Tonight:
9°c
Some fares could fall by more than a third when Oyster is extended to every national rail station in London, it has emerged
More...
New Moon is nothing if not an international advertisement for the hungry virtues of virginity and young people can’t get enough of it
The Twilight Saga: New Moon
Theatre
A smart, prickly and rewarding view of sexual and emotional confusion
Cock
Restaurants
Kitchen W8 is a bargain for this area, if such sophistication is what you crave
Kitchen W8
Too long and drawn out but very entertaining with excellent special effects
This is a peculiar play and does not work for me. Some of it is very funny but there are real flaws
Alex has a strong powerful voice and was faultless, she is far better now than she was on the X-Factor
London,
Bruce Dessau's rating
Reader rating
Description: Tribute show in appreciation of retiring Time Out Comedy Editor Malcolm Hay, featuring Al Murray as the Pub Landlord, Omid Djalili, Mark Thomas, Milton Jones, Mitch Benn, Scott Capurro, Josie Long and MC Arthur Smith.
Trains: BR: Hackney Central 
Phone: 0208985 2424
Website: www.hackneyempire.co.uk
Email: info@hackneyempire.co.uk
Extra info: Pub
On the edge: Omid Djalili
September will be an interesting month for Omid Djalili if his debut prime-time BBC1 sketch show contains similar material to his stand-up act.
At the Hackney Empire last night the skilful comedian, whose parents are Iranian, wowed the crowd with some edgy humour light years away from Little Britain's fancy dress frivolity.
Djalili's brief set included an analysis of the way jokes vary around the globe: "An Englishman, an Irishman and a Scotsman walk into a pub. To you it's a joke. To an Iranian it's a hostage situation."
It will be fascinating to see how his pot-pourri of politics and populism plays out. Hackney certainly enjoyed it, except for a description of Tony Blair's Saddam-style execution - mainly because Djalili fluffed it rather than for its breaking of the taste barrier.
The first half of a long bill, compered by the ever-reliable Arthur Smith, was completed by playful storyteller Josie Long, who improves with each performance, and Scott Capurro. Even in these open-minded days this hugely experienced provocateur would not get a whiff of the mainstream with his set that took in crucifixion, the holocaust and baby murder. Yet his childish shock tactics went down a storm. The clapping was accompanied by the whirr of Mary Whitehouse spinning in her grave.
After clever musical parodist Mitch Benn, the show, in honour of retiring comedy critic Malcolm Hay, reached a sustained climax.
Mark Thomas raced through his subversive demo campaign that culminated in a Westminster banner saying "Stop Putting Bits In Cheese" before Al Murray's Pub Landlord called time with a demented refrain of Incy Wincy Spider.
Murray has shown that TV success can come without totally diluting your act. If Djalili can pull off the same trick we really do live in a tolerant land.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
