreating and celebrating the music of Queen.
Strictly Variety
14 July 2008
A traditional East End Variety Night performed by the children, parents and ex-pupils of Lauriston Primary School.
"One of the most inspiring demonstrations of children's talents. It was an evening of pure joy for the audience and all the performers." Paul Jamieson (school governor)
Steve Williams and Rob Deering
14 July 2008
Leading acts from the comedy circuit, Steve Williams and Rob Deering, perform a double header of their solo shows, prior to their runs at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Alex Horne and Steve Hall
15 July 2008 (HE Studio)
The very first of our one night Edinburgh preview shows. Alex Horne and Steve Hall, two leading acts from the London comedy circuit perform a double header of their solo shows, prior to their runs at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Voices in Harmony
16 July 2008 (Main House)
A celebration of the human voice and all things verbal! Featuring Crisis, Richard Tyrone Jones and Kat Francois amongst others. Also featuring the musical talents of The Magnets, acapella groups and showcases from local talent.
Simon Brodkin and Dan Atkinson
16 July 2008 (HE Studio)
The second of our Edinburgh Preview shows. Leading acts from the London comedy circuit perform a double header of their solo shows, prior to their runs at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
There Ain't No Black in the Union Jack, Main House show
17 July 2008 (Main House)
Named after the book by Paul Gilroy, There Ain't No Black in the Union Jack, is a season of new theatre, performance, music, film, visual art, debate and workshops exploring themes relating to flags, anthems, identity, home, place, displacement, community, cultural diversity, race, family, and what it means to be British today.
The Surgery
18 July 2008
Showcasing the freshest new Hip Hop Theatre performance, hosted by Jonzi D. A regular showcase of new Hip Hop Theatre work, The Surgery is a unique platform for emerging and established artists to present new Hip Hop theatre work. The unique aspect of the evening is after each piece, the audience has a chance feedback directly to the artists about what they've just seen.
Chuck Berry Live at the Hackney Empire
19 July 2008 - 20 July 2008 (Main House)
The Hackney Empire is proud to present a true legend to headline this summer's Spice Festival in his only London shows. Chuck Berry is one of the earliest rock and roll greats, an inspiration to all that followed.
Claytime
21 July 2008 - 22 July 2008 (HE Studio)
Claytime, a play with clay, where the audience are invited to participate.Indefinitearticles invite you to a place where the earth's natural material meets with children's imaginations: a world of fabulous forms, amazing animals and morphing monsters.
Hackney Empire Music Hall
21 July 2008 (Main House)
Let the Hackney Empire's very own Music Hall company take you on a stroll down memory lane, through song, dance and laughter as the Hackney Empire returns to its entertainment roots.
Isy Suttie and Russell Kane
21 July 2008 (HE Studio)
Russell Kane and Isy Suttie provide a fantastic night of comedy in the third of our Edinburgh preview shows. Stylish newcomer, Isy Suttie and Russell Kane, nominated for best newcomer in the if.comeddie awards will both perform their solo shows prior to their Edinburgh Fringe runs.
Raw Feat - Outspoken Dance
23 July 2008 (Main House)
Raw Feat presents Outspoken Dance. Showcasing London's most dynmaic dancers, poets and artists, creating a fusion of contemporary dance and hip-hop theatre with spoken word collaborations.
Richard Herring and Danielle Ward
23 July 2008 (HE Studio)
The final instalment of our Edinburgh previews with Richard Herring and Danielle Ward. Your last chance to see two leading acts perform their solo shows prior to their runs at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Callas
25 July 2008 (HE Studio)
The remarkable life and career of opera singer Maria Callas is laid bare in Jean-Yves Picqis tragic yet uplifing play based on authentic interviews given between 1957-1970.
Shakespeare in Shoreditch
26 July 2008 (HE Studio)
1587. A young glover, William Shakespeare, arrives in Shoreditch seeking his fortune on Curtain road. In this dangerous, disreputable part of town, magic and history begin to be made, as the English theatre is born. Includes extracts from his plays and entertaining narrative. A must for theatre and literature lovers.
Seven Times Me by Kat Francois
26 July 2008 (HE Studio)
A moving and humourous journey through childhood, relationships and time, that captures the beautiful and brutal realities of inner city life, in a compelling fusion of theatre, performance poetry and dance.
Beggar & Co, the Funk Jazz Collective and the Grand Union All Stars
26 July 2008 (Main House)
Never before has so much UK Jazz and funk talent been amassed on our stage. Grand Union Orchestra's All Stars kick off this double bill, with a global line up playing exuberant African and Latin infused jazz, followed by a blisteringly big band groove of Britfunk heroes Beggar and Co and the Funk Jazz Collective.
Forty
2 August 2008 - 17 August 2008 (Main House)
Forty, written by Angie Le Mar. After the huge sell out success of the hit play The Brothers, and continued success of Do you know where your Daughter is?, Angie Le Mar steps onto the stage to head the strong cast of her next production.
Gone Too Far!
19 August 2008 - 23 August 2008 (Main House)
The Royal Court Theatre and ATC present the Olivier Award winning production of Gone Too Far!, Bola Agbaje's perceptive play about identity, history and culture depicts a world where respect is always demanded, but rarely freely given.
Winner of a Laurence Olivier Award 2008
Dis Shoodbe on TV
30 August 2008 - 31 August 2008 (Main House)
A brand new comedy sketch show by Richard Nyeila, destined for a TV screen near you! Premiering at the empire and featuring some of the best comedic and acting talent around, including Richard Blackwood, Wayne Rollins, Glenda Jaxson, Annette Fagon and Babatunde.
Guava Jelly
6 September 2008 - 7 September 2008 (Main House)
BJ Harmony & Harmony Productions present Guava Jelly. A bittersweet comedy starring Oliver Samuels, Audrey Reid and Volier Maffe Johnson.
The Family
9 September 2008 - 27 September 2008 (Main House)
"Exhilarating stuff.....You should seek out this show, and bring the kids along" Edinburgh Guide
Legendary St Petersburg clown company Licedei return to the Hackney Empire with their critically acclaimed production The Family.
A Night with Kojo
28 September 2008 (Main House)
Join Kojo - the fresh prince of Hackney as he returns to the Hackney Empire for his last show before moving to New York - it's going to be a special night of entertainment!
Featuring interviews, sketches and performances from some of Kojo's closest celebrity friends.
A Night with Kojo is not to be missed!
ETO Carmen & Rusalka
9 October 2008 - 11 October 2008 (Main House)
ENGLISH TOURING OPERA returns to the Hackney Empire with Dvorak's Rusalka - the beloved tale of the little princess told through sweeping orchestrations and glorious music including the soaring Hymn to the Moon. Soprano DONNA BATEMAN (who sang the title role in ETO's Susannah) takes the lead. La tragedie de Carmen is a groundbreaking unique adaptation of Bizet's great opera by the visionary director PETER BROOK.
An Evening of mediumship with Tony Stockwell
12 October 2008
Acclaimed psychic Tony Stockwell returns to the Hackney Empire for an evening of mediumship - even the great cynics will be amazed by Tony Stockwell's predictions and unexplained insights to "the other side."
Sing-A-Longa-Abba
14 October 2008 (Main House)
The concert event Abba fans have been waiting for...The Swedish super-group's greatest hits performed live with on-screen lyrics so everyone can join in!
Puccini's La Boheme
26 October 2008 (Main House)
Ellen Kent & Amphitheatre Productions present a spectacular new autumn tour, bringing a touch of Arena Di Verona to the Hackney Empire following the premiere performance in Leeds Castle, Kent.
The Alessi Brothers Live!
30 October 2008 (Main House)
The Hackney Empire is proud to announce The Alessi Brothers Live! in their first UK date in decades! The Alessi Brothers first won the world over with their music with the introduction of "Oh Lori" in 1977 and have since sold over 8 million records!
Shaolin Wheel of Life
4 November 2008 - 22 November 2008 (Main House)
Shaolin, Wheel of Life is the critically acclaimed live Kung-fu extravaganza that has thrilled and astonished audiences all over the world.
Mother Goose - Hackney Empire's Holiday Panto 2008
29 November 2008 - 10 January 2009 (Main House)
This year's its...Mother Goose NOW BOOKING. The phenomenally successful Hackney Empire pantomime returns for 2008's festive season.
Jimmy Carr Joke Technician
9 December 2008 (Main House)
After a sell out show in 2007 Jimmy Carr returns with Joke Technician. This show is exactly the same as last year except every single word. It's rude, crude and offensive but those aren't the only reasons you'll enjoy it.
Othello
9 February 2009 - 14 February 2009 (Main House)
The RSC returns after its sell-out run of Noughts & Crosses with Othello.