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Hackney Empire
Proscenium arch
he Hackney Empire is a theatre on Mare Street, in the London Borough of Hackney,
built in 1901 as a music hall. Hackney Empire is a grade II* listed building. The theatre
was built as a music hall in 1901, designed by the architect Frank Matcham. Charlie
Chaplin, WC Fields, Stan Laurel and Marie Lloyd all performed there, when the Hackney
Empire was a music hall.
ATV bought the theatre to use as studios in the
1950s, and shows such as Take Your Pick and Oh, Boy! were broadcast live from the venue.
Some scenes from Emergency - Ward 10 were also filmed there. From 1963 to 1984 the theatre
was used by the Mecca Organisation as a bingo hall.
