Morning:
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Sun sets on Hackney Empire
Tony Bassett24 Sep 2009
The Hackney Empire, the theatre which TV star Griff Rhys Jones helped restore, will close next year in an attempt to clear massive debts.
Simon Thomsett, its artistic director and chief executive, has left and a troubleshooter, Clarie Middleton, has been named interim chief executive to sort out a financial crisis that has escalated since the venue re-opened in 2004 after a £19.5 million refurbishment.
A debt of more than £1 million from the rebuilding work has been made worse by an operating deficit.
The Grade II listed theatre will continue to operate a full programme until the end of its pantomime, Aladdin, on 9 January. The main stage will then go dark for six to nine months, leaving most of the 30 full-time and other casual staff out of a job. Education and community work will continue.
Ms Middleton refused to discuss the size of the debt, and said performances had to stop while bosses worked out a rescue plan as they were the most risky part of the operation. “The business as a whole is not working. Unfortunately there will be redundancies as with reduced activity we will not need as many staff.” Ms Middleton has worked at the Exeter Northcott Theatre and the Bristol Old Vic which faced similar difficulties.
The Arts Council in London, which funds the venue, said: “The intention is that by 2011 there will be a reinvented Empire. The borough of Hackney and ourselves are really impressed by the plan the board has come to us with.”
The venue has received millions of pounds of public and private support, including £1.3 million from Lord Sugar in 2001.
The restoration led by Rhys Jones — who gave about £250,000 — included £3.85 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund, £5 million from the Arts Council and £3 million in urban regeneration cash. The theatre receives an annual Arts Council grant of £385,000 and up to £150,000 from Hackney council. It was intended that building debt would be offset by the sale of an adjacent building, but this remains unsold.
The Empire is regarded as one of the best theatres designed by Frank Matcham, who also built the Coliseum. It opened in 1901 and has hosted stars from Charlie Chaplin to Ralph Fiennes.
Reader views (4)
I totally agree with John; and I'd go a step further.
Me and my wife - who's a 'Friend of the Empire' - do go there on occasion. We'd go far more often however if we felt it actually had productions to offer us.
As risk of becoming a bit controversial, I feel that a large part of its problem is that the Empire has been trying so hard to be multicultural and 'inclusive' in its productions that it's completely alienated the majority of its potential audience, who are just looking for the mainstream.
Apart from the annual panto there - a consistently cracking good event - take a look at what else is on offer, and you'll see what I mean.
- Gareth W, London, 22/10/2009 15:01
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This is a tiny debt in relation to the value of the enterprise as a whole; stopping performances will stop the money coming in to repay it. Let the public know the true picture, and start a fund: 'if you do it, we will come.'
- Mdj E10, london uk, 24/09/2009 23:29
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This is a massive tragedy if it does happen - the regeneration of Hackney Empire has had a lot of popular support in the local area and it's a well-loved landmark across London as a whole - my family have gone several years running to the panto and my nephews love it. I know we would all be very sorry to see it go, both for ourselves personally and for the sake of Londoners who have put their hearts and souls into keeping the Empire alive!
- Alison, London, 24/09/2009 19:03
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I'm sad the Empire will be closing down, but I can't say I'm surprised. I live a short walk away from it yet haven't been to a performance there for over one year. Why?, simple - nothing on which took my fancy. To make money and stay open their programming needs to have more main stream items ( similar to the Wimbledon Theatre). I'm not saying totally commercial, but it has to have some. Before the closure for renovation there was an Almeida production of Hamlet with Ralph Fiennes at the Empire for six weeks ( or thereabouts) & it was totally sold out. More along these lines would help, even without that star name.
- John In Hackney, London, 24/09/2009 18:02
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