Hackney Empire
The Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre is a contemporary venue in North West London, known for its flexible design and ability to host large-scale productions. Built on the site of the former Fountain Studios, it has quickly become a hub for innovative theatre, musicals, and live events. The theatre’s adaptable auditorium and modern amenities make it a favorite for both audiences and producers seeking a dynamic space for bold new shows. The Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre seating plan will help you find the best seats in the theater.
About Hackney Empire
- The Hackney Empire has a capacity of 1268 seated guests.
- In the case of music performances with standing room, Hackney Empire can accommodate up to 1631 visitors.
- The seats are spread over Stalls, Dress Circle, Upper Circle and the Gallery.
Hackney Empire Seating Plan >
The history of the Hackney Empire dates all the way back to 1901 when Sir Oswald Stoll approached Frank Matcham to build a theatre and music hall in Hackney, London. The project had a timeline of a mere ten months, with a shoestring budget of £65,000. Hackney Empire successfully opened in 1901 and ran till 1956 as a music hall, theatre and film screening space. The theatre changed hands and ATV used it as a television studio from 1956 to 1963. The hall had a change in ownership again and was used as a bingo hall by the Mecca Organisation for the next 21 years, after which it was almost demolished and converted into a car park. It was saved from that fate by another set of new owners, Cartoon Archetypical Slogan Theatre’s Roland and Claire Muldoon, who then finally re-opened Hackney Empire in 1986 as a permanent performance space. The theatre ran a fabulous life till 2001 when it was closed for a huge refurbishment project and re-opened in 2004. It is now a Grade II* listed building, and also a registered charity.
Hackney Empire was built by famous architect Frank Matcham, who also contributed to the London Palladium, London Coliseum, Victoria Palace Theatre and many other famous theatres. The performance space was designed in a Victorian and Edwardian architectural style, with ornate terracotta exteriors. Over the years, the building was used for many different purposes, therefore the architecture, too, was impacted. The 2001 restoration was handled by Tim Ronalds Architects with Carr and Angier as theatre consultants, and aimed to retain the original architecture, but with modern touches and facilities. Among other improvements, the restoration added a 60-seat orchestra pit, modern dressing rooms, educational and hospitality facilities, a studio theatre, and the Marie Lloyd public house.
Hackney is known to put on performances including operas, comedy shows, musicals, music concerts and even talks. During its time as a music hall, Hackney Empire hosted performances by Charlie Chaplin, Louis Armstrong, WC Fields, Stanley Holloway, Julie Andrews, Stan Laurel, Houdini and Marie Lloyd, to name a few. When Hackney was converted to a television studio, shows such as Take Your Pick, 291 Club and Oh, Boy! were broadcast live from the theatre. Hackney has also had performances from famous names such as Peppa Pig, Rudimental, Arcade Fire and others, which saw packed setas. Famous comedians who have performed at Hackney include Russel Brand, Craig Ferguson, and Dawn French, to name a few.
Know Before You Go
- Train: The closest station to Hackney Empire is Hackney Central, which is five minutes away.
- Bus: Hop off at the Hackney Town Hall bus stop, served by buses 30, 55, 106, 236 (24hr), 254, 276, 277 (24hr), 394, N55, N253, N277 and W15.
- Parking: Hackney Empire is a controlled parking zone. The closest rented car park is JustPark on Mare Street. Limited disabled parking is available near the theatre.
- Recommended Mode of Transport: The bus is the easiest mode of public transportation to reach the venue.
- Washrooms: The theatre has washrooms on all levels.
- Bar: The venue has a licensed bar at each level, open for food and drinks.
- Air Conditioning: Hackney Empire’s auditorium is air-conditioned.
- Box Office: You can head to the box office to purchase tickets, ask queries regarding the performances, and inquire about seating arrangements.
- Cloakroom: You can stack larger items that you bring at the free cloakroom.
- WiFi: Free WiFi is available at the theatre.
Motor
- Hackney Empire has step-free access to its Mare Street entrance directly to the Stalls.
- The step-free entrance on Wilton Way allows you to directly access the lift.
- The theatre has a lift to all levels.
- There are seven wheelchair spaces located at the back of the Stalls. The front of the Stalls section, too, has step-free access.
- Each level of the theatre has at least one accessible toilet.
Auditory
- The theatre is equipped with a Sennheiser Mobile Connect assistive listening system for the benefit of patrons who are deaf or hard of hearing.
- Captioned performances are held at the theatre.
Visual
- BSL Interpreted performances are arranged throughout the year.
Others
- Service dogs are permitted in the theatre, and can also be looked after by the staff during the performance.
- Relaxed and Dementia-friendly performances are available throughout the year.
- Access Seats: Differently-abled visitors are advised to apprise the venue in advance of their requirements so they can be assigned appropriate seats, especially if they are being accompanied by service dogs.
- Dress Code: There is no official dress code at the Hackney Empire. Smart casual attire and semi-formal attire are recommended.
- Early Arrival: We recommend that you arrive 20 minutes before the start of the performance, as latecomers may not be permitted to enter the auditorium till a suitable break.
- Age Rating: Children aged 3 and under, who can sit on their guardian’s lap throughout the show, do not need a ticket.
- Booster Cushions: A limited number of booster seats are available at the theatre for family shows.
Old Ship: An old-school pub in Hackney, famous for its craft beers, burgers, and rotisserie chicken. They also have live sports screenings inside, for a great game day experience!
- Direction
to Old Ship
Tonkotsu: If you’re a ramen fan, do not hesitate to head to Tonkotsu to try theirs. With their homemade noodles and chilli oil, their ramen is one of the best in the city. Also, try out their festive Christmas menu if you’re visiting in December.
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to Tonkotsu
Pidgin: One of the most interesting neighbourhood restaurants in London, Pidgin does not have a set menu. Their dishes change on a weekly basis, allowing you to visit regularly and never be bored by the repeated dishes!
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to Pidgin
Temple of Seitan: Head to this pick-up-only store for a great selection of classic American burgers and shakes. Also, try their hot wings and their traditional sides of fries or wraps.
- Direction
Frequently Asked Questions About Hackney Empire
Hackney Empire is located on Mare Street, in Hackney, London.
Hackney Empire is easily accessible by train, bus, or private vehicle. The bus is the most recommended mode of transport.
Hackney Empire is known to put on performances including operas, comedy shows, musicals, music concerts and even talks. Some notable performances have been of Peppa Pig, Rudimental, Arcade Fire and others.
The Hackney Empire has a capacity of 1268 seated guests, spread over Stalls, Dress Circle, Upper Circle and Gallery sections.
Yes, the theatre has made its performances accessible to those with motor, audio, visual and other stimulatory challenges. The Hackney Empire offers various facilities and resources for disabled visitors, including wheelchair access, hearing devices, access performances and more.
The price of the tickets depends on the show that you choose to watch and the timing of the same at the Hackney Empire.
You can book your tickets to shows playing at the Hackney Empire online at London Theatre Tickets. You will get the best deals and discounts and all the information you need at your fingertips.
Yes, the Hackney Empire has many dining options nearby, such as Pidgin, Old Ship and others. The venue also has in-house bars for patrons.
A few attractions near the Hackney Empire that you can explore before you go for a show include the Hackney Museum, Museum of the Home, Hackney Church and others.
