The Hackney Empire
Posted by Diane Abbott, MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington, at 11:01, Mon 9 November 2009:
As constituents will know, the Hackney Empire is due to close its doors after the end of its Pantomime season in January for a “period of reflection”. The official story is that the theatre will reopen after about nine months with a new organisational structure which will lead to better financial stability.
I am concerned that the reopening may never occur. All theatres are struggling through the economic hard times but reports have come out that the Empire was in trouble even before the recession hit. And other reports have emerged that there were “artistic conflicts” amongst the heads of the theatre.
I have always loved going to see shows at the Hackney Empire. It’s a momentous part of the Hackney landscape. Since reopening in 2004 the theatre has shown a good selection of shows that appeal to a wide-range of people – from Shakespeare to Black variety shows. And the theatre has a vast history stretching back to the turn of the 20th Century.
I think it would be a crying shame if we lost the Empire and am planning meetings with theatre representatives to get to the bottom of the problem. What do constituents think? Does the Empire offer a unique theatre-going experience or are its financial difficulties a sign that it no longer offers a programme people want to see?
Comments
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Posted by James Cherkoff, 11:15, Mon 9 November 2009: (Is this post abusive?) #
I think it would a be a great shame for the Empire to close. The news seemed to come out of the blue. I was under the general impression it was doing well. It would be interesting to hear more about the detail of its financial problems.
Posted by Dan Mackie, 11:19, Mon 9 November 2009: (Is this post abusive?) #
I've lived in Hackney for 8 years and I've never been to the Empire. Whilst it is a shame for any artistic institution to close, I also ask why I've never been interested in going? I think the range of production is the key, along with attracting the cream of new and established actors as well as production companies to the theatre.
Posted by Patrick Atkinson, 11:23, Mon 9 November 2009: (Is this post abusive?) #
This Venue should be put to the public use, what about the old time music, the aged, as never happened before open up the books to community bodies and trade unions is it not important to have a Cultural centre.
Posted by Moira Matthews, 11:36, Mon 9 November 2009: (Is this post abusive?) #
To lose the Empire for good would be detrimental to Hackney as a whole and to me and my family on a personal note. The Empire closing after the panto could be seen as a short term thing while the overground line is being closed. It offers such a variety of shows from community ones to national ones to international ones that it can appeal to lots of people. The pantomime is loved by all and always well attended. It would be a shame to lose this historic theatre.
Posted by John Callon, 11:49, Mon 9 November 2009: (Is this post abusive?) #
Like Dan Mackie, I've lived in Hackney for some years and never been to the Empire. It is easier for me to get to the West End than to the Empire, so it would have to be something really good to get me there; transport connections are not great. Does its location have something to do with its lack of economic success? Maybe its structure has something to with it in the sense that I'm sure a number of West End theatres run at a loss but because they are owned by impresarios who have a number of theatres, some with successful shows, the overall bottom line is positive. I'm not sure who is on the management committee during the period of reflection, but if there are no successful impresarios involved, then read "navel gazing" for "reflection".
Go to the West End any day, and you'll find coach loads of people coming to see shows. How does this happen? Who organises this?
Or has the entertainment business turned a corner making suburban theatres no longer viable? What about Wimbledon Theatre or Theatre Royal Stratford East - they seem to survive. Why?
Posted by Shimrit Elisar, 11:53, Mon 9 November 2009: (Is this post abusive?) #
The Empire is an institution. It would be a great shame if it closed as it's one of the best things in Hackney. In fact, it's one of the few things that has put Hackney on the map as a centre for culture and not just as "that place where all the shootings happen".
Posted by Rob Brown, 12:43, Mon 9 November 2009: (Is this post abusive?) #
The closing of the Empire is the latest in a series of disappointments for Hackney after the closing of the Ocean opposite and the Hackney Central bar all for financial reasons. As a regular at the Empire I'm terribly upset but the reasons are obvious. There are not enough local theatre goers and the transport options are inadequate until the North London Line is upgraded (Boris notwithstanding). The Empire has expensively tried to cater for all tastes as there is no one local theatre going demographic hence no high profit long run productions bar the pantomine. The buzz and development of Dalston is notably missing and there are better organised, better resourced East London centres such as Rich Mix.The vague Olympic effect ,Tesco Aurora held up in planning and the burnt out Gibbons site still empty all mean jam later for the Hackney Empire. Local MPs need to do more than lament its difficulties as a shame.
Posted by Anne Carroll, 15:05, Mon 9 November 2009: (Is this post abusive?) #
The Empire is part of Hackney's cultural heritage and should be saved. As a single parent I don't have much money and usually only go for the pantomime but I dearly love the excitement of a live show with real people. Nothing beats it really. I would definately back a campaign to save the Hackney Empire and believe it is something we should fight for.
Posted by Jo Homan, 12:58, Tue 10 November 2009: (Is this post abusive?) #
I was interested in going to the Empire but the children's shows always looked quite tacky - based on tv shows rather than good children's literature. I'd also be interested in going to see a pantomime there.
It would make sense for there to be a young stagers group there on Saturdays (if there isn't already) as local parents are always keen on activities for their 7-18 year olds. There could also be (if there isn't already) a summer school leading up to a performance. Perhaps there could be a link with local schools during term time - schools shows or children's workshops developing 'Speaking and Listening' skills.
The building could also be used to host discussions, maybe take a leaf out of Arcola's book.
Posted by Barry Branford, 16:24, Tue 10 November 2009: (Is this post abusive?) #
I live in Hackney and have worked in the Empire. The refit in 2004 was first rate and made it one of the best equipped theaters of its size that I have worked in. All the more shocking and disappointing that it will shut ("period of reflection" sounds very ominous!). It would be such a waste after all that money was spent getting it to such a high standard. Some one mentioned about the Ocean shutting too. Could putting music on at the Empire be a way to help the place survive.
Posted by keith pearshouse, 20:51, Tue 10 November 2009: (Is this post abusive?) #
Perhaps the quality, or choice of material presented by the Theatre has not been of a sufficient standard to appeal to Hackney residents. I have been three times to the Empire to see the English National Opera and the place has been packed. Is some of the programme presented by the Theatre a rather patronising attempt to appeal to what is thought to be the cultural aspirations of Hackney people, - ie. song and dance reviews.
Keith Pearshouse
Posted by Tim Webb, 22:13, Tue 10 November 2009: (Is this post abusive?) #
I am saddened by those who've never been to the Empire. I have only ever seen one duff performance there and that was a children's performance based on a TV show. Everything else has been brilliant. The Empire panto has become an annual tradition. The varied musicals, perfomance art and children's shows are great. The Empire stages events for local schools and kids and is part of this community. The audiences reflect Hackney's brilliant community. It would be appalling to lose such a fantastic resource. It's good for local restaurant businesses too. How can we save it? Rhetoric and petitions won't do. What action is needed to keep this much needed central Hackney gem?
Posted by Seemone Osinnowo, 13:05, Wed 11 November 2009: (Is this post abusive?) #
My daughter and myself love going to the Hackney empire. We go at least once a month if we can, and have always enjoyed the shows...we recently went to see Zambesi express which my daughter's still talking about. We would definitely miss our Hackney Empire, and i believe Hackney wouldn't be quiet the same without it. Plus with the 2012 approaching its a great place for Hackney to express its artistic spirit. KEEP HACKNEY EMPIRE ALIVE...for the kids!