📢 JUST ANNOUNCED: We're rolling out four brand-new shows coming your way! Join us for engaging talks with award-winning Lena Dunham and entrepreneur Emma Grede, along with moving music from Bismil and Streetwise Opera! See what's on: www.hackneyempire.co.uk/whats-on

The line-up just keeps getting better as we gear up for ALTER EGO 2026 this Friday! 🔥 Hosted by Steph the show will feature special guest performances from Skarz, Aicha Thérése, Boy Blue, and Alter Ego 2025 winner Jaye, plus more to be announced. www.hackneyempire.co.uk/events/alter-ego-2026

🚨The Alter Ego 2026 line up just got even better as we've added poet Aicha Thérése to this years' show! 🔥 Poet, singer-songwriter, and published author Aicha Thérése delivers words that cut deep, heal softly, and speak to the moment. Fri 13 Feb, www.hackneyempire.co.uk/events/alter-ego-2026

📢 We’ve just announced two brand-new shows that will have you laughing out of your seats, featuring comedy from Ashley Gavin and Taskmaster star Fatiha El-Ghorri. See everything that's on: www.hackneyempire.co.uk/whats-on

📢 We’ve just announced five brand-new shows! From uplifting live music with iconic performers like Jocelyn Brown and London City Voices, to comedy from Nish Kumar, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. See everything that's on: www.hackneyempire.co.uk/whats-on

Oh yes he is! Clive Rowe is back for the whimsical tale of Jack and the Beanstalk for our pantomime this year! Climb right back into a world of magic and mischief🌱 ⭐ Directed by and starring Olivier Award-winner Clive Rowe 🎟 Tickets from £10, public booking opens on Fri 30 Jan 10am

It’s been almost a month since the cast of Cinderella took their final bows, but we’re also giving a huge round of applause to.. ⭐️Over 45,000 audience members ⭐️Over 10,000 school children ⭐️1000 NHS staff and key workers Thank you for making our panto even more magical every year ✨

East London’s biggest talent showcase Alter Ego is BACK! Hosted by Steph, with special guest performances from Skarz, Boy Blue, and Alter Ego 2025 winner Jaye. Experience the best of London’s talent and YOU choose the ALTER EGO 2026 winner. Fri 13 Feb, www.hackneyempire.co.uk/events/alter-ego-2026

Get ready for BBC Radio 1Xtra’s Comedy Gala full of laughter and celebration of household names and new voices on the black comedy circuit!

We're throwing it back to when Beverly and Elizabeth Glenn-Copeland graced our stage back in October The duo are multi-disciplinary artists who have collaborated since they met as friends in '92 and married each other in 2009! Together, they opened a theatre school dedicated to community building❤️

The Witch of Konotop returns to Hackney this January, bringing rich Ukrainian folklore and mysticism with current socio-political themes in this unique play filled comedy and drama. Catch the witch on Wed 28 Jan right at Hackney Empire! www.hackneyempire.co.uk/events/the-w...

Last Sunday, Bridget Christie the creator and star of Channel 4’s hit sitcom, The Change was on Sunday Brunch! You can catch up here: www.channel4.com/programmes/s... And catch her brand new hilarious show at Hackney Empire, on Fri 20 Mar 🥔🍕 www.hackneyempire.co.uk/events/bridg...

🚨 Join the team! We're looking for a brilliant Community Heritage Researcher and a Cultural Heritage Researcher to join us. Apply by 10am on Mon 26 Jan and find out more via link below: www.hackneyempire.co.uk/jobs

📢 We’re kicking off the year with a little something for everyone to enjoy, with three brand-new shows!

There’s still time to apply to be our new Director of Operations and Commercial, responsible for all operational areas, including visitor experience, bars, catering relationships, stage door, IT and technical. Apply by Mon 12 Jan, www.hackneyempire.co.uk/jobs/director-of-operations-and-commercial

The festive fun is wrapping up but before we put the glitter away, we want to wish the whole Company and Creative team of Cinderella the best of luck on their final performance today! Thank you for bringing the magic of Pantomime to Hackney Empire! 💛 📸 Mark Senior

From rehearsal to the heart of the city 🎶 Earlier this month our Community Choir filled the iconic Leadenhall Building with their beautiful voices. Check out these powerful images that capture what happens when people come together through songs during the festive season. 📸 David Monteith-Hodge

2025, what a year you’ve been! 🌟 Over 150,000 people came to see a show at Hackney Empire 🌟 We worked with over 3,000 people as part of Creative Futures projects and gave away over 2,500 free tickets We can’t wait to see what 2026 has in store and we hope you’ll join us to find out!

Here are our Box Office Opening Hours for the festive period. These are a little different to normal but you can still book your tickets online at any time by heading to hackneyempire.co.uk.

Bridget Christie is back on tour and you can catch her live in Hackney with her brand-new show Jacket Potato Pizza in 2026. Here's a sneak peek at her hilarious quick wit humour! https://youtu.be/aUt_d-YYi6A Fri 20 Mar, www.hackneyempire.co.uk/events/bridget-christie-jacket-potato-pizza

6 days to go and still debating what to get someone?! Why not treat a loved one to the gift of Hackney Empire with a year’s Friends Membership, helping them to make memories that will last a lifetime. From £5 a month or £60 a year.💛 Give the gift today, https://www.hackneyempire.co.uk/support-us

From ball gowns to big smiles, it’s been lovely welcoming generations of families back into our auditorium to experience the magic of Cinderella this festive season. There’s still time for you & your family to enjoy this joyous celebration. www.hackneyempire.co.uk/events/cinderella 📸 Mark Senior

We’re looking for a new Director of Operations and Commercial to be responsible for all operational areas, including visitor experience, bars, catering relationships, stage door, cleaning, IT and Technical. Apply by Mon 12 Jan, www.hackneyempire.co.uk/jobs/director-of-operations-and-commercial

“I loved it so much… We recommend it to everybody!” 😍 The magic of pantomime is back in Hackney! Check out our new trailer to hear how much audiences are loving Cinderella! youtu.be/7bArDS6qid8 Book before 31 Dec, www.hackneyempire.co.uk/events/cinderella

📢 Christmas has come early as we’ve just announced 9 brand-new shows for everyone to enjoy in 2026! From breathtaking music from English Touring Opera to talks with David Olusoga, from I’m Grand Mam podcast to comedy with Henning Wehn, Ravi Gupta and more! Book Now, www.hackneyempire.co.uk/whats-on

Happy Christmas Jumper Day from the whole Cinderella Company! 🎄❄️ Join in the #ChristmasJumperDay magic by donating to Save the Children UK www.savethechildren.org.uk/

The reviews are in! Join us for a ‘Cinderella that truly stands out from the crowd this Christmas’ 🌟🌟🌟🌟 (WhatsOnStage) and enjoy ‘ A fun, wholly satisfying take on the classic fairytale’ 🌟🌟🌟🌟 (The Stage) Book before 31 Dec, www.hackneyempire.co.uk/events/cinderella 📸 Mark Senior

We’re nearly at the end of our Big Give #ChristmasChallenge! Thanks to your amazing support, we’ve reached nearly 6​​0% of our goal! There’s still time to have your donation doubled and make twice the impact before midday on 9 Dec. donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05WS0000063khBYAQ#ChristmasChallenge

Thanks to your generosity, we’re over 35% of the way towards our target as part of the Big Give #ChristmasChallenge, and every penny has been doubled to support our young people, community & building.💚 Make double the impact before 9 Dec. Donate now: donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05WS0000063khBYAQ#ChristmasChallenge

📢 JUST ANNOUNCED: James Acaster Get ready for a brand-new show, full of everything you love about James Acaster and more coming to Hackney in Apr 2026! 🎟️ Thu 2 April 2026, www.hackneyempire.co.uk/events/james-acaster

Wishing the best of luck to the whole Company and Creative Team of Cinderella ahead of Press Night this evening! 💜 There’s still time to catch this magical show, running until 31 Dec, https://www.hackneyempire.co.uk/events/cinderella

Feeling Festive Yet? 👀🥳 Cinderella is bringing the sparkle, and our Fairy Godmother insists you join us to experience the magic of a perfect panto in Hackney! Join us before 31 Dec and book your tickets, www.hackneyempire.co.uk/events/cinderella 📸 Mark Senior

There’s still plenty of time to catch Cinderella and experience a festive treat like no other! Tickets are selling out fast but use our availability tracker to see which shows have the best seats available. Running until Wed 31 Dec, www.hackneyempire.co.uk/events/cinderella

Recently we caught up with the Assistant Dramaturg & Concept Creator on our Artist Development Programme 2025, Joelthomas Coleallison, to talk about his journey through Hackney Empire’s Creative Futures programme. Check out what he had to say, https://youtu.be/8fEhbu5lSqk

📢 We’ve just announced eight brand-new shows coming up in 2026! See everything that's on, www.hackneyempire.co.uk/whats-on

Here’s your first look at Cinderella in action! 😍 The costumes are dazzling, the romance is building, and our Fairy Godmother has sprinkled her magic over our stage to bring you the perfect panto! Join us before 31 Dec, www.hackneyempire.co.uk/events/cinderella 📸 Mark Senior

This year we’re taking part in the Big Give #ChristmasChallenge! From Tue 2 – Tue 9 Dec every donation has the chance to be doubled, meaning double the impact for our young people, communities and building. Save the link for next week, donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05WS0000063khBYAQ

📢JUST ANNOUNCED: The Drifters The Drifters are back performing all their classic hits including Saturday Night At The Movies, You’re More Than A Number, Come On Over To My Place, Kissin’ In The Back Row and many more! Wed 14 Oct 2026, www.hackneyempire.co.uk/events/the-drifters

Rehearsals are underway and the magic is brewing as Cinderella is almost here! 🧚‍♂️ Take a peek into the rehearsal room as the Company have been working hard to bring this timeless fairytale to life this festive season. Opens Sat 22 Nov, www.hackneyempire.co.uk/events/cinderella 📸 Mark Senior

Grab the family and play Cinderella’s Pumpkin Dash game! All you have to do is help Cinderella get home from the Ball by avoiding the pumpkins before the clock strikes midnight! ⏰ Cinderella opens next Sat 22 Nov, tickets from £10, www.hackneyempire.co.uk/events/cinderella

We’re looking for casual Sales & Ticketing Assistants to join our Box Office team! If you’re passionate about great customer service and buzzing environments, we’d love to hear from you! Find out more and apply here: www.hackneyempire.co.uk/jobs/sales-and-ticketing-assistants

There’s still time to apply to be our new Head of Marketing and Communications! You’ll play a vital role in shaping the story of one of London’s most iconic theatres, developing audiences, and driving revenue. Apply by Mon 10 Nov, www.hackneyempire.co.uk/jobs/head-of-marketing-and-communications

Calling all runners and theatre lovers! 🏃 We’ve teamed up with Run For Charity to give you the chance to fundraise for your favourite charity theatre at some of London’s most exciting races, including the famous Hackney Half. Sign up here, www.hackneyempire.co.uk/support-us/fundraise-for-us

We asked the Fairy Godmother to grant us one wish and she whisked us straight to Hackney Central! 🧚 Keep a look out for us when you’re heading on your next magical journey, and get ready to see this fairytale to come to life. Cinderella opens Sat 22 Nov, www.hackneyempire.co.uk/events/cinderella

Carlos Acosta’s Nutcracker in Havana opens on our main stage tonight, and we’re turning up the Havana heat!🔥 Get ready to be blown away by this bold retelling of a festive family favourite, with a Cuban twist. www.hackneyempire.co.uk/events/nutcracker-in-havana#dates-and-times 📸 Tristram Kenton

There’s nothing like a night at Hackney Empire!💛 Whether you’re visiting us for comedy, live music, opera, inspiring community events, or our legendary pantomime, every show brings people together. Come and find your something at Hackney Empire, https://youtu.be/y_jRc8noILI

📢 We've just announced two brand-new shows coming up in 2026! See everything that's on, www.hackneyempire.co.uk/whats-on

Join us for a festive classic with a Cuban twist as this joyful reimagining bursts onto our stage. With brand-new choreography from Carlos Acosta CBE, performed by his company, Acosta Danza.💃 Tue 4 - Thu 6 Nov, www.hackneyempire.co.uk/events/nutcracker-in-havana 📸 by Johan Persson

#Review: New Frontiers Trailblazers @HackneyEmpire.bsky.social ★★★★★ "The multi-faceted storytelling woven through each piece both invigorates and celebrates the enduring power of live orchestral music." @CityLdnSinfonia #theatre #classicalmusic #dance everything-theatre.co.uk/2025/10/revi...

We’re just one week away from Carlos Acosta’s Nutcracker in Havana lighting up our main stage!🤩 Get ready for an exuberant Cuban take on Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece, where classical ballet meets Havana’s vibrant dance traditions. Tue 4 – Thu 6 Nov, www.hackneyempire.co.uk/events/nutcracker-in-havana