Hackney Empire today announce details of additional new shows for their 2025 season, including comedy, theatre, dance, music, live podcasts and their annual pantomime.
COMEDY
Following a sold out show this January, Live at the Empire returns in March with another fantastic line-up featuring two Taskmaster and Live at the Apollo stars Phil Wang and Fern Brady. They’ll be joined by two-time Edinburgh Comedy Award winner and Taskmaster star John Kearns, two-time Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee Janine Harouni, and Live at the Apollo star Laura Smyth.
On 7 February, stand-up comedian, rapper and online sensation Munawar Faruqui takes audiences on a 2-hour journey in his show Dhandho, blurring the lines between comedy, storytelling, and raw truth. On 20 March, Jimbo’s Drag Cirus promises an evening of outrageous characters and adult humour starring Canada’s own JIMBO from RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 8 and Canada’s Drag Race. The Divine Variety: A Celestial Happening (3 April) follows on in a similar vein as The Divine’s very own Jonny Woo and John Sizzle curate and host this special gathering, of drag queens and kings, queer stand-up, alternative performance art, live music, dance moments and all-round Hackney queer fabulous-ness.
In his politically-charged stand-up show Nish, Don’t Kill My Vibe (24 May) Nish Kumar kills the current world mood even further with jokes about climate collapse, income inequality and the emotional sensation of being a British Indian man who didn’t vote for a British Indian Prime Minister. The Lavari Show (12 July) is the premier Gujarati live talk show that blends comedy with improv. Each week, the charismatic hosts Manan Desai and Chirayu Mistry welcome renowned celebrities for an engaging and humorous conversation, and this live show features Om Bhatt and Deep Vaidya.
This explosive comedy line-up will be completed by talents including; Eshaan Akbar, Touch of Class: Mother’s Day Special, Aurie Styla, Jamali Maddix, World Comedy Clash 2025, Ellie Taylor, Kerry Godliman, Paul Mirabel and Nick Mohammed.
MUSIC
Offering a sensational evening of soulful classics and spiritual renditions, Soul & Qawwali – Chand Ali Khan & Leo Twins combines the timeless essence of Qawwali with modern musical artistry. The legendary Chand Ali Khan and Ensemble in collaboration with the illustrious Leo Twins is at the Hackney Empire on 4 February. English Touring Opera return on 22 February with Bellini’s The Capulets and the Montagues a tale of two households at war and of two lovers in over their heads, doomed by the conflict between their families. Vincenzo Bellini’s gritty re-working of Romeo & Juliet is performed in the original Italian and is directed by Eloise Lally, who returns to English Touring Opera after directing 2023’s sumptuous Lucrezia Borgia. London City Voices: Rock Gods & Divas (11 April) will see a 300-strong choir coming to the Empire as they belt out iconic anthems from some of the most iconic names in rock and pop including Queen, Meat Loaf, Bon Jovi, Bowie and Lady Gaga. Be prepared for big songs and even bigger hair!
London Community Gospel Choir: Out of Many, One Voice celebrates the power and joy of gospel music in a soul-stirring concert. The performance offers a blend of traditional and contemporary gospel sounds and will play on 19 April. Award-winning singer-songwriter, musician, actress and bestselling author Delta Goodrem arrives at Hackney Empire with Mistaken Identity: A Night of Celebration on 14-15 May.
Finally, join some of your favourite CBeebies friends at the CBeebies Prom: Wildlife Jamboree (13 – 14 June) to celebrate the natural world at the spectacular Wildlife Jamboree with the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Prowl with the tigers, stamp in the snow, and hear the desert wind, as well as going on an adventure to find one of the tiniest creatures in the world. Duggee, Bluey, the Octonauts and lots more CBeebies friends invite you, and the most unusual animal guests, to join in with music, songs and lots of wildlife fun. The performances on Friday 13 June is free for schools in Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest and Newham! Please call the Box Office on 020 8985 2424 (Mon – Fri, 10am – 6pm) or email [email protected] for further details.
THEATRE, MUSICAL THEATRE & DANCE:
The beloved Stephen Sondheim’s musical Into The Woods, which intertwines classic fairy tales, exploring the consequences of wishes and the importance of community through memorable songs and rich storytelling, runs at Hackney 28 February & 1 March.
From 13 – 15 March, Cassa Pancho’s Ballet Black makes its return to Hackney Empire with SHADOWS. Featuring Pancho’s darkly comic new adaptation of Oyinkan Braithwaite’s international bestselling novel, My Sister, The Serial Killer and a new work by Brooklyn-born, award-winning choreographer Chanel DaSilva, making her British choreographic debut. The Hackney press night will be on Friday 14 March.
Featuring live narration by Michael Rosen, the award-winning SAD BOOK is adapted for the stage in this visually inventive, moving story of navigating complex emotions in the midst of everyday life. In this personal story of loss presented by 201 Dance Company, a father explores the disconnection between what we feel, what we show, and the different ways we deal with sadness. The story is retold through theatre, dance and animation with stunning original music, and plays on 2 April.
The Witch of Konotop (7 – 8 April) is a play that interweaves folklore, mysticism, and socio-political themes, exploring power, women’s strength, independence, and superstitions, while masterfully combining elements of comedy and drama. Directed by Ivan Uryvskyi, the play adapts Hryhorii Kvitka-Osnovianenko’s timeless story, filled with humour and archetypal conflicts between light and darkness, captivating audiences with its sharp cultural and emotional resonance.
As previously announced, Romeo and Juliet, a co-production between Hackney Empire, the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, and Bristol Old Vic will come to London 23 – 26 April 2025. Directed by Belgrade’s Creative Director Corey Campbell, with set and costume design by Simon Kenny and in collaboration with local Midlands artists That’s A Rap (lyrics), and A Class (music), this will be the original play, originally scored – with rap and R&B: a Shakespearean lyrical love story – for people who love the music of the spoken word of every generation.
The Cool Ruler: The Musical curates the story of the legendary Gregory Isaacs on stage with a live five-piece band, and sensational vocals from Terence Wallen. This unique story depicting the life and music of Reggae icon Gregory Isaacs plays 25 May.
TALKS AND LIVE PODCAST RECORDINGS
Brian Bilston and Henry Normal appear together for the first time in a show which has been described as “two people reading some poems” on 16 May. Along the way, they will be drawing on their vast catalogue of crowd favourites – and throwing in new poems, to prevent becoming their own tribute bands.
Ashley Walters: Always Winning (26 May) will see critically-acclaimed actor and director Ashley Walters taking to the stage, as he shares his extraordinary journey from musical stardom to triumphs in acting and directing, while overcoming personal setbacks along the way. From his early days as a member of So Solid Crew to Top Boy to recent hit Missing You, Ashley’s journey is a unique one.
Other live events include Gary Stevenson, Miss Me with Miquita Oliver and Lily Allen, Have A Word podcast, Two Dykes and a Mic and Sisters in the City Live.
PANTOMIME
Following the success of 2024 pantomime, Dick Whittington and his Cat, the theatre is pleased to announce the 2025 pantomime will be Cinderella, directed by Clive Rowe. Cinderella will play from 22 November – 31 December, with a press night on Thursday 4 December.
Cinderella dreams of a life full of love and adventure, and free from the clutches of her wicked Ugly Stepsisters and evil Stepmother. When an invitation to the party of the year arrives, it might be just the ticket she needs. Throw in some glass slippers, a fairy godmother, and a little sparkle of magic and you’ve got yourself a pantomime that’s guaranteed to be the perfect fit!