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Hackney Empire

London Borough of Hackney, GB

Hackney Empire

Hackney Empire is a theatre on Mare Street, in Hackney in the London Borough of Hackney. Originally designed by Frank Matcham it was built in 1901 as a music hall, and expanded in 2001. Described by The Guardian as "the most beautiful theatre in London" it is an Arts Council England National Portfol

io Organisation. In 2021, pop singer Leona Lewis became the patron of the Empire. The architectural writer Nikolaus Pevsner described the Hackney Empire as "among the best-surviving Edwardian suburban variety theatres". Samantha Ellis in The Guardian writes, "From Chaplin to Gracie, the Hackney Empire played host to the greatest stars of music hall".

Listen to the audio guide for Hackney Empire Free on WIP — starts by itself when you arrive, even with the screen off

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