The List

Hackney Empire

Built in 1901, the Hackney Empire was originally a music hall and during its colourful history has served as a TV studio and a bingo hall. It reopened as a theatre in 1986 as a permanent base for political theatre company C.A.S.T. (Cartoon Archetypical Slogan Theatre). In 2001 it was announced that the Empire had raised £15 million to fund the renovation and restoration of the theatre, which was opened by one of the primary benefactors Sir Alan Sugar in 2004. The programme includes theatre, music. comedy and children's shows.

What's On @ Hackney Empire

Seann Walsh: After This One, I'm Going Home
Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee and the self-dubbed “Lie-In King”, Seann Walsh is 'unquestionably the best observational comic of his generation' (The Guardian). Returning from his run in America, where he made his USA television debut appearance on Conan, Seann Walsh is back on tour in the UK. This disheveled, fiery, animated, fiercely idle, millennial man child is one of best live comedians to have come out of the UK. Seann made his acting debut starring in Comedy Central’s sitcom Big Bad World, this was quickly followed up by the lead role in Monks (BBC One), he utilized his physical comedic abilities in Sky’s silent comedy, Three Kinds of Stupid, which led to him producing, writing and starring in his own silent comedy web-series The Drunk. He also wrote and starred in his own Sky short for Sky Arts and is now co-starring in Jack Dee’s brand-new sitcom Bad Move (ITV one). He recently made his feature film debut as the children’s nemesis in family film, 2:hrs. Seann is quickly on his way to becoming one of the UK’s best comedy character actors. Team captain on Virtually Famous (Channel 4) and a regular on Play To The Whistle (ITV), other TV appearances include: One For The Road (BBC 3), Live At The Apollo (BBC 2), The Jonathan Ross Show (ITV), Tonight at The London Palladium (ITV), Celebrity Juice (ITV2), 8 Out Of 10 Cats (Channel 4), 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown (Channel 4), Alan Carr’s Chatty Man (Channel 4) and Russell Howards Stand Up Central (Comedy Central) Seann can currently be heard hosting his weekly radio show News-Ish on Fubar Radio. His debut DVD, Seann to be Wild, was recorded at Hammersmith Apollo to critical acclaim when it was released in 2013 by Universal Pictures.
Maisie Adam: Whatsherface

Maisie Adam: Whatsherface

17 Sept 2026 - 20 Mar 2027

Straight off the back of Taskmaster, A League Of Their Own, and Last One Laughing, Maisie Adam is back with her brand new show Whatsherface. Join the "tall, chaotic one with the weird hair" as she returns with her trademark wit, firecracker gags, and probably a few angry outbursts along the way. A genuine description given by her best friend's Mum at a wedding this year.
Adam Rowe

Adam Rowe

9 Oct 2026 - 3 Dec 2026

Adam Rowe a comedian and podcast host who has appeared on Live At The Apollo, Comedy Central’s Roast Battle and The Stand-Up Sketch Show. He co-hosts the Have A Word podcast with Dan Nightingale that pulls in over 1.3 million monthly downloads. He is one of the most exciting young comics to emerge in recent years. Since his debut as an 18 year old back in June 2010, Adam has established himself as one of the most in demand acts and comperes in the country; regularly appearing at all of The UKs biggest comedy clubs and festivals.
Susan Calman

Susan Calman

11 Sept 2026 - 20 Nov 2026

A decade older, but not necessarily wiser, Susan has found herself in some improbable situations over the years. Tall Tales is a show about Cruising, driving tanks, cats and getting older. You might have seen her on the television or heard her on the radio but the absolute best way to see her is live on stage. You won’t believe how short she really is. Prepare yourself for an evening of barely believable stories, laughter and probably some dancing. As seen on Grand Day Out, Cruising with Susan Calman, QI, House of Games and (a long time ago) Strictly Come Dancing.
I'm Grand Mam

I'm Grand Mam

18 Jun 2026 - 25 Jun 2026

Chart topping podcasters I'm Grand Mam are back with a bang. The two lads, originally from Cork, have a cuppa and catch up each week while exploring the collective life landmarks that accompany growing up gay in the world today. Join Kevin and PJ as they navigate their way through life, whilst battling with the internal shared struggle that every Irish gay man deals with - ‘what would Mam think?’
Nish Kumar: Angry Humour From a Really Nice Guy
The world is in chaos. Inequality is widening, autocracy is rising and political parties are collapsing. In these divided times, what this country desperately needs is Angry Humour From a Really Nice Guy (in many ways it's actually the last thing this country needs, but it's what it's getting so tough luck). The UK’s leading political comic Nish Kumar – co-host of hugely popular podcast Pod Save the UK, former host of axed BBC show The Mash Report, and one of Taskmaster’s greatest losers – is back on tour with a formidable batch of passionate, progressive stand-up for the ages. Kumar is 40. His mind is breaking. His body is worse. Expect existential angst and political disquiet from comedy's cheekiest boy. Nish Kumar was named one of the 50 Best Comedians of the 21st Century by both The Guardian and The Telegraph, with his previous tour playing to sold out crowds across the UK, North America, Australasia and mainland Europe.
Ed Gamble: Fresh Hell

Ed Gamble: Fresh Hell

12 Jun 2026 - 26 Jun 2027

Everyone’s annoying cousin, Ed Gamble, is going back on tour in 2027 across the UK & Ireland with some more of his stand up grot. So come and see the self appointed Crown Prince of Visualised Companion Podcasts harrumph about the stage. Co-host of the award winning mega hit podcast Off Menu with James Acaster, host of visualised spinoffs The Traitors: Uncloaked and Taskmaster The Podcast as well as new upcoming panel show Unacceptable airing this summer, Ed’s brand new tour, Fresh Hell follows his biggest ever sold out world tour across Europe, North America and Australia.
Dexys

Dexys

20 Oct 2026 - 8 Nov 2026

Dexys Midnight Runners burst out of Birmingham in the late 1970s with a fiercely original blend of soul, folk, and new wave energy. Fronted by Kevin Rowland, the band became best known for their global smash Come On Eileen, a track that perfectly captures their knack for mixing heartfelt storytelling with irresistible hooks. Never content to stand still, Dexys constantly reinvented their sound and image, earning a reputation as one of Britain’s most passionate and distinctive musical acts.
Fatiha El-Ghorri - Cockney Stacking Doll
BRUV. The break-out star of Taskmaster and Mr Bigstuff is only embarking on her first ever stand-up tour, isn’t she?! Fatiha’s ironed her swaggest hijab and she’s ready to hit the road to serve up her one-of-a-kind and award-winning stand-up. Expect stereotype-smashing and to fall side-splittingly in love with this knock-out comic who is destined for stardom. As seen on Live At The Apollo, QI, The Last Leg, The Jonathan Ross Show, Cats Does Countdown and Donkey. As heard on Off Menu, Alan Carr's Life's A Beach and A Match Made Inshallah for BBC Radio 4. Winner of Leicester Comedy Festival’s Best Debut Show award.
Mc Hammersmith: Ice Ice Nepo Baby

Mc Hammersmith: Ice Ice Nepo Baby

16 Jun 2026 - 20 Jul 2027

MC Hammersmith (posh West London’s leading freestyle rapper with over half a billion views online) presents his new show: “Ice Ice Nepo Baby”. When MC Hammersmith turned 18, his parents (MC Hammer and Vanilla Ice) shockingly revealed he was adopted. His two famous dads helped him ascend to the top of the rap game. He now embarks on a quest to find his biological family, the only way he knows how: by performing an evening of improvised hip hop comedy based on audience suggestions. Lightning-fast freestyle raps, explosively funny rhymes, and utterly captivating genealogical investigation. Featuring brand new routines for 2027!
Jacob Alon + Paulie Swan

Jacob Alon + Paulie Swan

4 Nov 2026 - 4 Nov 2026

Pitchfork Music Festival London Presents: Jacob Alon \+ Paulie Swan In their debut album, In Limerence, Fife-born artist Jacob Alon introduces themselves as one of the fiercest and beguiling of voices in contemporary folk music. But to limit Jacob solely as a folk artist would be doing them a grave disservice. Theirs is a voice to stop traffic, a storyteller to provoke conversation, and a musician shaking off the shackles of any genre specifics. Though their first songs have flickers of Adrianne Lenker, Nick Drake, Rufus Wainwright and other titans of modern-day songwriting, Alon also feels like a limitless artist. While their raw power shines through clearest with just a voice and guitar, they have the personality and panache of a pop star. In whatever sonic guise they take, their commitment to devastatingly frank lyricism and to pulling humour and warmth out of despair makes them a special young voice. Bittersweet symphonies in their truest form. Throughout all of the twists and turns of their childhood and young adulthood, the love they didn’t receive and then learned to give themselves, music has remained the freest and most effective way for Alon to make sense of the world. Already described as having “one of the most remarkable voices of their generation” (The Independent), and “breathing new life into the singer-songwriter genre” (The Times), whilst In Limerence has “all the hallmarks of a modern classic” (The Observer), Jacob Alon is a one-of-a-kind artist doing evocative things. A genuine must-see. Presented by Pitchfork Festival London. All Ages (Under 14s must be accompanied by an adult).

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