HAckney Empire to close, hopefully reopen later in 2010
#2
Posted: 9/24/09 at 11:06am
That is an absolute bloody shame - the Hackney Empire is a treasure of a theatre and losing it would be a great blow to the arts in London.
#3
Posted: 9/24/09 at 11:24am
what happened to the transfer of In The Heights that was supposed to open here? 
#4
Posted: 9/24/09 at 11:51am
It's terrible news but I hope that they sort their financial problems soon because it would be a shame to lose it. Given that it was saved a few years back, I'm sure more people who come out to support and prevent its closure.
Is it listed as it would be shame to lose it.
Is it listed as it would be shame to lose it.
#5
Posted: 9/24/09 at 12:10pm
The limited run of 'In The heights' was to have been its saviour but that project went cold a few months back and has now been pulled. The Empire couldn't find its side of the funding for the production.
This has been creeping up on them for a year or two now and it is a very sad day but too much work has gone into the Empire for it to completely close. Its not one of those run down theatres that fight to stay alive.
Hackney Empire has West End status facilities now.
The Stage report:
http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/newsstory.php/25656/exclusive-hackney-empire-to-close-in-january
It needs new programming like that of Bromley, Richmond etc, it needs to be brought onto the main touring circuit. Its too big a venue to be presenting all the local and ethnic stuff its tried to commit itself to in the past.
This has been creeping up on them for a year or two now and it is a very sad day but too much work has gone into the Empire for it to completely close. Its not one of those run down theatres that fight to stay alive.
Hackney Empire has West End status facilities now.
The Stage report:
http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/newsstory.php/25656/exclusive-hackney-empire-to-close-in-january
It needs new programming like that of Bromley, Richmond etc, it needs to be brought onto the main touring circuit. Its too big a venue to be presenting all the local and ethnic stuff its tried to commit itself to in the past.
Updated On: 9/24/09 at 12:10 PM
#6
Posted: 9/24/09 at 12:50pm
I imagine if and when it reopens that it will simply becoming a venue that receives touring productions but still have the traditional pantomime, it would make money that way.
#7
Posted: 9/24/09 at 12:58pm
I think and I hope that that is how they are seeing the way forward. Its far too big a venue to be a community theatre.
Its a stunning house and has always been one of my favorite theatres in the UK. The first time i went there it was a Mecca Bingo hall and Desmond Barrit and I joined the bingo club just to go in and see what this famous place was like inside. In those days it was an absolute dive of a place. This was in the early 80s and it had not been decorated in years and was falling apart inside and out.
Its a stunning house and has always been one of my favorite theatres in the UK. The first time i went there it was a Mecca Bingo hall and Desmond Barrit and I joined the bingo club just to go in and see what this famous place was like inside. In those days it was an absolute dive of a place. This was in the early 80s and it had not been decorated in years and was falling apart inside and out.
Updated On: 9/24/09 at 12:58 PM
#8
Posted: 9/25/09 at 6:44am
The problem with the Empire becoming a primarily receiving venue is that it already was - the lineup was something of a 60/40 split for the main house, with things like the Dad's Army and Shaolin Kung Fu tours taking the space for most of the calendar with one-offs like the Hackney Music Hall and a limited number of in-house productions (most notably the fantastic annual panto and a summer work like Once on this Island) filling the rest.
Not sure how the studio ran, but I believe it was entirely received from local companies?
Of course, the other problem with the Empire is that it's crippled by rubbish transport - there aren't a lot of convenient bus routes and it's only rail serviced by a thrice-hourly overground. Case in point: for me to get to the Empire I need to take a bus to Finchley Road and Frognal or South Hampstead overground and then catch the train *or* get the underground to Angel and then a bus. It takes about an hour either way, so I only go for things I *really* want to see.
Not sure how the studio ran, but I believe it was entirely received from local companies?
Of course, the other problem with the Empire is that it's crippled by rubbish transport - there aren't a lot of convenient bus routes and it's only rail serviced by a thrice-hourly overground. Case in point: for me to get to the Empire I need to take a bus to Finchley Road and Frognal or South Hampstead overground and then catch the train *or* get the underground to Angel and then a bus. It takes about an hour either way, so I only go for things I *really* want to see.
#9
Posted: 9/25/09 at 11:51am
The Empire now has backstage facilities that equal Wimbledon and other outer London theatres.
The Empire could and should be taking in the tours that fill the calendar at Wimbledon, Richmnod and Bromley and thereby serve the theatre starved East End of London with top class touring productions.
The 38 bus goes from Shaftesbury Ave direct to the Empire in 30 to 45 mins, every 10 mins. Just about the same time it takes to get to Richmond and Wimbledon and the like!
I've done the journey 1000s of times.
In my dreams, I would love to see ATG take it on!
The Empire could and should be taking in the tours that fill the calendar at Wimbledon, Richmnod and Bromley and thereby serve the theatre starved East End of London with top class touring productions.
The 38 bus goes from Shaftesbury Ave direct to the Empire in 30 to 45 mins, every 10 mins. Just about the same time it takes to get to Richmond and Wimbledon and the like!
I've done the journey 1000s of times.
In my dreams, I would love to see ATG take it on!
#10
Posted: 9/25/09 at 2:59pm
The problem with the Hackney Empire it could be argued that it is too close to London, so the local people say might as well go down to the West End and see a great world class production.
Also Bromley, Richmond and Wimbledon are in very prosperous areas, where Hackney has a lush theatre in a very poor area.
Also Bromley, Richmond and Wimbledon are in very prosperous areas, where Hackney has a lush theatre in a very poor area.
#11
Posted: 9/25/09 at 3:16pm
Haha!
Have you sen the prices on property in the Hackney area these days- scary!
All the Empire needs is to get programed by a company like ATG and get someone who knows their job to get that catchment area aware of what they have on their doorstep.
The Empires catchment area now includes the very prosperous area called Docklands etc! They just need to be made aware of whats right on their doorstep!
Have you sen the prices on property in the Hackney area these days- scary!
All the Empire needs is to get programed by a company like ATG and get someone who knows their job to get that catchment area aware of what they have on their doorstep.
The Empires catchment area now includes the very prosperous area called Docklands etc! They just need to be made aware of whats right on their doorstep!
Updated On: 9/25/09 at 03:16 PM
#12
Posted: 9/25/09 at 3:30pm
I wouldn't be surprised if ATG made a bid for it, it got a decent capacity for musicals and plays and as mentioned West End facilities.
Speaking of ATG, aren't they the favourites alongside Key Brand Entertainment to buy the Live Nation theatres in the regions and the three in London.
Speaking of ATG, aren't they the favourites alongside Key Brand Entertainment to buy the Live Nation theatres in the regions and the three in London.
#13
Posted: 9/25/09 at 3:36pm
Yea, so the news goes as the others pulled out last minute. I think it was last left that all that was needed was a good price between Live Nation and ATG.
I have to say that they have done a bloody good job with their portfolio so far. A little soulless compared to theatre running years ago but they have kept a lot of theatres very busy and OPEN!
I have to say that they have done a bloody good job with their portfolio so far. A little soulless compared to theatre running years ago but they have kept a lot of theatres very busy and OPEN!
#14
Posted: 9/25/09 at 3:54pm
ATG have done a good job, didn't they save the Wimbledon Theatre from closure only a few years ago. It would have been a shame to lose that one but it's going strength to strength and I think I've seen it on television more than twice last week on episodes of New Tricks and The IT Crowd.
Considering most of ATG's venues are playhouses, it will be interesting how they would handle the barns but I would guess they would leave them as they are.
Considering most of ATG's venues are playhouses, it will be interesting how they would handle the barns but I would guess they would leave them as they are.
#15
Posted: 9/25/09 at 4:03pm
Wimbledon wasn't near closure as such it just needed rescuing from really bad, corrupt management.
ATG have some big houses, Wimbledon for one and thats bigger than Hackney is. The Regent in Stoke is also huge as is The New Victoria in Woking.
The Hackney Empire looks and is huge but with the capacity today it wouldn't hold more than say 1200/300 as opposed to its 2800 back in its heyday.
I could tell a few savory stories from there!!!
ATG have some big houses, Wimbledon for one and thats bigger than Hackney is. The Regent in Stoke is also huge as is The New Victoria in Woking.
The Hackney Empire looks and is huge but with the capacity today it wouldn't hold more than say 1200/300 as opposed to its 2800 back in its heyday.
I could tell a few savory stories from there!!!
Updated On: 9/25/09 at 04:03 PM
#16
Posted: 9/25/09 at 4:11pm
"I could tell a few savory stories from there!!!"
oh Mama you know we love your stories...please indulge us!
oh Mama you know we love your stories...please indulge us!
#17
Posted: 9/25/09 at 4:12pm
It will be in the book!
#18
Posted: 9/25/09 at 4:20pm
now that would be one interesting book!!
#19
Posted: 9/30/09 at 10:51am
Empire closure will effect new London comedy talent.
http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/newsstory.php/25726/hackney-empires-closure-a-major-blow-to
http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/newsstory.php/25726/hackney-empires-closure-a-major-blow-to
#20
Posted: 9/30/09 at 10:58am
grrrrr can theatres just be left alone at the moment please.....its doing my head in grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Namo i love u but we get it already....you don't like Madonna
Tickets From $58
Tickets From $80
Tickets From $67
Tickets From $59
