Hackney Empire
HireHackney Empire
Hugely versatile, our grand and atmospheric auditorium welcomes events including live music performances, filmed comedy specials, an annual iconic pantomime, and so much more. What could you do with the space... ? LET'S DREAM BIG!
![A photo of Hackney Empire from the back of the Stalls, showing the backs of the chairs, the auditorium and the whole stage.](https://hackney-empire.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/Building-photos/Hackney-Empire-auditorium-frank-matcham-theatre-history.jpg?w=300&h=195&q=100&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1721230376&s=ba4121da705848e3133683a24f0e898a)
THE FACTS:
Capacity: 1268 (seated), 1631 (standing)
Dimensions:
Stage: 214 metres squared (18m x 11.7m)
Height: 20m (to underside of grid)
Proscenium: 10.3m x 8.75m
Auditorium: 24m x 23m x 17m
Types of events: comedy, music, theatre, pantomime, cabaret, musicals, opera, book launches & talks, spoken word, dance, family shows, community events, podcasts, conferences, film & photoshoots.
Image gallery
You'll be in good company!
![A photo taken from the higher levels of Hackney Empire showing Lankum playing on stage and a sold out audience watching them. There is a red light shining on the stage and onto the audience.](https://hackney-empire.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/Audience-photos/Lankum-Hackney-Empire-False-Lankum.jpg?w=600&h=358&q=100&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1721038913&s=771347b877f898ba5313e19f4878233c)
![A photo taken from the back of the Stalls in Hackney Empire, showing an audience on their feet applauding Mother Goose in 2022.](https://hackney-empire.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/Audience-photos/hackney-empire-pantomime-2022-audience-reaction.jpg?w=600&h=358&q=100&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1721231089&s=1dde04ed0de9914a92c4198c88f1dca9)
![A photo of Rudimental performing at Hackney Empire surrounded by paper confetti](https://hackney-empire.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/Show-images/Past/Rudimental-2.jpg?w=600&h=358&q=100&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1721038940&s=fa80397fee5b2855730b277628ee3dd8)
![A photo taken from the side of the Dress Circle showing a full audience watching Mac DeMarco performing on stage.](https://hackney-empire.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/Audience-photos/hackney-empire-music-gig-mac-demarco-audience-east-london.jpg?w=600&h=358&q=100&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1721231079&s=5811730fa2de53cf934c53e92a61d715)
![A photo taken from the back of the Dress Circle in Hackney Empire showing a full audience watching all of the people involved in the UK Americana Award 2023 stood together on stage.](https://hackney-empire.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/Show-images/Past/The-uk-Americana-Awards-2023.jpg?w=600&h=358&q=100&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1721038940&s=922d52682fc56a6cb498bedc843e5027)
![A photo taken from the back of Hackney Empire's stage showing a woman talking to a crowd as they hold up green signs that say TRUE](https://hackney-empire.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/Show-images/Past/Largest-Mental-Health-Lesson-2017.jpg?w=600&h=358&q=100&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1721038937&s=5f7d41977a9e1ffebc7e932768bb43e0)
![A photo of a standing audience for Cate Le Bon in 2022, taking from the side of the auditorium, showing Cate on stage and the audience watching.](https://hackney-empire.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/Audience-photos/Cate-Le-Bon-Hackney-Empire-Seats-Out-Music-Gig.jpg?w=600&h=358&q=100&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1721231067&s=8f2d55f1d5a93a425e5e5a4863177237)
![A photo of young people lined up along the front of the stage at the end of Only Joy Aloud, with Kenrick 'H20' Sandy and Yamin Choudury in the centre.](https://hackney-empire.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/Young-people/2022/IMG_6802d.jpg?w=600&h=358&q=100&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1721231048&s=80c1e305814bb2b26a79c5290ff912c5)
![A photo taken from the very back of the stage, showing the whole stage space and the auditorium behind it.](https://hackney-empire.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/Building-photos/Hackney-Empire-stage-theatre-view-of-audience.jpg?w=600&h=358&q=100&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1721227955&s=980d0fbc791e214409fd4898c04ca4ee)
![A photo taken from the side of the Dress Circle showing Chris Ramsey on stage performing and a full crowd watching.](https://hackney-empire.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/Audience-photos/Hackney-Empire-Chris-Ramsey-comedian.jpg?w=600&h=358&q=100&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1721231038&s=c679cb4188f1dbafcffbb43e527e75f3)
![A photo of English Touring Opera's Ottone in performance. A man is sat on stage in a chair whilst a woman with a large headdress faces away from him.](https://hackney-empire.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/Show-images/Past/Artboard-6ETO_OTTONE.jpg?w=600&h=358&q=100&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1721038939&s=2811571fe67dd86e69f29c405d796dd7)
![A photo of the Hackney Empire audience showing young people enjoying the act on stage with their camera lights on and held in the air.](https://hackney-empire.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/Audience-photos/Alter-Ego-talent-competition-hackney-audience.jpg?w=600&h=358&q=100&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1721231028&s=cda4468831c1ba71664b35194ac97045)
![A photo of Nish Kumar on stage during Live at the Empire. Nish is wearing all black and the words LIVE AT THE EMPIRE are displayed on the wall behind him.](https://hackney-empire.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/Show-images/Past/20230421-LIVE_AT_THE_EMPIRE-0943.jpg?w=600&h=358&q=100&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1721231020&s=796f499a59d70a1c57980d3c59ed500b)
![A photo taken from the Dress Circle showing the Hackney Empire stage and the Stalls with all of the seats taken out](https://hackney-empire.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/Building-photos/hackney-empire-seats-out-empty-auditorium-music-gig.jpg?w=600&h=358&q=100&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1721231012&s=8bd7015192f09b9bfe48337ced5261f5)
![A photo of Ghetts on stage at Hackney Empire, wearing a jacket and leaning to the left, holding a microphone in his right hand.](https://hackney-empire.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/Show-images/Past/IMG_8525F.jpg?w=600&h=358&q=100&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1721038939&s=5eba69ab79f1e2b0a4bee5f322ae474c)
![A photo of Josie Lawrence and Lee Simpson sat down together on stage during An Improbable Musical. Josie is smiling and Lee looks angry.](https://hackney-empire.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/Show-images/Past/20221022_ANIMPROBABLEMUSICAL_Improbable_HackneyEmpire_ProductionPhotography_London_%C2%A9JaneHobson_JHO-2-10.jpg?w=600&h=358&q=100&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1721231003&s=971b58a17ddefdce44d5ddaa201415f5)
![A full audience waving their arms back and forth in time with Ruth Lynch who is on stage as the Spirit of the Ring in Aladdin.](https://hackney-empire.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/Audience-photos/audiences-reacting-to-pantomime-hackney-empire.jpg?w=600&h=358&q=100&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1721230993&s=a3a745d73cada1126b9ed030c9d9a9b8)
"Hackney Empire is my favourite theatre to perform at in London. It feels like you’re allowed to be a part of history (and frequently sully it by saying unacceptable things)"
Ed Gamble
"We have made Hackney Empire the home of the UK Americana Awards since 2018 and it’s been a wonderful collaborative experience. Our overseas visitors are in total awe of the venue's beauty and history. The team front and back of house have always been excellent to work with and we keep coming back year on year"
Stevie Smith, CEO The AMA-UK
"It was an absolute pleasure and dream come true to perform my first London gig of my first national tour at the iconic Hackney Empire. As I was born and live in Hackney for a part of my childhood I remember Hackney Empire being the hub of black entertainment. The vibe in the theatre is truly remarkable, the original features still allows the echo of, laughter, music and a night of joy to float around the theatre. It’s so beautiful to perform in a place that hold so many great memories and feel a sense of familiarity because it’s been the hub of arts and culture for me and many others. I look forward to performing there again soon and being a part of the legacy"
Judi Love
"I played Hackney Empire for the first time this year unbelievably and I had to ask myself why did it take me so long? It’s such a special welcoming space that feels like a hug when you walk on the stage. Simply magical"
Alan Carr