Hackney Empire has officially announced the initial programming for its landmark 125th anniversary, detailing a 16-month celebration of theater, comedy, music, and heritage. Under the leadership of CEO Chris Sudworth, the iconic Grade II* listed East London venue will embark on a major new creative chapter titled Hackney:Central, a structural vision aimed at increasing production and cementing the theater's place within London's wider cultural landscape.
The extensive anniversary celebrations will officially launch on September 19 and 20, 2026, with a specialized outdoor festival stage curated by the venue's Young Producers, alongside a historical exhibition documenting radical moments from the theater's 125-year legacy. The opening weekend will also feature a collaborative football kit launch with Hackney Women's FC and the London College of Fashion.
The autumn programming boasts a series of high-profile theatrical partnerships. In October, international physical theater company Theatre Re will open the 10th anniversary tour of The Nature of Forgetting, followed swiftly by a collaborative hosting of Talawa Theatre Company’s 40th Anniversary Showcase to celebrate Black excellence in British theater.
Additionally, the venue will premiere Empire Nights, a live variety series curated by guest host Jamali Maddix featuring comedy from Guz Khan and Michelle de Swarte. In November, comedy legends Lenny Henry and Jo Brand will return to the stage to mark the venue's historic role in the alternative comedy movement.
The season will culminate in December with the legendary annual pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk, directed by and starring Clive Rowe. Looking ahead to 2027, the theater will host the London leg of Nanny of the Maroons, a major world-premiere musical co-production alongside the Belgrade Theatre and tiata fahodzi. To support this growth, the venue has secured developmental funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to research future structural capital works, while simultaneously preparing to mark the 25th anniversary of its signature Creative Futures youth program. Additional programming and fundraising events will be revealed in the coming months.
