The other day my ‘London Shoes’ enjoyed a great day out – a day that was a sort of trip down memory lane for me – as the subject matter in question (a building) formed the backdrop of my working life throughout the 1990’s – and yet I had never explored the place as thoroughly as I would have liked to back then – but, the other day – I had the opportunity to do so.
So – the topic is question for this Shoes blog is the iconic:-
“HACKNEY EMPIRE-THEATRE”
Located in Mare Street-Hackney-London E8, this globally famous old theatre is
located directly opposite, what was up until recently – Barclays Bank-298 Mare Street-Hackney – the branch where I worked throughout the entire 1990’s – and this amazing theatre was a constant visual every day I worked there.
Anyway – whilst trawling the internet the other day I happened to notice an advert promoting an “OPEN DAY” at the Hackney Empire – and what with my love of Hackney and this magnificent old theatre, I just could waste the opportunity to book myself in for a visit and a unique conducted tour throughout the entire theatre premises.
So – accompanied by Angela (the GLW-‘good lady wife’) we set off for Stratford Station, and then the London Overground service to Hackney Central, just a couple of stops away.
In 1901 Britain’s most prolific theatre architect ‘Frank Matcham’ was commissioned to design and build a grand theatre in Mare Street-Hackney.
Frank Matcham was the top man of the time in this particular architectural field – having been the man behind the design and construction of scores of theatres throughout Britain – London Paladium / London Coliseum / Glasgow Empire / Cardiff Empire / Palace Theatre Manchester / London Hippodrome / Lyric Theatre-London / Brighton Hippodrome – being just some of the magnificent theatre buildings Frank Matcham knocked-out in the later 1800’s-early 1900’s.
Frank Matcham was given a budget of £65,000 (£10M+ in today’s money) to build the Hackney Empire – and incredibly, he completed the job in just 38 weeks.
For its day, the newly built Hackney Empire was cutting edge stuff, as it had electric light – a cantilever stall construction and its very own manual sort of air conditioning.
The Hackney Empire, with its impressive terracotta exterior, was opened to the public for the first
time, bringing ‘live’ entertainment to the east-end – on 9th Dec 1901.
Initially the Hackney Empire was run as a theatre and a music hall – with performances twice a night.
All the famous music hall/vaudeville performers of the day played the Hackney Empire – it drew all the top stars – including the likes of Charlie Chaplin / WC Fields / Harry Houdini plus local girl done good “Marie Lloyd”.
Born in nearby Hoxton, the great music hall singer Marie Lloyd bought her first house in Graham Road, just round the corner from the Hackney Empire.
Right at the very top of the Hackney Empire stage, at the centre of its structure, right up there ‘in the gods’ – there’s a sort of ornament/plaque depicting a page of sheet music, with all the notes on it. It is said that the musical notes are that of Marie Lloyd’s popular hit of the time…. “The Boy I Love Is Up in The Gallery” – A nice little touch that, if the story is true – and there are certainly plenty of ‘galleries’ in the Hackney Empire theatre – for the boy she loves to be seated in!!!
When Marie Lloyd married her first husband Percy Courtney – she bought a house in Graham Road-Hackney, just around the corner from the Hackney Empire – the house is still standing and today there is a Blue Plaque displayed on its exterior wall, commemorating the fact that Marie Lloyd once lived there.
By 1910 cinema entertainment had arrived and the Hackney Empire started showing films – making the theatre even more popular with the east end’s working classes.
During the WW2 years, the Britannia Pub that was situated at the corner of the Hackney Empire, took a massive hit from a German bomb, but the theatre remained almost intact.
Legend has it that in 1943 there was a bombing raid on Hackney whilst a tightrope act was entertaining the audience at the Empire. The air raid alarm sounded, alerting everyone to evacuate the theatre – but apparently the audience said sod that and decided to stay put and continue watching the tightrope walker complete his act!!!
In the mid 1950’s Television Production Company “ATV” bought into the Hackney Empire to use it as a television studio – making its first programme in Feb 1956.
Popular weekly TV programmes such as “Take Your Pick” and pop music prog “Oh Boy” plus some episodes of “Opportunity Knocks” were filmed at the Hackney Empire.
In 1963 the Hackney Empire turned into a top Bingo venue when the MECCA Organisation started running it as a Bingo Hall – and this carried on right up to 1984.
The theatre was transformed to accommodate the bingo masses – with plaster board covering over all the ornate fixtures and fittings.
By the mid to late 1980’s the poor old Hackney Empire was in a right old run-down state – requiring considerable £thousands to renovate it back to its original glorified state. At one stage an agreement was almost come to, to pull the theatre down completely and build a public car park in its place.
The theatre was in desperate need of some serious investment – to keep it standing – but it seemed that no one wanted to take the job on – so its future was looking extremely bleak.
However – in the late 1980’s a satirical, political touring theatre group led by a Roland and Claire Muldoon – put in a bid to have Hackney Empire as their London base. Rumour has it that they bought the freehold for just £1,000!
In 1986, when the Hackney Empire was celebrating its 85th birthday, new owners Roland and Claire Muldoon and their hard working team re-opened the Hackney Empire as a theatre, to the paying public.
Very soon the old Hackney Empire developed into being the home of ‘alternative’ comedy – launching the careers of the likes of Ben Elton, Dawn French, Julian Clary, Alan Davies, Lenny Henry, Jennifer Saunders, Gina Yashere plus many many more. It also brought stuff such as Opera and International Theatre plus extremely well attended talent nights to London E8 – making this old theatre extremely popular once again.
In 2001 the Hackney Empire theatre closed for 3 years to enable a massive restoration/renovation project to be undertaken.
These renovation works cost £17 million – and the money money came from public funding as well individual donations, including a huge donation from Lord Alan Sugar – whose parents had loved the Hackney Empire and regularly brought Alan there when he was a child.
The restoration work brought the Empire’s fixtures and fittings back to their original features – and also introduced new toilets and bars and stuff like that.
In 2004 Alan Sugar re-opened the Hackney Empire with the likes of Queen guitarist Brian May and comedienne/actress Meera Syal on the bill.
Today the Hackney Empire is one of the largest theatres in London with almost 1,300 seats – and for music gigs, it can hold over 1,600 with some parts converted for standing – and the theatre is quite rightly protected by a Grade II Listed status.
Thousands of punters visit the Hackney Empire each year these days – and enjoy a vast array of different genres of entertainment performed from its famous stage – theatre / pantomime / music / comedy / opera…. you’ll find it all at the Hackney Empire – its panto’s in particular are legendary.
The Hackney Empire theatre also organises regular programmes of creative arts activity for the younger generations – not only from the local community, but including youth groups way all across London.
So – as you can probably gather – an ‘Open Day’ event at the famous Hackney Empire theatre was too good an opportunity to miss – and to be shown around and explore every nook and crannie of this fabulous historic theatre, was a really enjoyable experience. For me m- it was like I was standing on the shoulders of giants – I could almost smell the greasepaint!!!
As mentioned at the beginning of this article – the Hackney Empire was a visual backdrop to my daily working life throughout the 1990’s – when I worked at the Barclays Bank branch directly opposite the theatre.
Sadly – like a lot of high street banks – my old 298 Mare Street-Hackney branch closed, just a year or so ago.
However – it now has a new lease of life and has been transformed into a “PIZZA EXPRESS” outlet !!!
Now – some may think that’s sacrilege – but I think it’s great – and it was the ideal place for me (& the good lady wife Angela) to head to for a bit of refreshment, having attending the Hackney Empire Open Day event.
They’ve done a great job on the conversion (in my opinion) as the layout of the Pizza Express is not a lot different to how the banking hall once was – its just that now its full of tables and chairs and the old counter is now where they prepare and dish up the pizza’s.
The loo’s are down in the basement where the old stationary cupboard used to be – the coin lift is still in situ – as is the old strongroom – the door to it has been left open, but the strongroom itself has been blocked off.
As we were tucking into our pizza’s and lemon chicken wings – plus a ‘cheeky’ pino blush on the side for me – it was kind of a nice feeling to be back in the surroundings of a place I spent 10 ‘eventful’ but happy years working, some 30 yrs ago now – this time, being there under completely different circumstances – but with the one ‘constant’ STILL there, which hopefully it will always be…..the “HACKNEY EMPIRE”.
Hope you enjoyed this little story and its accompanying photos.
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See below the entire gallery of photos taken to support this Hackney Empire blog
The ‘Hackney Empire’ is dead easy to get to. Just go to Stratford Station – then take the London Overground – and a couple of stops down the line is “Hackney Central” station
Hackney Central station – just a couple of stops from Stratford mainline station
Hackney Central Station – just a couple of hundred yards from the Hackney Empire
Located in Mare Street-Hackney-London E8, this globally famous old theatre is located directly opposite, what was up until recently – Barclays Bank-298 Mare Street-Hackney – the branch where I worked throughout the entire 1990’s
The Hackney Empire Theatre – runs a couple of ‘Open Day’ events per year – and my London Shoes made sure I was on the ‘Guest List’
Me – amongst the magnificent fixtures & fittings of the iconic ‘Hackney Empire’
In 1901 Britain’s most prolific theatre architect ‘Frank Matcham’ was commissioned to design and build a grand theatre in Mare Street-Hackney. He was given a budget of £65K and he built the theatre with 38 weeks.
The Hackney Empire, with its impressive terracotta exterior, was opened to the public for the first time, bringing ‘live’ entertainment to the east-end – on 9th Dec 1901.
“Frank Matcham” – was the top man of the time in the Theatre architectural field – he was the man behind the design and construction of scores of theatres throughout Britain – London Paladium / London Coliseum / Glasgow Empire / Cardiff Empire / Palace Theatre Manchester / London Hippodrome / Lyric Theatre-London / Brighton Hippodrome – plus many more magnificent theatre buildings
The original 1901 ‘Frank Matcham’ mosaic tiles still adorn the main entrance to the Hackney Empire
This is the magnificent sight that greets you as you enter the main entrance to the Hackney Empire
On the 1st floor of the Hackney Empire – looking down on the main entrance
This magnificent sight can be seen as you look up at the ceiling – upon entering the Hackney Empire.
Views from inside the “Hackney Empire” theatre
Views from inside the “Hackney Empire” theatre
Views from inside the “Hackney Empire” theatre
Views from inside the “Hackney Empire” theatre
Views from inside the “Hackney Empire” theatre
Views from inside the “Hackney Empire” theatre
My wife Angela – accomplice for the day – inside the “Hackney Empire”
Views from inside the “Hackney Empire” theatre
Views from inside the “Hackney Empire” theatre
Views from inside the “Hackney Empire” theatre
An old b&w photo of the Hackney Empire in the early 1900’s.
Just some of the old Music Hall stars – that ‘trod the board’ of the Hackney Empire stage
An old promo poster for the Hackney Empire
When it first opened in 1901 and throughout the next decade orb so – all the famous British music hall/US vaudeville performers of their day played the Hackney Empire – it drew all the top stars – including the likes of Charlie Chaplin / WC Fields / Harry Houdini plus local girl done good “Marie Lloyd”.
The music score to one of Marie Lloyd’s most popular songs “The Boy I Love Is Up In The Gallery”
Right at the very top of the Hackney Empire stage, at the centre of its structure, right up there ‘in the gods’ – there’s an ornamental plaque depicting a page of sheet music, with all the notes on it. It is said that the musical notes are that of Marie Lloyd’s popular hit of the time…. “The Boy I Love Is Up in The Gallery”
A close-up of the ornamental plaque located high above the Hackney Empire stage – it is said that it depicts the music to the big Marie Lloyd hit “The Boy I Love Is Up In The Gallery”
A zoomed-in close-up taken by the good lady wife Angela, my accomplice for the day – the photo is of “the boy she loves – up in the gallery”!!!
Views from right up ‘in the gods’ – of the “Hackney Empire” theatre –
Views from inside the “Hackney Empire” theatre
Views from inside the “Hackney Empire” theatre
Views from inside the “Hackney Empire” theatre
An old promo poster for the Hackney Empire
In the mid 1950’s Television Production Company “ATV” bought into the Hackney Empire to use it as a television studio – making its first programme in Feb 1956. Popular weekly TV programmes such as “Take Your Pick” and pop music prog “Oh Boy” plus some episodes of “Opportunity Knocks” were filmed at the Hackney Empire.
Looking down on the Hackney Empire stage – from right up ‘in the gods’. (very steep)
Me – up ‘in the gods’ of the Hackney Empire theatre
The Hackney Empire Panto’s are legendary
My accomplice Angela – getting some snaps inside the Hackney Empire theatre
Views from inside the “Hackney Empire” theatre
Views from inside the “Hackney Empire” theatre
In 2001 the Hackney Empire theatre closed for 3 years to enable a massive restoration/renovation project to be undertaken. These renovation works cost £17 million – and the money money came from public funding as well individual donations, including a huge donation from Lord Alan Sugar – whose parents had loved the Hackney Empire and regularly brought Alan there when he was a child.
The Hackney Empire – annual Panto’s – are legendary. When I worked over the road from the Empire – we were often given complimentary tickets at Christmas – to see the Pantomime’s – my children used to love going to them.
Me – amongst the magnificent fixtures & fittings of the iconic ‘Hackney Empire’
The Hackney Empire – annual Panto’s – are legendary.
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Me & wife ‘Angela’ – in the stalls of the Hackney Empire – during our Open Day tour of the Theatre
The Hackney Empire – annual Panto’s – are legendary.
Views from inside the “Hackney Empire” theatre
‘Live’ musical entertainment – always a big draw at the Hackney Empire
Me – in the stalls of the Hackney Empire – with the circle and the ‘gods’ above
Our ‘Open Day’ tour group treading the famous boards of the Hackney Empire stage
Looking out at the auditorium from the Hackney Empire stage
At least I can now say with some accuracy that “I have trodden the boards” of the Hackney Empire!!!
Me – performing my ‘Mr. Blobby’ routine – on stage at the ‘Hackney Empire’
Thousands of people visit the Hackney Empire each year these days – enjoying a vast array of different genres of entertainment performed from its famous stage – theatre / pantomime / music / comedy / opera…. you’ll find it all at the Hackney Empire – its panto’s in particular are legendary.
My old workplace ‘Barclays Bank-298 Mare Street Hackney E8’ – as seen across the road, from the side of the Hackney Empire Theatre
The recently closed ‘Barclays Bank-298 Mare street-Hackney’ branch as it once was – situated directly opposite the Hackney Empire – and where I worked throughout the 1990’s.
Me (far left) – and some of my boys – in the banking hall of Barclays 298 Mare Street-Hackney’ branch – at some time in the early 1990’s.
The old ‘Barclays Bank-Mare Street-Hackney’ branch – as it is today – a ‘Pizza Express’ restaurant.
Inside the old Barclays Bank-298 Mare Street-Hackney’ as it is today – the banking hall is now now its full of tables and chairs and the old counter is where they now prepare and dish up the pizza’s.
Angela – waiting for her pizza, in what was once the banking hall of Barclays Mare Street Branch – where I worked throughout the entire 1990’s.
Me – in the basement of the Pizza Express – its now their clean and posh loo’s – but once upon a time, this was a locker room – where me and all my staff used to chuck all our rubbish – you’d have trouble getting inside the door.
The view across the street from our table at the Pizza Express – a view that was my daily vista throughout the 1990’s.
Where once they were dishing out £pound notes – they now dish out pizza’s!!! The old Barclays Bank-Mare Street-Hackney branch – is now a Pizza Express
Me & Angela tucking into our very tasty pizza’s and lemon chicken wings – in what was once the banking hall of Barclays Bank-Mare street-Hackney branch – where i worked throughout the entire 1990’s.
Tucking into my pizza – washed down with a ‘cheeky’ Pino Blush – it was kind of a nice feeling to be back in the surroundings of a place I spent 10 ‘eventful’ but happy years working, (some 30yrs ago now) – but this time, being there under completely different circumstances – but with the one ‘constant’ STILL there across the road, which hopefully it will always be…..the magnificent “HACKNEY EMPIRE”.
Another great read Geoff, Richard will love this one as he’s an avid Theatre buff. Love your London Shoes blogs, so very, very interesting. Hope your both keeping well XxX
Another good trip with you and your Shoes, it made me think of all the times I walked down Mare Street, and my uncle drove a bus on that route.
What a beautiful old building, even the roof from outside.
When I was a kid it was closed and derelict for years, nice to see it up and running, all the great names that played there too many to mention
The ‘Angelo Raffaele Cefalo’ advertised across the front of the theatre, in that old b&w 1900’s photo in your blog – referred to an Italian born magician – who was also a good friend of Harry Houdini
Your ‘London Loafers’ on the Empire stage eh Geoff !!!
Oh Geoff how I envy you for the opportunity you had to do a full tour of the famous Hackney Empire. Yet again many thanks for your blog and all of them again I say please keep them going as I can identify with some of them.
As always – many thanks for your kind comments and encouragement Peter – I intend to keep ‘knocking them out’ for you!!
Cheers…..GEOFF