Comedy and Variety
No Fit State Circus
‘Cirque Du Soleil without the Disney and the disinfectant - The Guardian
The award winning, critically acclaimed No Fit State Circus is the UK's leading contemporary circus company. The Paradise Gardens shows are part of their May 23rd-31st residency at Victoria Park.
Sensazione
Sensazione is a theatrical, interactive street art spectacular powered by you...the audience !...a colourful carnival where show people bombard you with tales of wonder and extraordinary requests.
Revenge of a Black Woman
25 April 2008 - 26 April 2008 (Main House)
The renowned Blue Mountain Theatre company returns to the Hackney Empire with a new production...Revenge of A Black Woman.
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.
The 291 Show
6 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.
Gina Yashere
7 June 2008 - 8 June 2008
Gina Yashere returns to the Hackney Empire for the last night of her sell out UK tour before she moves to Los Angeles for five years.
An Evening with Colin Fry
11 June 2008 (Main House)
Widely regarded as one of the world's finest spiritualist mediums, he has spent many years sharing his spiritual philosophy with audiences around the world.
Frankie Boyle
21 June 2008 - 22 June 2008
After two hugely successful Edinburgh Festival runs, a sell-out UK tour and a string of TV appearances including every episode of BBC2's ‘Mock the Week', comedy's hottest property, Frankie Boyle, performs all the best bits for the recording of his first live stand up DVD.
Empire Strikes Black 5
5 July 2008
The Empire Strikes Black 5 brings you an all star line up from stage, television, music and film including Abrantee, Robbie Gee, Kojo, Eddie Nestor and many more.
Mr Titan Bodybuilding Spectacular
6 July 2008 (Main House)
The Mr. Titan BodyBuilding Specacular returns to the Hackney Empire
Best of New Act of the Year
(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 during the Spice Festival, you can see the cream of the crop.
Strictly Variety
14 July 2008
A traditional East End Variety Night performed by the children, parents and ex-pupils of Lauriston Primary School.
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, priot to their runs at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Dan Atkinson and Steve Williams
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.
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.
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.
Emergence-See
22 July 2008 (Main House)
An explosive new play where rhythm, rhyme and rememberance rise. This solo play ran Off-Broadway to a sold-out, extended run at The Public - New York Magazine awarded him a Culture Award for the Best Theatrical Production and the Scotsman awarded him a Fringe first at Edinburgh last year!
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.
Dis Shoodbe on TV
29 August 2008 - 31 August 2008 (Main House)
A brand new comedy sketch show featuring some of the best comedic and acting talent around. The cast will feature Richard Blackwood, Wayne Rollins, Glenda Jaxson and Baba Tumbe.