Hackney Empire Theater Announces Upcoming Events And Shows

Heres whats coming up at HACKNEY EMPIRE THEATRE & Studio Theatre

Anansi and The Magic Mirror
19 February - 7 March
Venue: Hackney Empire Theatre

The naughty spider-man is brought to life in a fun-packed family show by the famous Talawa Theatre Company. Bring all your peeps to laugh and learn from Anansi's antics! Starring Kat as Anansi

Anansi, the cheeky little spider-man, is up to his tricks again. But this time he has bitten off more than he can chew. A little bit of harmless fun lands him in a whole world of trouble when he takes a magic mirror from Nana Susu's magic shop.

Talawa Theatre Company weaves together storytelling, dance, music, song and a lot of laughter to bring to life Anansi and the vivid animal characters that inhabit his world.
Preview tickets just £10! 19 - 21 Feb
Family Ticket: for every full paying adult, a child goes 1/2 price!
Price(s): £10 Previews. Premium (All shows Fri, Sat, Sun): £11, £15.50, U16: £9.50. Standard (all shows weekdays): £9, £13.50, U16: £7.50.

Anna Fiorentini Variety Show
Sunday 8 March
7:00 pm
Venue: Hackney Empire Theatre
Price(s): £17 - £9

Students aged 7 - 19 from the Hackney based Anna Fiorentini School perform their annual variety showcase of West End musicals as well as contemporary pieces. Guided by professional choreographers and directors this fun filled evening shows what the youth of today can achieve with a little focus and dedication.

English Touring Opera (30th Anniversary Year)
The Magic Flute
(Mozart)
Thursday 12 March
Saturday 14 March
7:30 pm
Venue: Hackney Empire Theatre

The Magic Flute is an enchanting story with all the elements of great opera; drama. magic and Mozart's musical genius. ETO's new English-language production by physical theatre specialist Liam Steel, conducted by Paul McGrath, And features some of the best new singing talent in the UK, together with experienced Mozart singers Mark Wilde, Laure Meloy and Andrew Slater. This will be a memorable night for all ages.

From the stratospheric arias of the Queen of the Night to the jolly tunes of the birdcatcher Papageno, join Prince Tamino in his quest for his ideal bride, through trials of fire and water, and the clashing forces of Night and Day
Price(s): £15.50, £21, £24, £28.50. Concs: £2 off

Katya Kabanova
(Janacek)
Friday 13 March
7:30 pm
Venue: Hackney Empire Theatre

This is the first ETO production of Janacek's intimate, intense love story and promises to be an evening of passionate theatre. Janacek's mature opera Katya Kabanova is the moving story of a sensitive married woman who falls in love with an attractive young man. This near perfect blend of lyric music and drama is based on the classic Russian play, The Storm; like the play it is dominated by the river Volga, a brooding, fatal presence.

Inspired by the composer's own deep love for a married woman, Katya is a woman with whom every listener falls in love, and who transcends the small town prejudices that overwhelm the other characters.

It is conducted by Michael Rosewell, and directed by James Conway (the teak responsible for ETO's memorable Jenufa in 2006) Linda Richardson and Fiona Kimm make their debuts as Katya and her harsh Mother-in-law, and three fine tenors (Richard Roberts, Colin Judson and Michael Bracegirdle) play the men who come between them.

Grand Union Orchestra
On Liberation Street
Friday 20 March

1:30 pm & 7:30 pm
Saturday 21 March
7:30 pm
Venue: Hackney Empire Theatre
Price(s): £12, School Performance £5

"Telling the stories of today's East Londoners through the music of the world."

From the team that brought you the sensational Doctor Carnival to the Empire 4 years ago, Grand Union Orchestra joins forces with 150 of East London's finest young performers! Steel bands, African drummers, gospel choirs, jazz orchestras, saz and panpipes, sitar, sarangi and tablas, marimba and harp, singers from 5 continents and international jazz stars - all go into the extraordinary mix that celebrates life On Liberation Street.

In Celebration of My Sisters
Sunday 22 March
7:00 pm
Venue: Hackney Empire Theatre
Price(s): £20 - £15

The 13th year of In Celebration of My Sisters, hosted by Brenda Emmanus with a star studded line-up paying homage to International Women's Month and Mothers day. Featuring, Inspirational Speaker, Dance, Poetry, Theatre, and musical finale. A mother's day show not to be missed.

With special guest appearances by Eddie Nestor and Carroll Thompson

The Hounding of David Oluwale
24 March 2009 - 28 March 2009
Venue: Hackney Empire Theatre
Price(s): £16.50 - £14.50, Tue evening & Sat matinee £12.50

4 May 1969 and the battered body of a 38 year old man is pulled from the River Aire. An internal police inquiry will follow, revealing how he had been the victim of horrific, systematic, police brutality.

Based on Kester Aspden's award winning book, Oladipo Agboluaje brings David Oluwale back to Leeds to tell his story, face to face with the Scotland Yard Detective charged with investigating the case. From the prayers of his Maa'mi in Lagos and the glitter of the Mecca Dance Hall to the vagrant shelters of a city that's trying to recreate itself, this is a story of one man searching for justice and another who just wanted to find home.

"Kester Aspden's account is a timely one, reminding us of the profoundly sad connections between past and present" INDEPENDENT
"A shocking and engrossing story... a kind of In Cold Blood set in Leeds" FINANCIAL TIMES
Tuesday 24 March 7:30 pm
Wednesday 25 March 7:30 pm
Thursday 26 March 1:30 pm & 7:30 pm
Friday 27 March 7:30 pm
Saturday 28 March 2:30 pm & 7:30 pm

Hackney Empire Music Hall
Sunday 29 March
4:00 pm
Venue: Hackney Empire Theatre
Price(s): £10, Concs £8, Friends £7, CAN £7.50

They're back again! Your very own Hackney Empire Music Hall Company with a fun filled evening which will leave your spirits lifted. Take a stroll down memory lane and sing along to all your old favourites or simply sit back and enjoy the finest example of Music Hall in the most beautiful Edwardian theatre in London.

Fire of Anatolia
23 April 2009 - 26 April 2009
8.00pm
Venue: Hackney Empire Theatre
Price(s): £29, £39, £49

This world famous dance spectacular has played more than 1000 shows in 40 countries to over 8 million visitors. A fantastic mixture of ballet, modern-oriental and folk dance, the troop of dancers tell the story of Anatolia and its people, now known as Turkey. With over 40 dancers and drummers, this show is truly spectacular.
www.fireofanatolia.com

I am Slim
Saturday 2 May
8:00 pm
Venue: Hackney Empire Theatre
Price(s): £17.50

Award winning stand-up hero Danny 'Slim' Gray presents his latest one man show I AM SLIM, with brand new material about growing up with his Mum, his siblings and... The Belt! Original and versatile Slim's has performed in the top comedy venues around the world and was the first black UK comic to perform at the famous Hollywood Comedy Store.

Guaranteed to have you cracking up in your seat!

TO BE FILMED FOR DVD
Introduced by Curtis Walker with special guests Eddie Kadi and MOBO winning saxophonist Yolanda Brown.

Verdi's Aida
Sunday 3 May
7:30 pm
Venue: Hackney Empire Theatre
Price(s): £12.00- 29.50

Ellen Kent & Amphitheatre Productions presents Verdi's Aida
Sung in Italian with English surtitles.

The splendour of Egypt is set against the grandeur of the Colosseum of Rome in this spectacular new production from Ellen Kent & Amphitheatre Productions. This fully-staged traditional opera is directed by Ellen Kent in an amphitheatre set designed by London based designer Will Bowen.

This tragic love story is brought to life in a production set against one of the greatest pieces of music Verdi ever wrote with the well known arias ‘Celeste Aida', ‘Ritorna Vincitor' and the great chorus piece the ‘TriumpHal March'. This new version of Aida symbolises the powerful religious hold of the priests of Egypt and includes dance sequences based on the ancient temple dancers. Ellen Kent's direction is influenced by the ancient Greek dramas of Euripides in this new take on Aida. Aida is a story of war, jealousy and revenge, centred around is the doomed love of the beautiful Ethiopian slave girl, Aida, and the Egyptian hero, Radames. Aida is a unique mixture of splendid chorus scenes and intimate, lyrical moments which show the Chisinau National Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus at their best.
"The masses should not let Aida pass them by"
Edinburgh Evening News. Struan McKenzie. 2004.

The BFG
5 May 2009 - 9 May 2009
Venue: Hackney Empire Theatre

Price(s): £17.50 - £13.50 (Under 18 £2 off) £8.50 schools prices plus one free teacher for every 10 tickets.

An undisputed national treasure and the world's favourite children's author, Roald Dahl has enchanted young minds for more than twenty five years with stories that fire the imagination, bring dreams to life and release squeals of both terror and delight. The BFG is classic Dahl and this brand new stage show promises to mix up heart-pounding adventures with life-long friendships, jumbly words and even some whizzpopping in front of the Queen!

This new production is adapted by David Wood - the UK's "National Children's Dramatist" (The Times) and directed by Phil Clark. Call today to make your block booking reservation - and don't forget to ask for your schools discount and free seats for accompanying teachers.

"The chance to create a new production of The BFG in 2009 is extremely exciting and challenging. In a world of video games, television and Nintendos, it's important that young people experience the magic of live theatre. Our goal will be to engage them in a fantastical world that has a real relevance to their lives." Phil Clark, Director of The BFG
Perfect schools trip for Key Stage 2touring the UK in 2009
Tuesday 5 May 7:00 pm
Wednesday 6 May 10:30 am & 1.30pm
Thursday 7 May 10:30 am & 1.30pm
Friday 8 May 10:30 am & 7:00 pm
Saturday 9 May 11:00am, 2:00pm & 6:00 pm

Paul Merton's Silent Clowns
Sunday 10 May
7:00 pm
Venue: Hackney Empire Theatre
Price(s): £14.40. Concs: £2 off. Children: £9.50

Join Paul Merton as he screens extracts from the very best silent comedians in some of their funniest films. Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Laurel & Hardy and many others are hi-lighted by Paul whose enthusiasm and infectious knowledge of these films means a splendid time is guaranteed for all. See the best of the silent comics on the big screen with a fantastic live musical accompaniment by the world renowned Neil Brand.
In the second half Harold Lloyd's feature-length comedy Safety Last is shown in it's breathtaking entirety. A comic masterpiece, it's compelling mixture of thrills and laughter is as potent today as it was in 1923. There are no special effects, Harold really is up that high.

Stephen K Amos - Find the Funny
Friday 5 June
8:00 pm
Venue: Hackney Empire Theatre
Price(s): £14.50. Concs £12.50.

New comedy from the star of LIVE AT THE APOLLO (BBC) and ROYAL VARIETY SHOW (ITV). Sell out 2005/6/7.
Supported by Seann Walsh (Runner up - Hackney Empire New Act of The Year 2009)

"You'll laugh until you actually cry." ***** Sunday Express
"Guaranteed a good time" List
"Five star smash" Chortle
"Fuel injected comedic brain...achingly funny." ***** Scotsman

HACKNEY EMPIRE THEATRE
291 Mare Street London E8 1EJ
Box Office: 020 8985 2424
www.hackneyempire.co.uk